Yesterday, Derrion Albert, a 16 year old honor roll student from Chicago lost his life to senseless violence. Derrion a student at Christian Fenger Academy became part of a gang melee which resulted in his being beaten to death (all caught on videotape which I refuse to post). Apparently, Derrion may have jumped in to aid a friend in need. As the mother of a teenager, I feel a personal connection to this story. Recently, my son told me of a similar situation where he was going to fight a rival group of teens in defense of his friend. I explained to my son that while being a loyal friend is to be commended, senseless violence is just that - senseless!
Rapper Nas was also moved by the incident and wrote an open letter to teenagers:
"Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong wars! Killing each other is definitely played out. Being hurt from the lost of a love one was never cool.
Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong war! I know that feeling, that frustration with life and needing to take it out on someone, any one. But....
We chose the dumbest things to go the hardest for. I remember seeing deaths over 8 ball jackets, Fila sneakers, and name plate chains. Deaths over "he say, she say"!!!!! "I'm from this block or I'm from that block", or "my moms n pops is f*cked up now the whole world gotta pay"!!!
I remember feeling like I was the hardest "n*gga" breathing. And I couldn't wait to prove it. But let's think. What are we really proving?? And proving what to who?? Everybody knows Chicago breeds the strongest of the strong but I just feel, me, being ya brother from another state feels your pain as if I grew up with you in ya very own household.
You have the ability and mindpower to change they way we are looked at. Look who's watching us young warriors, look who's throwing us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down. Loving to bury us in the ground or in jail where we continue this worthless war on one another.
Young warriors.... We are WASTING more and more time. We gotta get on our jobs and take over the world. Cuz this movie left the theaters years ago, Juice, Menace, Boys n the Hood , Blood n Blood Out, Belly!
When we see each other why do we see hatred? Why were we born in a storm, born soldiers, WARRIORS....and instead of building each other up we are at war with each other.. May the soul of this young person find peace with the almighty. I'm with you young warriors. You're me and I'm you. But trust me! you are fighting the wrong war."
Amen brother! Rest in peace Derrion Albert and God bless his family and the four teenagers charged in his death...Parents take this opportunity to talk with your teenagers!!!
Posted by:
on Sep 29, 2009
