A Growing Epidemic

Stories of violence by and against youth explode from the news like gunshots from a passing car. It would seem that America is under attack by armed teenagers.

During the early 1980s, about a thousand murders were committed by teens each year in the United States. By the middle of the 1990s, that had grown to over three thousand per year, or almost 10 percent of all murders.

Numbers like that make it sound like teen violence is a growing epidemic, an impression that is given further validity by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, which now identify teen violence as a major public health problem.

Talking about teen violence in terms of murder is the obvious thing to do because of the dramatic finality and loss that death brings, but the epidemic—if that is actually what it is—encompasses much more than murder. The statistics for armed robbery, assault, rape, and carjackings by juveniles in the United States are higher than in any other country in the world. The teenage perpetrators and victims come from every walk of life and every ethnic background. People of all ages are shocked, saddened, and frightened by this news, but no one is more immediately affected by the epidemic of teen violence than teenagers themselves.

So as a young adult I beg people to get more involved in the lives of our youth. There is no for sure way to end teen violence but there are certainly ways that any individual can make a positive influence on a young adult. Please visit your local boys and girls club, YMCA, or any outreach program. It only takes one to teach one.

MYSpace or Yours?

Over the past six years social networks have taken the internet by storm. From sites like Myspace and Facebook, to Twitter and different blog sites, there is something for everyone.


These social sites where put together to create a way to share information with someone close to you, even when you are far away.

Though these site are primarily used for enteratinment and staying connected, there are now many things that users should beware of.

As a user of a social network such as Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter, not only are you searching for your friends and fav celebrities, but people are searching for you, and its not always in a good way.

These days, if you are currently seeking employment, and have posted whats on your mind or tweeted a funny twit pic, you can almost be certain that your future employer has googled you.

Which brings me to my question. Is this Myspace or yours? A social site is meant to be just that social. Will there ever be a site where a person can put there silly thoughts and not have to remain "professional" without it being held against them?

As a child growing up, from home to school, and eventually the work place, one is taught there is a time and a place for everything. There is a time to be professional and a time where you can relax and let your hair down.

Has that time come and gone?

Houston Commemorates 50th Anniversary of first sit-in

On march 4th, 2010 the city of Houston and Texas Southern University gathered in a host of events to Commemorate those eight brave pioneers who paved the way for Houston desegregation.

Fifty years prior on March 4th, 1960 eight TSU Students felt charged to make a difference. In the days before the students met in "war rooms" and strategized a non-violent protest and march to the Weingartens diner in hopes of dismantling Houston's Jim Crow Laws and bring equality to all.

The day of commemoration began at approximately 9:00 A.M., in the MLK Humanities building on the campus of TSU. Students, Faculty, and the TSU community filled the room with anticipation to for some meet for the first time, and for others to have a reunion with the leading eight of the sit-in.

Words can not express the gratitude and respect I felt that day. It was a privilege to be able to sit and listen to Eldrewey stearns, leader of the sit-in, reflect on the events and planning that took place prior to the march and the feeling he had throughout that day.

I could literally feel the emotion pouring out from Ms. Eddye Rigsby Hamilton, as she urged the students in the audience to take pride in our heritage and to stand and make a difference.

The highlight of the day was the march down wheeler to the now Almeda Post Office, which in 1960 was the site of the Weingarten Diner. There the leading eight Pioneers received words of Gratitude from Houston's Mayor Annise Parker, City Council Rep Wanda Adams, And Shelia Jackson Lee gave her sentiment via phone from Washington, D.C. There was also a host of many others which included TSU elects and the Surrounding community leaders.

It was a joyous day to say the least. I found that I don't have to wonder what it would have been like to march amongst the great leaders of African American history. I have a first hand account of the pride and honor that comes along with standing side by side with pioneers who paved the way.