• About Us
  • Paper Locations
  • Contact
Hispanic News || Shirley Ann Flower Shop || RS Deer Ranch
March 20, 2023
MEDIA KIT
African American News and Issues
63 °f
Houston
  • National
  • Local
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Announcements
  • Afram TV
  • Events
  • Entertainment
No Result
View All Result
African American News and Issues
  • National
  • Local
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Announcements
  • Afram TV
  • Events
  • Entertainment
No Result
View All Result
African American News and Issues
No Result
View All Result
  • AframNews Media Kit
  • About
  • Paper Locations
Home Opinion Columnists

Bigger investments needed to build young lives

aframnews by aframnews
September 11, 2021
in Columnists, Commentary, Editorial, Opinion
0
It’™s time to change our approach to Black History
77
SHARES
1.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedIn

Houston is not Chicago or New Orleans. Houston in not Los Angeles or Oakland. One of the reasons that Houston will not become Fort Apache is the swift work of the Houston Police Department and the partnership that exists between the police and community.

You might also like

School Vouchers: Good or Bad?

Emotional Intelligence: Do you, have it?

The Houston Independent School District

Almost before we could blink, suspects in the murder of New Orleans police Officer Everett Briscoe were in custody. Sadly, Officer Briscoe’s partner also went on to glory before the third suspect could be apprehended. Even if the first two suspects claim they were not the actual shooters, because of the parties’ provision of the law, even if you didn’t pull the trigger in an assault or murder, you are likely to be equally charged as the killer. These young men will be old as Methuselah when they are eligible for parole. It is likely they will wish for Hades after the verdict of the “Hanging Judge and Jury.”

This tragedy is a teachable moment for young people and citizens. First, it tells us that the grim reaper can come at blinding speed in the circumstances that are calm and serene. Before you can gulp your craft beer and attack your appetizer, the adversary is demanding your soul. How tenuous life is.

I will never forget when 15-year-old Marsai Murry was shot at the Hightower vs. Willow Ridge football game. It is true that bullets have no name for Marsai was not a target. I will never forget that the assailant said before his sentencing. “I am not a fiend; the prosecutor has pictured me as a monster, but I am not that guy. I made a mistake, and I will be forever sorry.” Nevertheless, another child and another man has gone.

In the Galleria attempted robbery / murder last month, one of the accused robbers accosted another patron at gun point. The patron reported that the robber said to her, and I paraphrase, “you don’t have to get shot if you cooperate.” Since the advent of New Jack City, a new type of street criminal has emerged. Although the victim cooperates and surrenders their jewels, they are often popped.

In the late 1990’s, Kashmere High School honor roll student and star athlete was with his girlfriend, who was  visiting his home and watching the Lakers playoff game. After the game ended, he walked her to the nearby bus stop across from his house. Three brothers, 25, 18, and 17 were carousing about and decided to rob Tramaine. Believe it or not, this was their third or fourth felony attempt for that day. Tramaine offered no resistance, but he was executed at the bus stop. The young men were eligible for the death penalty, but the mom of the deceased had no stomach for more carnage. Only the 17-year-old escaped life imprisonment.

Unless we get a grip, perception will become reality. The “Wild WEST” can reign in Houston. Houston is the city where America’s urban future is to be worked out. Bigger investments are needed to build young lives rather than repair and incarcerate them. Budgets must expand for modern and smart policing. Response times can go down, but more dollars are necessary to expand the force. However, a bigger factor is community leaders and parents building strong communities where youth can taste their productive futures.

Officer Everitt and friend, Dyrin “D.J.” Riculfy, were visiting transplanted ZULU Social and Charity Club members in Houston. The Zulus are known for their second line parades and their civic responsibility projects. While he came to Houston to vacation, perhaps we can pour a libation in the name of the slain officers and summon some courage to do our job in making this city safe for locals and our-of-towners.

Let’s mourn with the victims’ families, salute Chief Finner and the HPD homicide detectives and stop living puny lives. There is no time left. Don’t just live a “long” life, live a “quality” life because we never know how close or when the grim reaper will close the distance.

Tags: Omowale Luthuli-Allen
Share31Tweet19
aframnews

aframnews

Recommended For You

School Vouchers: Good or Bad?

by Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
March 18, 2023
0

Governor Abbott has made it clear that he supports a “school choice” policy and how Texas needs to “create an education savings account program.” This is about parental...

Read more

Emotional Intelligence: Do you, have it?

by Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
March 11, 2023
0
Emotional Intelligence: Do you, have it?

I strongly believe that a lot of our world and personal issues can be resolved through Emotional Intelligence (EI). “EI is the ability to manage both your own...

Read more

The Houston Independent School District

by Bobby E Mills, PhD
March 11, 2023
0
The Houston Independent School District

America’s constitutional founders knew that educational spiritual enlightenment is the life blood of social democracy. The Founders wanted everyone to be able to read the Bible, because the...

Read more

In or Out

by Bobby E Mills, PhD
March 3, 2023
0
In or Out

The question is: Are you a constitutionalist? Or are you a Fairweather American? This question must be asked simply because Christian Right Evangelicals, The GOP, and White Nationalist...

Read more

Black Lives Matter

by Bobby E Mills, PhD
February 26, 2023
0
Black Lives Matter

In the struggle for human dignity and human rights the phrase “Black Lives Matter” has been popularized. The question of questions is does Black lives really matter to...

Read more
Next Post
IN MEMORIAM: Michael K. Williams, star of ‘The Wire’ dead at 54

IN MEMORIAM: Michael K. Williams, star of ‘The Wire’ dead at 54

Latest Articles

HSPVA Black Alumni Network presents….The Wiz Emerald City Experience

HSPVA Black Alumni Network presents….The Wiz Emerald City Experience

March 18, 2023
Houston Family Arts Legacy

Houston Family Arts Legacy

March 18, 2023
HSPVA’s The Wiz

HSPVA’s The Wiz

March 18, 2023

NEED PAST ISSUES?

Search our archive of past issues Receive our Latest Updates
* indicates required
  • Local
  • National
  • Community
  • Education
  • Politics
  • COVID-19
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports

ARTICLES

  • Local
  • National
  • Community
  • Education
  • Politics
  • COVID-19
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports

CONNECT WITH US

  • Home
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

  • Hispanic News
  • Shirley Ann’s Flower Shop
African American News and Issues

African American News & Issues
6130 Wheatley St
Houston, TX 77091
(713) 692-1892

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023. African American News & Issues. All rights reserved. Private Policy | Terms of Use |

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Local
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Announcements
  • Events
  • Afram TV
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023. African American News & Issues. All rights reserved. Private Policy | Terms of Use |

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?