This morning, I watched a neighborhood line up to pay their respects to Jahalal Lee.
This afternoon, I watched a community mourn as they rolled the casket out of the church.
This evening, I watched a family breakdown as they had to bury their 18-year-old son.
Jahalal Malik Lee. Born December 16, 1990, was shot and killed September 21, 2009 on the corner of Herkimer st. and Rochester ave. in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, New York. For the first three years, he attended Far Rockaway High School, and because of some issues regarding gangs and continuing his education, he transferred to Boys and Girls High School 3 weeks ago. Sources said he was on his way home one evening and was approached by four males. Words were shared and he pushed his way past, deciding to not deal with them. The males chased him and less than 20 feet from his front door; he was shot in the back of his head. He was 18 and he definitely didn't deserve that... no one deserves that, but HE ... no, NO ONE deserves that.
Too many times, especially in 2009, we hear about these people dying, but there are too many times where it is someone young and full of life. Teens living in cities are dying well before their time. Parents are forced to bury their children, and that's a serious problem. But you know what else a serious problem is? Our society. There are too many people who will sit here and read this and think "Well, what did HE do? What did HE say to the boys, or was HE in a gang?" True, these questions are valid, but the bigger questions are, "What did WE do? What did WE say when we saw the confrontation going down that night? Where were WE when he felt like he had no one to turn to?" I don't expect anyone to go out and be a superhero and fight my battles, or the next guys’ battles, but I grew up hearing "It takes a village to raise a child," and that's the truth. I was lucky enough to grow up with both my parents in the house, but I have learned PLENTY lessons from those around me. We tend to cast youth off and blame them solely for what they do. Tyra came on today with these girls who were between the ages of 13 and 15 and were having unprotected sex/multiple partners/allowing themselves to be recorded during sex/experimenting with drugs/etc. When they were asked why they thought this was okay, they responded "It makes me feel good, like he loves me." Yes, the acting out IS from them, they are to blame, but where were the mothers when they were sneaking around? What is happening in their home where they can ONLY feel loved and sexy when with a man?
So now you might think, "I ain't raisin nobody else's kid! I got my own problems to worry about!" But what happens to being a role model? Because, no matter WHOM YOU ARE, there is always someone looking up to you. If it isn't a younger family member, then it's a younger neighbor. If not that, then it’s a friend who might not be as put together as you are. With this I ask, live your life as if it's something to be proud of. BE PROUD of yourself, but also, try and live your life as if when you looked back on it, you won't be ashamed. Setting a good example starts from within. Start from yourself and work outwards. LEAD FROM EXAMPLE. Preach the word AND live the truth. I honestly feel that with the proper mentoring, we can change the world.
