Derrion Albert.

Last week, this young man was killed in the streets by a group of kids. He was kicked, punched, and beaten. I won't explain anything else. WARNING: The video is VERY graphic.

VIDEO DELETED!!!!

Derrion Albert.

They killed a young boy today. Derrion Albert was his name.

Sixteen years on the Earth & now he's lying in a hearse.

A college bound junior; honor roll student at Fenger High School.

Four blocks away from the school, he tried to help another kid, maybe a friend.

He was getting jumped, that's the new trend, you know.

I don't know him personally, or through an acquaintance. In fact, I don't know him at all.

But I watched the video of his mother, and then I watched the video of his ended life.

I cried tears of pain and sorrow for him, his family, and those lost souls.

You could hear people screaming for him to get. Get Up! Stand Up!

That's what Chi-town needs to do.

Stand up and take notice that sh*t like this doesn't fly.

Stand up and take the initiative to make the city a better and safer place.

They left him dying, ran down the streets, and kept fighting;

not knowing they had just taken away a life.

No arrests, "no witnesses", nobody's stepping forward.

The last time this mother saw her son was in the city morgue and nobody's stepping forward?!?

What exactly are you fighting for? Blocks and streets and colors?!?

When you're dead, what does it all matter?

They killed a young boy today. Derrion Albert was his name.

I never knew him, but I'll never forget him.

*UPDATE* Four suspects have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder as of Monday 28 September 2009. One has already confessed that he DID stomp on Derrion's head although Derrion NEVER striked him.

Life.

Life takes you on a journey through the bad so that you can appreciate the good.

I've had to learn that quite a few times in my nearly seventeen years of life.

Vegetarian.

Though I'm not a vegetarian, cruelty is

catching a fish just to toss it back into the pond.

I Am.

After searching for inspiration for my writings...I've finally found it. In a line by Charles Hamilton from the song "Speak No Louder" he said somethng that inspired me. I've heard this song a billion times, figuratively speaking, but this morning the line struck a chord that's been sitting unmoved for some time.

I Am

I am her; an image of Him. I am "us".

I'm a product of my environment, of them.

I am never a victim.

Stronger than ever. Stronger than yesterday. I am Strength.

I'm a voice.

A body that curves like a coke bottle.

A face that displays an exact replica of the man I call Daddy.

A spirit unbroken. A soul never folding, but also conflicted.

I am a mixture of Earth, Water, and Fire; white and red blood cells.

I am a mind that never resides in a cell.

I am a woman.

I'm a Black "sistah" with the blood of enslaved ancestors running through my veins.

I am a set of eyes that pour heavy rains.

I am who I am; myself.

I...am a poet.

Writing.

Seems like lately I can't write.

Either there's no inspiration or I just can't finish whatever writing I started.

I love to write poetry. I've been doing that since I was young.

Seems like the older I get, the less I write.

I just wish my inspiration was constant.

It feels good to write.

I let everything out; all my ill feelings and emotions.

I just want to get back to writing.

Sorry.

Im sorry.

Im sorry that can't be the perfect girl for you.

Im sorry that we're on completely different paths.

Im sorry that Im not what you wanted.

And Im sorry that you didn't really give 'us' a chance.

I miss you.