Sí Trends

Imagine walking down your block and out of nowhere having 22 shots fired at you. Even worse, imagine three of those shots connecting with your flesh with one of the bullets embedded in your body forever because of its position-between your liver and kidneys. Hezues R, founder of Guns 4 Cameras, lived that reality. Fortunately, the frightful incident didn't kill the filmmaker but only made him stronger and much more compassionate. This survivor-turned-soldier started G4C in hopes of helping our youth avoid street life by giving them cameras in exchange for guns. Here he talks to Si Trends about his philanthropic deeds.

Si Trends: What is Guns 4 Cameras?
Hezues R: Guns 4 Cameras is a non-profit organization that I started in 2005. The message of the program is "aim to live," [and] to encourage that motto amongst disadvantaged youth. [The goal is] for them to give up a gun and pick up a camera and show them that there are other opportunities outside of their neighborhoods that they may not see.

Si Trends: What does "aim to live" mean?
HR: Aim to be passionate with anything and everything you do. Make the most of every situation and moment in your life. "Aim to live" is really universal.

Si Trends: What made you want to start Guns 4 Cameras?
HR: As a film director, it only made sense that I do something to give back [because of the] circumstances that I've gone through [and] where I've come from.

Si Trends: So, you're a director too?
HR: When I turned my life around, I started a media company called Eye On It. This year we have three shows signed to a major network, I directed my first feature film last year, and I've done a whole bunch of music videos.

Si Trends: How did Pharoahe Monch get involved with your program?
HR: He did a music video to promote the program and we went on a college tour together. We spoke at UCLA, NYU, and Temple; a few different colleges across the country. The Brady campaign has also been a big supporter of the program and they're one of the largest anti-gun programs in the country.

Si Trends: What advantages come from working with college students?
HR: College students sign up to create chapters of the program in their areas. We try to engage college students to volunteer to be the voices and workers of the program so they can go out to their local high schools and mentor those students.

Si Trends: What did you do before you got into all this?
HR: Not much of anything. At one point I didn't have much of a value for life period. I was just reckless and didn't care. When I realized that I do have power and a choice, it opened my eyes. Before that the world is so small to you; it's just your ‘hood. Part of the program is showing kids a bigger world and creating a value for life.

Si Trends: What do you think is the best way to foster a sense of value?
HR: It's a tough question because there are so many different layers of a person's behavior and the things that influence them, from media to family to poor education. You really have to have a winning ambition to break through all the bulls**t and see past it and want to rise above it. So to give someone that motivation is really difficult.

Si Trends: Well hopefully what you're doing with this program will help with these circumstances.
HR: Showing people my story has been effective. You can't really tell someone what to do; you have to lead by example. I can't tell anyone "go to college," or "do this or do that." I can just say, "Look at me, I was where you are and I'm doing this now." Every success I make is something I can show these kids. I know I have to be responsible as a role model to kids who look up to me.