NAS ENCOURAGES YOUTH TO STOP THE VIOLENCE

By now, I'm sure you've read reports or watched the video depicting the brutal beating of Chicago teen Derrion Albert.  According to a mediator at CeaseFire, a Chicago community-based effort created to decrease street violence, Derrion told CeaseFire and several of his teachers that he was being bullied by gang members and pressured to join them.  Sadly, Derrion's cry for help fell on deaf ears.  He was left to defend himself against forces that he could not conquer alone. 

I pray that Derrion's story ignites parents, teachers, community leaders, and anyone who has influence over young people to take an active stand against violence.  We need the protectors of our children and communities to step up and stand in the line of fire.  We cannot continue to allow our children to take all of the hits.  We need fathers to adjust their own moral compasses so that their sons can follow them along a path that is good and just.  We must guide our young people in the right direction, so they can lead us into the future.   We cannot continue to lose our young people to senseless violence;  We must take a stand!  

Today, I read a letter written by Nas, a multi-platinum selling rapper, encouraging young men to stop killing each other in vain.

Nas writes:

"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’s , 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” breathin. And I couldn’t wait to prove it. But let’s think. What r 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 mind power to change they way we are looked at. Look who’s watching us young warriors, look who’s throwin us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down. Lovin to bury us in the ground or in jail were 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."

-Nas
Source: Global Grind

PLEASE, STOP THE VIOLENCE...R.I.P. Derrion Albert

If you live in the Chicago area and would like to learn more about CeaseFire, please visit www.ceasefirechicago.org