RIP Derrion Albert Gone but not forgotten

It has been a little bit since my last post. Tradgedy has struck the Southside of Chicago.  A young 16 year old honor roll student was beaten to death in front of a crowd that was being video taped and NOBODY tried to stop it.  While a lot of what happened is clouded by rumors there are some things we know.  Derrion was not in a gang and he was a good student this kid had a future that didnt involve Cook County Correctional.  The kids who are being charged with his murder are between 16 and 19 years old.  Two rival gangs were fighting (does it really matter why) and poor Derrion was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  As he is being beaten to dealth the person video taping is sounding like he is enjoying the whole performance...You can clearly hear a female in the background cheering "Do him in, Do him in". Finally, we know somebody set this childs memorial on fire...

There is rumored to have been two police officers that watched it all go down waiting for backup to intervene.  Originally, I was angry but I think I understand it now.  What could they do shoot the attackers then it would be there go the chicago police killing our kids again. And please dont think I am standing up for the chicago police cause in my opinion they are a big part of the problem.

The rumor is there was a shooting earlier in the day involving these two gangs at the school.  If that is so then why wouldnt the chicago police have put extra security in place after school that day...

In the video you hear a number of horns honking cause fighting kids had taken over the street...Not a single citizen took it upon themselves to get out and try to get some order to the chaos and maybe save a life.  Fear is No excuse, this is our city is this where and how we want to live.

I have not gotten any peace in the fact that three of these MONSTERS are in custody.  I want the parents investigated.  I keep hearing excuses on product of environment but that is just bullshit.  We have enough examples of good folks making it out of some of the worst hoods in america and thriving...Most have one thing in common, family who cared.

Parents we are responsible for what our children become instead of letting our kids wanna be like Scarface can we not hold up someone positive. I have noticed children who do good in school in poorer neighborhoods are ridiculed for being smart, and sometimes it is the parents doing it.  Other parents are too self absorbed in what they want to even be concerned over what their child is doing.

It has been said a million times, you need a license to drive a car but anyone can have a kid...It seems backwards.

So here are some Jen hard truths people

1. if you cant take care, afford, monitor, or properly parent the kids you have then stop haveing them.
2. stop stigmatizing people for being smart and propping up Gangsta Mac who always got the flyest cars and the baddest bitches.
3. Stop thinking you are a product of your environment and change your own destiny...No one is going to do it for you. We make our own choices in this life.  To join a gang or not, to kill a person or not. to not value human life.
4. The people who did this were monsters, any potential they may have had ended when they joined a gang, after watching the tape these three were murderers who seemed to relish taking this innocent boys life.
5. It is not acceptable or understandable for any reason. There is no excuse.
6. We need to take back our streets and neighborhoods or stop complaining that all the good folks are moving out.  I refuse to tell anyone to stay and risk their life when the popular attitude is "it is what it is, or this is normal". It is not ok and should never be considered normal.

Here is the link to this young mans murder http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/video_derrion_albert

I never knew you Darrien, never know what you may have become, but I will keep you, your family and all of the youth of Chicago in my thoughts and prayers