"Don't you know dese people gon rob you?" Day 42

Hello to you. I wish you happiness and love. Have a wonderful day and work week.

I would like to share with you an incident that happened to me when I visited Liberty City, in Miami, Florida. This incident happened summer of 2008.

I was taking names of people that were interested in working. I went into the corner stores, and I found many people in this area, just standing around, doing nothing. The stores are owned primarily by other ethnic groups. But anyway, I would stand at the entrance of the door and ask people, as they would come into to the store, if they were interested in working. I was there from about 12:00p.m., until 6:p.m.

However, as I was taking the names and numbers of the interested people, this one particular girl, who appeared to be lesbian, by the way she was dressed, asked me did I have any one with me, assisting in taking the names. When I responded "no". She immediately stared at me and said..."girl..wha chu doing here by yourself..don't you know dese people gon rob you?"

WHAT?

I was shocked and dismayed simultaneously that she could make such a bold statement.

Why?

Because it displayed what this girl thought of the people in her community. Her perception of them is that they are criminals with no good intentions. However, you look at this, she had tried to warn me that I should NOT be in her neighborhood. The people in Liberty City, will bring harm to me, was her warning. WOW.

I pondered on her statement for quite some time. I thought if she felt this way, how many other people feel the same way, and what about the children? How do the children in Liberty City feel about their community?

Do "they" believe that the people there are mostly criminals? If the children do believe this, what do they look forward to? Are the children in Liberty City... future "little criminals" waiting their turn? Analyze this.

If you have children who see criminals and thugs all day, how do you expect "these" children to turn out? What is the future for these children?

We have already established that children live what they learn. If "these" children learn crime, they are more likely than not..future criminals. Criminals are created not born. No child is born a criminal. They are a product of their enviroment. A product of an enviroment where they see crime committed on a daily basis. Where love and respect are just words thrown around like dirty laundry.

This past weekend, my daughter and I went to the cinema to see the movie "Fame". One of the characters is a Black male. He is always angry. His anger is acknowledged by his instructor. Why is this Black male angry?

I discussed this very subject with my daughter. You know what her (my daughter's) response was? "I know..."they" (Black males) are most always angry."

Black ghettos are creating criminals. This is a fact. This CAN NOT be factually disputed. It is like a manufacturing plant. Whatever is produced at the plant will be the final product. Crime is produced is most predominately Black areas. As a result, the older criminals produce younger criminals. The cycle is ongoing.

How do we resolve these problems? Another good question. My answers?

Education. Education. Education. Responsibilty. Responsibility. Responsibility. Televisions should be removed from all of the homes in the area replaced by books. The males should be required to wear belts in their pants. They should received a citation if their pants are not on the waist. All males 16 years of age and older MUST work, if they are not in school. Profanity prohibited in public places.

This is a beginning of what I like to call "Solutions for Black Youth". We have to start somewhere. Because I guarantee you if nothing is done....the "production line" will continue to produce the criminals that create hell for us all.

Think about it.

L. for Love