Meet Zerric Clinton | Author of The Power of Popular Culture in Education: History, Music, and Visual Imagery.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zerric Clinton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zerric, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Well risk taking to me is just a part of really living. If we just do the same thing day in and day out are we really living or just existing? Personally, I don’t believe that people are on earth just to exist. Without risk their is nothing new that happens and if that is the case how do we as people make progress. When I am considering a new endeavor I often think of this quote by Frederick Douglass, “Without a struggle, there can be no progress.” I am often asked where I am from and when I tell people sometimes they are surprised. I assume it is because I was basically raised in a small town and grew up working on a farm. To me, this type of hard work helped shape me. Another thing that shaped me in terms of not being reluctant to take risks was having family members telling me that I would be successful at any career that I chose. As a child I didn’t really know what that would require, but I began to think about what I wanted to do and I knew that it would require me to take risks. For instance, upon deciding to pursue a doctoral degree was a huge step for me because there was nobody I could go to and ask what to expect because I was the first one in our family to complete a doctoral degree. This was one of the hugest risks I have taken to date. This risk was worth it though. After I received my doctoral degree three of my younger cousins have now became doctors and I am so proud of their accomplishments because each of them were willing to also take the risk.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well, my book The Power of Popular Culture in Education: History, Music and Visual Imagery is a culmination of years of research on the way that popular culture influences adolescents. It all started when I was a doctoral student searching for a topic that I wanted to research and write about. In my high school art room I noticed how some of my students’ styles of dress, they way that they talked and the way that they interacted with one another was getting them in trouble. I started to dialogue with them about why they liked certain things and quickly realized that they were mimicking what they see in pop culture. Subsequently, I decided to conduct a study on it. I learned a lot, but at that time I did not have any real solutions that educators could use to help our students. Five years later as I was still researching the same topic I decided to take on the task of writing a book that could help our students. This was not an easy task and I had to gain insight from many people along the way. Especially, at those points where I was unsure about how useful it would be. So, I actually worked with a consulting agency to research this and they were right saying that this book would be a valid resource for educators and parents alike. The review that follows tells me that is was worth the risk. This is a must have guide for all looking to engage students using popular culture. It is a comprehensive resource covering topics including popular culture, history, visual imagery, and music. The book explores the origins of Black Music and its evolution. It also provides insight on how history impacts popular culture by diving into Black History from the transatlantic slave trade to modern day civil rights and social justice movements. Additionally, the book highlights research on using popular culture in classrooms to engage students.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta has a lot to offer. I would start with the High Museum of Art for sure. There are so many works of art that you can stay there all day and enjoy the art. Next, I would take them by my art studio and the art studios of some of my fellow artists. Just being able to see works in progress is inspiring. Since this would be a week long trip I would definitely take them to the following restaurants: Nan Thai Fine Dining, The Varsity and Atlanta Fish Market. We would definitely check out sporting events and go to listen to some top level jazz music.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
From a foundational perspective my parents deserve the most recognition for instilling in me at a young age that being average was unacceptable. Pushing me in academics compelled me to establish a high standard for myself. My high school art teacher also deserves a lot of recognition for the things that I have been able to accomplish. She was the person that really gave me a roadmap to how I could study to be an artist and educator. I actually received my undergraduate degree from the same college that she graduated from. In terms of becoming an author I have to say that my students are the main reason that I decided to take the risk and write a book. The book is really for them and all the other young minds that could benefit from the things that I have researched and learned over the years about the ways that popular culture impacts people.

Website: http://www.zerricarts.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zerricarts/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zerric-clinton-1299b284/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zerric.clinton/

Image Credits
Madison Easley Andrew Clinton