26June2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
Another young life was stolen from us last night. Chastity Turner might have been the first female President. She could have been anything she wanted, but now we’ll never know because of our apathy towards certain neighborhoods and cultures. Not everybody who lives on the southside is a gangbanger and no one deserves what happened to Chastity.
When are we going to say THAT’S ENOUGH and demand better for our neighborhoods and lives? When are we going to stop saying “Not my problem” and take an active role in bettering the lives of our children and their families? Chastity is our sister, our daughter, our niece, our friend. She deserved better. She deserved more than nine years on this planet.
I just read that a 17 year old has been arrested for her murder. This is a murder that could have been avoided. We gave up on that 17 year old years ago. We labeled him as a “gangbanger” or “hopeless”. I’m not making excuses for him. What he did was completely wrong and he needs to be punished, BUT it’s true that it was an avoidable crime. We have lost two young lives with this murder. Let’s not lose anymore. Let’s not continue to make the same mistakes.
Time to get up, get out, and do something.
Build Chicago
Black Star Project
Chicago Volunteer
21June2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
1. Malcolm X.
Malcolm X may not have been around for most of his daughters’ lives, but he left them (and us) with inspiration to do more to change the world. Through his speeches and writings, he challenged us to be better people and give the next generation more than we were given. One of my favorite Malcolm X quotes is: “…Look at yourselves. Some of you teenagers, students. How do you think I feel and I belong to a generation ahead of you - how do you think I feel to have to tell you, ‘We, my generation, sat around like a knot on a wall while the whole world was fighting for its hum an rights - and you’ve got to be born into a society where you still have that same fight.’ What did we do, who preceded you ? I’ll tell you what we did. Nothing. And don’t you make the same mistake we made….”
2. Torii Hunter.
Torii Hunter grew up with a father who only decided to show up when it benefited him. He stole, lied, and cheated his way around Torii’s life. Not only did this not keep Torii from the big leagues, but it also didn’t stop him from being a good father. One of my favorite parts of Torii’s story is that he has forgiven his father which is really the most important lesson we can all learn. Even if our dads weren’t around, we can’t keep blaming them for our failures. It’s okay to forgive.
3. Barack Obama.
He is more than a father to his two daughters. He is a father to each of us. Most of us can relate to his story of growing up with an absentee father. He didn’t allow this to keep him down and neither should we. If the “most powerful” person in the world can make time for his family, then all of us can.
2. My brother, Jon.
Here’s another example of someone who grew up without a present father, but was still able to overcome that and make a success of his life personally and professionally. Sure, I may be biased because I love my brother more than anyone I’ve ever known, but even you would agree that he deserves to be on this list. He is an amazing man and an even more amazing father. He’s been overseas fighting unjust wars for most of his childrens’ lives, but that doesn’t stop him from being a great dad. He lives his life for these kids and it’s obvious.
1. You and Me.
Like I’ve said before, you don’t have to be a father or even male to make a difference in a child’s life. Our youth need us. Time to step up to the plate and make an impact. Stop bitching and start a revolution, right? The revolution starts now with you and me. Do something.
21June2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
I can honestly say this is the best I’ve felt on a Father’s Day in my entire life. I’m finally able to believe it when I say that fathers aren’t really necessary to be successful. The only thing that matters is that our children have positive and actively involved male and female role models in their lives. Look at our President. He seems to have done just fine with an absent father.
Now I’m not saying that being a good father is not important. I have quite a few friends and brothers who are amazing fathers. Their children are going to grow up having the dads who kiss their foreheads at night and give them piggy-back rides when they’re tired from walking. These children are growing up in supportive and loving environments. That is not to say they’re at an advantage from the rest of us though. We can and will do just fine, but it will take more work than if we had our dads actively involved in our lives.
7June2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
Once again, John Kass has it all wrong. He states that the problem is “thugs with guns”. No, Mr. Kass that is not the problem. “Thugs with guns” as you call them, are the direct result of us not dealing with the problems in our innercities. Stop bitching about throwing urban youths in jails and start volunteering your time to try to keep these kids off the street in the first place.
2June2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
They charged 2 in CPD officer’s death. Let me first say that I am in NO WAY trying to make excuses or justify what these men did. It’s a horrible crime, and they need to be punished.
BUT
What makes 20 and 21 year old men get to this point in their lives? When did they give up? When did others give up on them? Was there a point where they needed us and we turned them away?
We cannot continue to give up on our youth and then act surprised when events like this occur. What are we doing to give these kids options in their lives? What are we doing to deter them from gang activities?
1June2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
Nas is the peanut butter to my jelly.
Hero - Nas
8March2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
Carnell Pitts, we will not let you be forgotten.
24February2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
If you’re so angry, what are you going to do about it? Complain and moan about your dissatisfaction or get out and try to change things? Hide out in a “safer” community or volunteer in yours? It’s time to put away the childish games and get on with it…making a difference that is.
Maya Angelou once said, “Bitterness is like cancer it eats upon the soul, but anger is a fire and burns it all clean.” Time to unleash the fire and bring about change.
Do Something
Volunteer Match
19February2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
Here’s hoping Curt Schilling needs wrist/hand/finger surgery so he can’t blog anymore. Somebody hand that man a ketchup packet…
18February2009
Posted by nico under: Life as we know it.
Before I start, I want to remind everyone that the Obama team has been at the helm for less than a month. LESS THAN A MONTH. Okay now that I’ve made that clear…
All of the complainers, whiners, and all-around bitter, apparently in the chips folks need to step up and actually start doing something if they’re that unhappy. Whining doesn’t change a damn thing. Now I realize that these whiners don’t value my opinion because I have yet to procreate, don’t attend an “acceptable to them” church, work for a non-profit under a federal grant (should I go on?), but I figured I’d give it to them anyway (as if any of them venture outside of the realms of Hannity/Limbaugh/etc to read my blog).
