What is the State of the Black World?-The Killing of Derrion Albert

RealTalkXpress-JasiriX-450

Share/Bookmark//

JasiriX-OneHood-225Whenever we witness horrific tragedies like the cold-hearted murder of our brother Derrion Albert, this society seeks to assign blame, instead of accessing the problem. Therefore much of the discussion after watching Derrion’s shockingly brutal beating was whose fault was it. So we all begin to search for scapegoats, whether we say it’s the parents for failing to raise them right, the schools for failing to teach them right, the religious institutions for not doing enough to reach out to them, or rap music for promoting sex and violence. Some have even called for the National Guard, anything to absolve ourselves of any work or responsibility.

But the late great Michael Jackson said it best in the song, “Man in the Mirror”, “who am I to be blind pretending not to see their needs”. We know many parents are struggling, whether it’s with employment, single parent households, drug abuse, or being teen parents. We know the schools are getting worse especially after Bush took a wrecking ball to them called “No Child Left Behind”. We know religious institutions in a large part are getting older and out of touch with today’s youth. And we damn sure know that a majority of what passes as rap music and ends up on the radio is violent and misogynistic.

Chicago Beating Death VigilIf anything Derrion Albert’s death should show us that we can’t just keep our head in the sand and think just because we’re personally doing OK that the suffering of the masses of our people won’t touch us. Derrion was a honor roll student who loved school, attended church and couldn’t wait to go to college, but because his environment didn’t foster these same ideals he fell victim to the mean streets of the “hood”. Just a few days earlier a 5 year old was shot and killed here in Pittsburgh. What did he do to instigate his death? I remember vividly the last time I visited Chicago (my hometown by the way) I received a frantic call that one of my cousins was shot, he had just graduated high school and like Derrion was eagerly awaiting college. He was on his way home from his job when he was caught in the crossfire of two rival gangs. It is only by the grace of God he’s still alive, and needless to say he wants to stay at school rather than come back home to Chicago.

What I’m saying is that all of us are to blame. We know the problems and many of us do little to nothing to help. If we start with the “Man in the Mirror” we can all do so much more to effect a positive change in our communities. But we truly must start now because our lives and the very lives of our children may depend on it.

As soon as I finished writing this I came across this link that sadly further proves my point

13 year old shot and killed by a 16 year old

 

This Week With Jasiri X-Episode 20, examines who’s really to blame for the death of Derrion Albert and the innocent victims of our violent communities. “What’s the State of the Black World?” was produced by Religion and Directed by Paradise the Arkitech

Return to RealTalk Express

Return to Davey D’s hip Hop Corner

Archives

Comments

  1. Robert Jr. James McClendon says

    “What I’m saying is all of us are to blame. We know the problem and many of us do little to nothing to help.” – Damn, that’s deep. We got people diligently “defending” ignorance and the people giving our youth an introduction to prison with the subliminal lyrics in music, no snitching, saggin’ pants, ect. Legal “parole models”. When we don’t speak out (snitch), we are condoning the problem. I BLAME EVERYONE ON THIS SITE WHO DON’T SPEAK UP ABOUT IGNORANCE. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE “ADULTS”.

  2. Illuminassasinator says

    “I BLAME EVERYONE ON THIS SITE WHO DON’T SPEAK UP ABOUT IGNORANCE. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE “ADULTS”.” – Robert Jr. James McClendon

    What are you bitchin’ about? I always speak up and address your ignorance.

  3. Robert Jr. James McClendon says

    You are a child, buddy. How old are you? I’ve been writing about and critiquing Rap Music while you were still in your fathers nuts. You jews kill trying to pass as Black people kill me.

  4. Carl Lawson says

    What happened to Mr Albert was a shame. And our community has itself to blame, as does society at large. Lets just not forget that Mr. Albert joined that fight that took his life. That point isn’t made popular, but watch the video and read the article in the Chicago Tribune.

    Yes he was an honor roll student, but he voluntarily took part in a feud which he hadn’t pledge allegience to either side. And was beaten by both sides.

  5. Robert Jr. James McClendon says

    Carl Lawson, I said the same thing on another site and it wasn’t popular, but let’s tell the truth – you dress like a thug, wear braids like a thug, wear your pants saggin like a thug, win’t snitch like a thug, try to fight like a thug… My son is an honor roll student, but my child student I.D. doesn’t look like his. You hit on something Black people don’t like to deal with, Bro. – TRUTH! ‘MY BABY AIN’T NEVER HURT NOBODY!” We know the problem, just ain’t no jews paying you negroes to do right… You people are SORRY!