Stop Black on Black Crime - Enough is Enough!

Killing one another by means of a gun, drugs or any other type of violent acts, to resolve a dispute will never be the answer.  Innocent bystanders are being severely injured and/or murdered (someone's mother, brother, sister, son, daughter and friend). We must say out loud, Stop killing one another - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We must find a better way to settle our differences and bring peace to our communities. 

The anger we feel when we hear about a white person (a cop, a KKK member and the like) killing a black person, should be multiplied by 100!  Where is theoutrage when it comes to killing one of our own?  Why have we become immune and anesthetized to these horrific acts of violence?  When will we hold ourselves accountable and take action?  Each and every one of us (regardless of race, but especially those of African decent) has a responsibility to lead the next generation.  This responsibility starts with education.   

It is up to us to change the mentality of the young people today and guide them into a more promising future.  Children learn by example and mimic what they see and hear.  Unfortunately, many of our youth that reside in underserved communities, don't have good role models to idealize and duplicate their lifestyles after.  The responsibility starts within the home, but it most certainly does not end there.  We must take precaution in the way we convey our messages everywhere ~ in the school system, in the music we make, the television shows and movies we create, the books we write, the way we portray ourselves in the media and on the streets and various other sources that children have access to.   

Parents €“ our children are crying out for help (our help)!  They want our affection and most of all, our attention.  A lot of parents overcompensate with material things (for example, all the bling and the latest fashion) in exchange for the quality time we need to be spending with our children.  That is not acceptable!  It is not possible to watch our child every second of the day, but we shouldn't think the impossible.  We have to think about what we can and will do to make a difference in these youngsters' lives.  We have to stay in tuned with our children's whereabouts, know who their acquaintances are, what they are learning in school and how well they are doing academically, behaviorally and emotionally.  This is both reasonable and doable.   There is just no excuse to not be involved!  We owe them that much (in the very least) and it doesn't take a miracle to make it happen.  It takes willingness, courage, love and common decency from people who care. 

Statistics show that Black-on-Black crime has been the leading cause of death among black males and the second leading cause of death for black females in this century.  This is a critical issue and one that demands our attention and needs to continue to be addressed until it has ceased!  It has manifested itself as if it were a communicable disease that has spread world wide.  Just as it has taken years to become this large, it may possibly take that many more years to combat such a huge issue, IF not enough concerned citizens take action FAST!   

This replica of a disease, if you will, has taken the lives of an astounding and astronomical number of too, too many.  However, like any other disease, it is imperative that we educate and encourage a different mind-set.  It is equally important that we walk and talk the language of self-love, self-worth, self-pride and self-esteem, which is a universal language by the way; and have that take the world by storm as if it were the latest epidemic.  There is lack of hope at all levels within the black community, but when we love and respect ourselves, we can instill the same values in our children and allow them to pass it on to theirs.Black-on-Black Crime needs to stop, ya'll can't blame it on hip-hop; €˜Cause what we say, is what we see and what we see is reality; The ghetto's, the ghetto, we have to live in the sorrow; so we can live to see tomorrow€ Wyclef Jean

We should not allow this vicious cycle to go on for generations, no more than we continue to tolerate bigotry, police brutality, high school shootings, terrorist acts, hate crimes or putting up with any other insidious behaviors.  It's pretty elementary if you think about it.  Every cause has an effect.  The causes here are multiple.  It is the manner in which our kids learn, the way they view themselves and their surroundings, the knowledge that help is not readily accessible to them and not having the resources to connect to or become a part of a solid union.  The effect is the crimes committed because of not knowing how to deal with the cause(s).  Giving our children other avenues to vent about their frustrations, taking the time to realize their wants and needs, providing guidance to veer them away from their unwanted circumstances and being a positive re-enforcement in their young lives is a darn good start!  As the old cliché goes ~ It takes a village to raise a child€ and no one said it was going to be easy. 

Here's something to think about: 

If we don't give our children time, the system will€ - Xavier Aritist 

Make a pledge to rescue our youth TODAY: 

Young women, young men of color, we add our voices to the voices of your ancestors who speak to you over ancient seas and across impossible mountain tops. 

Come up from the gloom of national neglect, you have already been paid for. Come out of the shadow of irrational prejudice, you owe no racial debt to history. The blood of our bodies and the prayers of our souls have brought you a future free from shame and bright beyond the telling of it. 

We pledge ourselves and our resources to seek for you clean and well furnished schools, safe and non-threatening streets, employment which makes use of your talents, but does not degrade your dignity. 

You are the best we have. You are ALL we have. You are what we have become. 

We pledge you our whole hearts from this day forward. 

By Maya Angelou

 A few hours of your time in a month can make a lifetime difference to a child.