Editor’s letter: The Take Control Issue

Even before the riots that took place at the beginning of August, too many times negative images of young people are scattered across the media. Yes, I believe our society is breeding a generation lacking substantial skills, training and qualifications, unconvinced they will achieve anything productive in their lives, devoid of aspiration.

However, on the flip side there are many young people who play active roles in their communities and who are articulate, hardworking, motivated individuals committed to making a success of their lives in any way possible. It is these young people we celebrate and provide a platform for – because if it weren’t for you, there would be no Flavour!

Flavour was created to showcase the many 16-30-year-olds doing amazing things and to inspire our readers. When I hear about some of the incredible achievements of our readers and the people featured on the pages of this mag, it makes me feel extremely proud and hopeful.

Every day I get asked, ‘Why doesn’t Flavour write about gossip or tell us we should only let size 8-10 girls enter Miss Flavour?’ Well, I figure that you get fed enough of a toxic diet of vanity, profanity and overt sexuality elsewhere, so the less we can contribute to that the better. I’m more interested in finding out how motherhood has changed Ms Dynamite and Jill Scott; about the ‘never give up’ attitude of Ed Sheeran, which enabled him to ride high at the top of the charts; and discovering young and ambitious people like magician Damien O’Brien and comedian Lee Nelson and seeing how their careers have progressed. All of which you can find out once you read this issue.

Also in this edition, Russell Simmons, Ginuwine and Aloe Blacc provide educational and inspiring words that will leave you with plenty of food for thought.

It’s an unsettling time for us all at the moment and the riots have brought out the worst in some people and the best in others. Now it’s time for us to work together and denounce any prejudices that try to corrupt the good thoughts and ideas of the majority.

What sort of country do you want to live in? What sort of person do you want to be? The choice is yours.

Editor-In-Chief
Annika Allen
Tweet me @annikaallen

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Also check out some of these behind the scenes pics from the issue: