Violence at school and beyond: Why did Derrion Albert have to die?
Warning: This topic has drawn a few troubling responses. In the past, I have deleted comments only to be told by many of you that you would rather see the ugly stuff and address it. You can object to comments by reporting them. Feel free, Maureen
I don’t know the answer to the teen violence that took the life of a Chicago honor student last week as he was leaving school and walking to his school bus. (Here is another AJC story on the killing.)
Before anybody here at Get Schooled launches into the predictable comments that this is a black problem, please recall that every mass school shooter in recent times here in the U.S. has been a white assailant, many of whom were from two-parent families. (I was thinking of k-12 shootings, but a poster points out that the VA Tech shooter was not white. He was Asian American.)
And this is not only a school problem, although it is magnified when it happens at or near a school. Schools can’t solve this alone with more school resource officers.
CNN has comments by Derrion Albert’s minister and the Chicago school CEO on the horrific and unprovoked attack that was caught on a cell phone camera and replayed nationwide.
Ron Huberman, Chicago Public Schools CEO: “How do we make sure this event doesn’t become another event? Another vigil on another day.”
The Rev. Michael Pfleger : “What kind of person, what kind of individual, has such rage and such anger and such madness. We’ve got to get to the hearts of our children, because nothing, nothing, excuses or justifies the actions of an individual who would beat another individual. Nothing justifies that in this society. It’s time for guns, and it’s time for two-by-fours to stop being the way we treat each other.”
Pfleger said it was time to make a change, so children aren’t afraid to go to or from school. He said teen violence was not just a crisis for Chicago where there has been a rash of teen deaths, but was happening all over, from “Oakland to Newark.”
As he spoke, the minister was flanked by people holding signs with photos of a young child and the words “Don’t shoot, I want to grow up,” according to CNN
Can this youth violence be stemmed or must we accept that it’s the wild west out there today?
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67 comments Add your comment
David J
September 29th, 2009
7:38 pm
CanTheyEvolve,
Do you remember the reaction when Dr James Watson stated he was inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa? Personally, I wish all races were equal but why should geographically separated peoples evolve identically.
Lee
September 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
Here you go, the COLOR OF CRIME. Lot’s of interesting statistics, all cited from sources such as the Dept of Justice, FBI Uniform Crime Statistics, and others.
http://www.colorofcrime.com/colorofcrime2005.html
I’m sure some of you will try to discredit this report. Go ahead and live your life with those politically correct blinders. Until one day you or your family is victim of a violent crime, most likely by a black or hispanic perpetrator.
Derrion Albert, the Jena Six, the LA Riots, the Bellville bus incident, the recent Cincinatti riots, and even the Mills Creek fight that made it’s way onto Youtube. How much more evidence do you need?
Take any city in America. Transpose a copy of the city’s demographics and the incidents of crime onto a city map. What would you be willing to wager that the crime rate and population of black and hispanics go hand in hand?
Those who think this is a recent phenomenom are fooling themselves. It’s just that now, there are more places under camera surveillance than ever before. Also, just about every cell phone can take a video. We just are exposed to more and more graphic examples of the inhuman behavior around us.
Thirty years ago, this would have been just another “gang related fight.” Thirty years ago, the Bellville bus incident would have been just a “simple fight between two students.”
Today, we know better. Open your eyes people.
By the way, what are the demographics of the school that you send your children? You know, your babies – the light of your life? Surely you wouldn’t intentionally put them in danger???
One word....WoW
September 29th, 2009
8:50 pm
I read these blog comments and it hits me that there are really people who harbour such prejudice in their hearts. Racial tension has and will continue to destroy this “Christian” nation. Sunday is STILL the most segregated day of the week. THIS is the problem. The hypocrisy of a nation that claims to be more than half evangelical Christian.
The fact still remains that there are many in this nation, though not all, who believe that the lives of some are not as valuable as others. They would NEVER publicly say it but it is there all the same like a cancer eating away at the nation.
I pray for the family of this young man. His life was valuable… especially to them. The pain of losing someone is universal. Let us all respect that.
Lets call a spade a spade
September 29th, 2009
9:09 pm
Lee
Excellent post!
Terry
September 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
I’m sorry Lee, but you’re talking out your hat. Sorry, not buyin’ it. I’d suggest YOU look up the Sothern Poverty Law Center Website.
Terry
September 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
Oh..to One Word… Great Post.
philosopher
September 29th, 2009
10:05 pm
V for vendetta- “In my opinion, saying that we’re all created in God’s image blah, blah, blah is just as ignorant as asserting that black’s are genetically inferior” …Actually, my statement about God is much more “ignorant” than saying that blacks are genetically inferior- The fact that blacks are not genetically inferior can be proven, right now, backed up by fact. My faith and belief in God is just that…MY faith and belief. But my faith and my belief drive my actions and treatment of my fellow human beings…it is to be respected and treated with dignity- just as I will treat your lack of it.
Lets call a spade a spade
September 29th, 2009
10:13 pm
“I read these blog comments and it hits me that there are really people who harbour such prejudice in their hearts.”
Why is, as I and some others see it, pointing out what we see to be the real problem instantly attacked as racist? I harbor no ill will to ANYONE. One poster stated “I’d suggest YOU look up the Sothern Poverty Law Center Website.” I would suggest that he read Daniel Moynihan’s report:
http://www.blackpast.org/?q=primary/moynihan-report-1965
Lee
September 29th, 2009
10:15 pm
Terry, you mean this SPLC?
http://www.thesocialcontract.com/artman2/publish/tsc_18_4/tsc_18_4_lamb_splc.shtml
A local chapter of the League of the South made its way onto SPLC’s nebulous “Hate Group” list. A visit to the web site of this chapter of the LOS listed their main activities as “civil war reenactments” and “maintenance of grave sites of the fallen soldiers of the War Between the States.” Both Confederate and Union grave sites, I might add.
I sure hope none of those hateful folks come around here with their weedeaters and leaf blowers. Maybe that’s it, they just hate dandelions.
ScienceTeacher671
September 29th, 2009
10:29 pm
Anyone remember the story of Cain & Abel?
Ole Guy
September 30th, 2009
12:15 am
This, like many problems, is a multi-causal situation…there are no wave-of-the-wand answers. However, for whatever it’s worth, I feel a major change in how we, mankind, view one another was incubated at about the same time the “self esteem” movement took root. At some point in time, some educational guru felt that kids should be made to feel extra extra special…more so than they really were. Along with this “movement” came a trend of noncompetitiveness, a feeling of: “…why bust my butt in order to achieve something when, in (perceived) reality, it’s mine for the taking; a birthright of sorts”. Consequently, there became a void in consequences…there would be no loosers, everyone would be a winner, and choices, good, bad, or indifferent, didn’t matter. The end result…a population completely devoid of fear (of failure) and fear (of making the wrong choice) because, VOILA, EVERYONE’S A WINNER. At some point in time, the reality sets in that (hm) maybe all that stuff was bull, maybe I need to experience controled failure in order to appreciate the fruits of honest effort. Result: FRUSTRATION WITHIN YOUNG IMMATURE KIDS.
just a thought
KDMack
September 30th, 2009
9:15 am
Enter your comments here
I have to agree that these teenagers are simply out of control. I personally believe it all starts at home we are seeing a generation of thugs being raised by pimps, strippers and rappers. If there is no role model at home to ensure there are consequences for your actions. It’s not possible for these students to interact with anyone who wants to learn. We keep listening to all this ignorant music promoting materialistic values of an upgraded lifestyle not once promoting education, dignity or self esteem. It will only get worse there is no HOPE and forget about President Obama as the great role model as these kids could care less. I do feel that some of the comments are racially bias; however, take a look and see what’s all around us “CRIME”. We have to stop blaming the media if we would stop acting like savages there would be no reports. I tell kids all the time this is what happens when you fail to get an education you are trapped in poverty which leads to a life of crime. It’s very sad; however, in some black households it has a been a generational cycle. I would love to know the backgrounds of the parent(s) of these thugs who committed this senseless crime.
philosopher
September 30th, 2009
9:18 am
Ole Guy- I can’t help but think the same as I observe many kids these days. Your point is well-said with all things being equal. However, all things are NOT equal. I doubt seriously that those kids who killed Derrior had any sense of entitlement or inflated egos from never being allowed to lose or fail…most likely, they have won at very little in life, failed before they got the chance to try and had no one to spread an easy path for them. That said, no words, no excuse, makes their actions acceptable…period. Nonetheless, if we don’t examine what we are doing as a society to create all this out-of-control fury, and total lack of respect for human life, we are headed down the proverbial slippery slope.
In the same vein, in reading some of the blogs and vents in this ajc, I am frightened at the blatant fury and hostility and lack of respect for each other in printed word-from adults, no less. Name calling, foul language and frank hatred is found in them everyday…accepted and allowed! I doubt that these feelings are not passed on to the kids…if you will print it, you will say it and it will be heard. Hatred, lack of respect for others, lack of manners, no sense of honor or lines that will not be crossed, is being passed on to our kids…dare we wonder what will be the result?
Deeply Sorrowful
September 30th, 2009
10:07 am
I am just finding out about this incident around 2a.m. EST. I have been up since that time, and I have been weeping for Derrion. I have been weeping for the souls that were involved. I have been weeping for his mother especially. This is a time for the intercessors of God to really pray and intercede for our young people. It doesn’t matter if he or she is black or white. God does not discriminate, so why address the issue about the color of someone’s skin? I’m pretty that there are whites and blacks doing the same thing all over the world; It’s just that some are exposed and some are kept under cover. But believe me it is happening. We are suppose to be the United States of America, but it looks like we are the divided states of America. We have to stand together and pull together. Let’s not judge anybody, but come together in prayer. A house divided cannot stand. If we are divided and refuuse to come together, then things like this will only get worse. There are so many mixed emotions concerning this matter. God is not responsible for anything that is evil. Satan is the culprit. God is GoOD and He is the author of all that is good. On the contrary, the dEVIL is evil and is the author of all that is evil. Satan has used our young people in more ways than one. Our young people are open prey to the enemy. This is why we need to pray for them.
The Truth
September 30th, 2009
10:11 am
Its funny (not the fight), you all say black people fight and to all these things but if you notice black people never come in schools in trench coats killing teachers and blowin up schools! This age and time is more violent also you know. The media doesnt portray white violence that much e ither if you notice…Conspiracy much?
Gabe
September 30th, 2009
4:20 pm
First off to CanTheyEvolve: You’re an ignorant douche bag… thanks for making white people look like morons.
2nd The key to non violence is a good upbringing and also determination to follow that path. Doesn’t matter what race you are, you decide how you will act. It’s a predetermined thing that you come up with yourself. And it’s a LEARNED thing. I don’t know what this particular issue was about but where I stay at in Chicago cousins in rival gangs fight and KILL each other. Why’s that? Because they weren’t taught respect for themselves and others and chose not to learn it either.
lareesssahhh
October 26th, 2009
1:05 am
I think the problem here is how the schools handle violence. I believe that school’s should own up to the responsibility of providing a safe place for students’ to learn, grow, and develop their morals and values. If every high school had a mandatory police officer in their school at all times I truly believe the number of fights and hate crimes would dramatically decrease. Censorship is a very sensitive subject for a lot of people because they feel that it violates their First Amendment rights but if schools were to censor the materials accessible to children I do believe that would make an enormous difference. Children spend a lot of time at school, allowing access to provocative books or articles, or even allowing for certain websites to be accessible sculpts the minds of our youth that is generally frowned upon in society. Children are most vulnerable when they are younger, so by only allowing them to access appropriate things inside of the school would have a positive impact upon the way they learn to handle problems when they are older, and how they should handle themselves when something doesn’t go the way they want. Kids would still have the right to talk freely at home, and by all means they should be allowed to voice an opinion at school, but schools should be taking responsibility to further prevent tragedies such as this one from further happening.