MTV, Kanye West Shine Spotlight On 20-Something Iraq Vets

New York Times:

Lorenzo Zarate sits on a couch and plays an Xbox game while a cameraman films him. Mr. Zarate, an aspiring rapper, thinks he is being featured in an MTV news segment.

Then Kanye West comes to the door. Once the surprise subsides and the two men settle down in the living room, the talk turns to "before I went" and "when I got back." Mr. Zarate, 24, is a veteran of the Iraq war who suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. He is also a member of MTV's core young demographic of teenagers and 20-somethings.

A recent MTV survey showed that nearly 70 percent of that demographic knew someone who had served in Iraq. "In some ways we think it's the defining issue of this generation," said Ian Rowe, vice president for public affairs and strategic partnerships at MTV.

With that in mind MTV is reinvigorating its get-out-the-vote campaign, "Choose or Lose," even though it has scaled back its news and documentary programming in recent years. MTV plans to cover the 2008 election largely by spotlighting a few of the roughly 1.6 million Americans who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr. Zarate's story will be featured in "Homecoming," an hourlong special about veterans presented by "Choose or Lose" and Mr. West on Monday night at 10.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

I saw this last night and it made me incredibly sad and very angry. The show chronicled two young men and one young woman who were suffering both financially and emotionally from their time overseas.

What really made me angry was hearing about how poorly they are being cared for upon their return from active duty. They all suffered from some degree of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but the same answer they all got was "take your pills and rest for six months....then try to recover from the financial ruin you'll face (by not working for six months) and find a job. Oh, and don't think the Army will take care of you after you're discharged because that's not our job. Thanks for your service!"

I always felt fairly well informed about these things, but I learned that I really didn't know just how much these service men and women suffer....and the suffering continues long after they leave their military careers behind.

[jukesgrrl]

Excellent move, MTV. These stories need to be told.

[moxieme]

I just hope the Gen-Xers will not return to apathy and cynacism as a result of the type of campaign being conducted by PaCain and the Repubs. GOTV! GOTV! GOTV!

[CtJean]

Off thread and redundant (I've been posting this all day)

O's birthday is August 4th

Let's give him the biggest $$ day in history

Please pass this on

[lisakaz2]

Sounds intrguing. I wonder if this is the program the McB--- ppl are targeting for their smear ads on O "flip flopping" on Eye-rak.

[HallStyle]

The Media FINALLY GETS IT RIGHT! They have finally found out who the real Kanye is. Yes he is a rapper who is out to make money. Yes he is a little narcisistic, but Kanye is very involved the community and politics.

[Cakey4814]

I am so proud of Kanye because the 20 something vets are the most ignored and they have there whole life ahead of them..this is good.

[barackobama4prez]

Good to see this happening. I think entertainers, athletes and stars can really make a difference by speaking out.