Many people just sit back and complain about things, while others stand up and take action. The few who choose to do something are the ones who make a difference; they live the change they want to see in this world. RZA, leader of the Hip Hop group Wu-Tang Clan, is one such person.
The rapper-producer said that chess has had such a positive influence in his life, that he has made a donation to the Hip-Hop Chess Federation to bring the game to juvenile inmates in St. Louis, Missouri. The program targets at-risk youngsters in what’s dubbed “Chess and Life Strategies.” RZA will remain a board member of the non-profit chess program and directly affect the future of the organization.
In October 2015, the multi-faceted musician, producer, and filmmaker, spoke with 400 high school students from St.
Louis Ferguson.
“Chess study, along with martial arts, along with music — is the best way to help develop your mind and body and protect you from pitfalls in life that will surely come at you,” RZA said.
Talking to the juveniles, he said that people don’t analyze their actions and the possible consequences beforehand. Relating life to chess, he says that one has to understand the next move and the possible implications so that they can make sound decisions.
“Y’all are in here for not controlling your energy, yo,” RZA said at the juvenile hall. “You are here now for not being analytical about the results of the actions you have taken.
I’m the last one to talk in some sense. I’ve been through the same system…Me and my brother got our first gun, when I was 11 or 12…Riding NY city busses looking for what they call, a ’vic.’”
“It’s a game of chess in one sense, but in another it’s a study of life. We in the Hip-Hop Chess Federation are striving to bring awareness to American’s, to Black youth, but to the whole of American youth… That chess study, along with martial arts, along with music- is the best way to help develop your mind and body and protect you from pitfalls in life that will surely come at you.”
RZA believes that his love of chess, and the positive impact it has had on his life, is worth sharing with today’s youth. In addition to the numerous roles he plays professionally, RZA is a also competitive chess player who has headlined many events.
Through the Hip-Hop Chess Federation, he hopes to encourage many young people, particularly youth of color, to embrace chess and, subsequently, inspire analytical thinking.
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