hicago, IL (BlackNews.com) - The senseless death of 16 year-old honor student, Derrion Albert is a shocking snapshot into the epidemic of youth and gang-related violence that plagues Chicago's school children. The fatal beating was captured and broadcast worldwide and elicited a response not only from Chicago's citizens but also from the Obama Administration.
"Derrion was laid to rest on Saturday -- another promising life prematurely extinguished while enrolled in an educational system that I fear discriminates against African-American children. The Fatherhood Educational Institute (FEI) advocates a Civil Rights Call to Action to reduce youth violence, strengthen student programs and to encourage a community overwatch to curb and eventually eliminate gang violence," said Dr. Karl Schmitt (FEI Advisor).
In the wake of the fatal beating, President Obama is sending Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan to Chicago on Wednesday, to address students and the community on school violence. However, it is beyond the time for words, urgent action including the creation of youth afterschool programs are immediately needed.
"While this tragedy is in the forefront of national news, it is Chicago's opportunity to consciously re-shape the fabric of our community through anti-gang legislation with the help of President Obama - who was a steadfast community organizer on the very Chicago streets we are speaking of right now," said Attorney Jeffery Leving (President Emeritus of FEI -- www.fatherhood-edu.org). "We need to act as a community before we lose an entire generation of children," said Leving.
FEI also supports Rev. Jesse Jackson's demands for safe passage to and from school.
"We must not allow the loss of Derrion to become yet another statistic. Inner-city violence is killing our children and profoundly scarring the lives of those who do survive childhood. This is not a legacy we can tolerate. Our organization is aggressively pursuing interventions designed to protect and prepare children from these dangers," said Dr. Schmitt.
All students from all communities deserve an equal and safe education.
Visit: www.fatherhood-edu.org
No comments:
Post a Comment