Common People Magazine

COMMON PEOPLE

ISSUE 1 YOUTH CULTURE

COMMON PEOPLE

Rebellion, non-conformity, creativity; it’s what your youth is all about. It’s about finding yourself and discovering the real you.

A publication based around the theme of youth culture, Common People diverts from your typical high-end magazine preferring real individuals over professional models.

This relatable publication delves into the lives of your average person on the street and digs deep to uncover the previously unheard voices.

Everybody has a story to tell.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 5 - 20 WHO AM I?

CHAPTER 2 21 - 30 A LETTER TO MY FORMER SELF

CHAPTER 3 31 - 48 SOCIETY KILLED THE TEENAGER

CHAPTER 1

WHO AM I?

WHO AM I?

9

Who am I? I am me.

The only me, that I can be.

12

14

Who am I? The answer isn’t on your birth certificate.

It isn’t even found in your genes.

We all write our own story, and mine begins in my teens.

I’m not the person you think I am: a rowdy, rebellious youth.

Many more things define me, and that’s the honest truth.

Rebellious because of the way I dress?

That’s’ just my personal style.

Youthful because of my young age?

Everyone is young for a while.

These factors don’t express who I am, deep inside my soul.

My heart is pure, I am gentle and kindness is my goal.

15

I wish I could be who you think I am, creative, confident and cool.

In fact, I’m quite the opposite, staying true is my only rule.

True to the morals that I was taught, loyal to those who care, those who don’t assume who I am, despite how I style my hair.

The way I dress, the paths I take, they’re my own personal choice.

The youths of today are often unheard; they need to be given a voice.

We may not be celebrities, or recognised on the street.

But we are just as important, we all have the same heartbeat.

Don’t assume an identity based on what you see, “Who am I?” I hear you ask.

Well, I am simply me.

20

Discovering who you really are can be a difficult task.

Just be you, no one else, don’t hide behind a mask.

I am me, that’s who I am, and you are simply you.

We are people surviving this life, give credit where it’s due.

Be a good person, refine the world, and make it a better place Life is better when you live it with a smile on your face.

That’s my story, not what you’d expect, at one single glance.

I hope you’ve learnt not to judge, everyone deserves a chance.

Who am I? Who are you?

What do we need to do?

The only thing you have to do is just be true to you.

CHAPTER 2

A LETTER TO MY FORMER SELF

A letter to my former self

25

28

29

30

CHAPTER 3

THE

SOCIETY KILLED TEENAGER

SOCIETY KILLED THE

TE EN AG ER

36

At least it almost did.

Usually when something is broken, you know about it. A light bulb will pop. A clock will stop ticking. With humans it’s not always that easy. Someone could be broken and you wouldn’t even know.

That was me not so long ago.

Wandering through the town centre with nowhere to go and no one to see, I would think to myself ‘could things get any worse?’ I was weak. I was vulnerable. I was alone. My fragile frame could barely support my few possessions any longer.

I’d have my old ragged sleeping bag slung over one shoulder and my prize possession over the other.

My guitar was given to me as a gift, just months before my father passed away. He was my hero. The one and only constant person in my life. The only person I could rely on. Losing him broke me. But society almost killed me.

Being homeless, people will look at you and sympathise. If they’re feeling generous they may even give you a pound or two just to help you survive the day. I was grateful. But no one would help emotionally. The looks of pity, and the stares filled with disappointment? They just put me down even more. I felt worthless.

My voice was silent, but my mind ran violent. How could people be so cruel? But that’s the society we live in today. You are judged based on where you come from, the people you associate yourself with, your intelligence and the way you look. You are judged based on every materialistic trait and every imperfection you have.

Every night, tears would roll down my face as the memories came flooding back. I had an amazing childhood. I had amazing friends and family who cared about me.

I’d lie there and think ‘what has become of me?’

Something had to change.

On occasions I would pluck up the courage to perform on the street.

My confidence began to grow and I started earning money for the first time in my life. How did I not see this before? It was so easy.

I turned my passion into a way of changing my life.

I hit rock bottom because no one ever believed in me. People said I would never make it. I was shot down so many times. But look at me now. No, I may not have the perfect life. But I believe in myself. My goals are so big, I feel uncomfortable telling them to small minded people.

41

But for now, I’m going to continue working at the youth club, helping out kids that are in the same position I used to be in. I get so much satisfaction from watching them grow, gain self-confidence, and make something of their life. I know they’ll be alright, just like I was.

If you are broken, please know you can be mended.

Don’t let society break you.

Society may be trying to kill the teenager‌ But not on my watch.

47

48

KE EP CLIM BING...

YO UR DE STIN ATIO N

IS CLOS ER THAN YOU THINK