The amazing Tara Muldoon over at The Forgiveness Project (aka F-You) reached out to Manifesto for this amazing idea. While it took us a while to iron out the details, the two organizations are offering up a contest with a few pretty worthwhile prizes. Not only is the contest a great, ambitious project, the topics and focus of the written piece are dying to be discussed further, as it pertains to our beloved genre and culture of Hip Hop and its relation to Forgiveness. Check after the break for more information on the contest, prizes, topics, and contact info.

Deez Note: This comes back up to the top as Boi 1da's affiliate,  www.SoundHustle.com, is now involved with this project. Thanks for the support 1da and co!

Note from F-You, Manifesto, and SoundHustle:

The Forgiveness Project’s Writing Contest is open to everyone: Rappers, Writers, Poets and those who feel that their piece is worth sharing. We want to see how you interpret forgiveness with hip hop, how you feel they connect, and what common traits they share. Hip Hop, for both F-You and Manifesto, is a tool for communication, diversity, and cultural expression. Of course, Hip Hop has had its ups-and-downs as any person would, and we want you to explore this!

For our topic of Forgiveness, we suggest true life stories that are genuine are most effective when reaching a large group. From the following topics, choose one (1) and answer the questions accordingly in an essay format (between 800-1000 words):

-       Talk about one great forgiveness story in hip hop (there are many!). What does it mean to you? How do you think this story of hip hop forgiveness is applicable to situations outside of the music industry and into our every day lives and interactions with people?

-       Treating hip hop as a person, how would you say it is treated? What do you think Hip Hop would ask forgiveness for (if anything) or what would you forgive hip hop for?

-       Describe what you think the values and goals are of Hip Hop music and how it relates to the goals and values of The F-You project and Manifesto. Why do you think forgiveness is so integral to each of these institutions (hip hop, F-You, and Manifesto)?

In your piece, be sure to include:

-       Short descriptions of F-You and Manifesto

-       Your interest, if any, in hip hop music (non-hip hop fans are not disadvantaged!)

-       Correct grammar, punctuation, sentencing, and clarity.

-       Typed or handwritten, please double space.

-       Originality, creativity, characterization, artistry, and clarity of the theme

Rules

- Must be an original piece (If it has been published in another publication by you, it can still be submitted here if it is okay with the publisher)

- Short stories, poems, diary/journal entries are fine, as long as it pertains to the topic

- One (1) entry per contestant. If submitted multiple entries, only the first will be looked at

- All entries need to be submitted (see below) before AUGUST 10TH, 11:59 PM ET

- Keep in mind the word count and try your best to stay within those boundaries

- Winners will be selected by a committee of judges comprised from the F-You Board of   Directors and members of the Manifesto team.

Prizes

- First Place: The winning piece will be published in the official Manifesto Magazine (and blog) and the Forgiveness Project Website. They will also have the opportunity to read their piece at an F-You Project event.

- Second Place: The runner-up will have their piece published on the Manifesto blog and get to connect with the great writers and creative thinkers of the Manifesto online team.

- Third Place: The second runner-up will receive a shirt and journal courtesy of F-You

How to Submit Entries

- Submissions can be made either via Mail or E-mail (Addresses are below) before August 10th at 11:59PM ET. If submitting electronically, send it in an email as an attachment in a word processing document (i.e .doc or docx).

- Include your Name, Address, Phone Number, E-mail Address, City & Country, and a short little biography about yourself

E-mail address: FUMancontest@gmail.com

Mailing address: c/o F-You Writing Contest. 215 Fort York Boulevard. Unit 3205.Toronto, ON M5V 4A2

The winners will be notified via Email or Phone

Privacy Policy:

F-You: The Forgiveness Project and Manifesto does not release or sell customer or contest entrant information to third parties or mailing lists, nor will you receive telephone solicitations, whatsoever.

Rights:

All poems and stories remain the property of the artist who wrote or created them.  By submitting a poem/story for this contest, the artist may also be eligible for the publication of her or his work in the Manifesto Magazine and or Forgiveness Project Newsletter.

For further information, contact:

TARA MULDOON

twitter: @gangsTARA

PIN: 272CBA3E

EMAIL: taramuldoon@gravityaffect.com

or

SEAN DEEZILL

twitter: @seandeezill

EMAIL: seandeezill@gmail.com

Visit: www.TheManifesto.ca and www.gravityaffect.com/f-you/ for more information