Area middle school and high school students received a lot of food for thought Thursday during the Stop the Violence Youth Summit. Now they”ve got some digesting to do.
Approximately 200 students attended the panel discussion at Lee Middle School. Speakers included family members of murder victims, pastors, parents, politicians and, of course, students. Topics ranged from conflict resolution to rap music to self respect.
The speaking occasionally morphed into preaching and the meeting”s length surpassed more than a few attention spans, but the majority of students remained engaged, roaring their approval at times and applauding all speakers.
The topics may not have been anything revolutionary, but in the wake of three shooting deaths in Columbus and Starkville before summer even began, the students understood the purpose of the summit.
“They”re recapping stuff we”ve already learned just to keep our memories fresh,” said Candesha Arrington, 17, daughter of Robert and Wendey Arrington of Columbus. “It will have a good influence because they”re putting the seeds into us and, trust me, the (students) wont” forget. They”re going to be thinking about it when they leave here and they”re going to try to do better.”
”Get a few children involved”
The concept of sowing seeds came up several times at Thursday”s meeting to describe cultivating non-violent attitudes among individuals and leading by example to spread peace.
“You (students) are the seeds that can change mindsets,” said Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem, a member of the panel. “You can go out in the community and plant those seeds.”
Karriem, who is also a part of a non-violence task force consisting of local adults, said children”s” voices should not be discounted.
“We need to get a few children involved in the discussion as far as what to do to deter crime in neighborhoods,” he said following the summit. “They have something to say and there”s a seat at the table for them, too.”
He acknowledged much of what was said at the summit has been said before, but said the non-violence movement can”t afford to lose momentum after one round of meetings.
“We shouldn”t have to wait for another child to be murdered or children to be perpetrators of violent crime,” said Karriem.
When the panel was asked to offer solutions, Pastor R.J. Matthews of Kingdom Vision International Church said much of the solution was evident in the audience. Most of the students attending the meeting are enrolled in apprenticeship programs such as Project Lace Up, Summer Success and Crossroads.
“It”s an injustice to assume there”s not already powerful things in place. There are three in the room,” said Matthews, referring to the programs. “These are major things when you”re talking about preventing violence.”
Project Lace Up, Summer Success, and Crossroads are paid for by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. Approximately 300 students enrolled in the programs receive tutoring, life skills and leadership mentoring after school.
Coincidentally, today is the last day for Project Lace Up, but student coordinator Kenneth McFarland says plans are under way to find funding to extend the program into the summer. He says the program serves the dual purpose of giving students something to do after school while promoting education and positive values.
Several students, including panel member Colby Williams, an eighth-grader at Lee Middle in Columbus and son of Hilbert and Shirley Williams, advocated extending the after-school programs.
Grandmother: Think before you act
Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John appealed to students to simply assess the consequences of their actions before engaging in violence. He didn”t directly reference Columbus” recent shootings, but used them as an example of a life-altering over-reaction.
“Do you want to spend the rest of your life in jail because for one minute somebody talked to you poorly?” he asked students.
Even when an individual is not directly involved in an altercation, Lou Dudley says being present at the wrong place can cost a life. She says the killing of her grandson, Jeremy Munson, in 2007 was the result of his attempting to mediate an argument.
“Think before you act,” she warned. “Self-discipline means you don”t make decisions for me.”
Munson”s killer was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison, essentially costing two lives.
“My grandson is gone,” said Dudley. “We can”t help him. But we can help you. And you can help each other.”
Further speakers suggested a renewed effort in parenting and improved communication between youth and adults to prevent violence.
A discussion on the causes of violence touched on self-respect and life goals before inevitably turning to popular culture and rap music.
St. John pointed to a pervasive acceptance of violence in the media as playing a major role in the acceptance of violence.
“Does anyone here have a video game about growing flowers? Does anybody have the love-and-peace Gandhi video?” he asked to make his point.
Faith, cultural influences
The mere mention of popular rap artists such as Lil” Wayne and Drake drew applause from the students, leading the majority of adults to caution against listening to rap music.
The Rev. Willie Sanders explained that even he, as an adult, must avoid certain aspects of popular culture because he”ll fall victim to lust or greed. He warned the students to filter what they see and hear.
“The principle of what you hear and see will affect what you do. The reason you (girls) want to look like hoochie mamas is because that”s what you see,” said Sanders. “There are certain things I can”t handle if I constantly see and hear them.”
Several speakers made religious pleas to avoid cultural influences and seek answers from God. One student, who neglected to give her name, offered the rebuttal that not all rappers are a bad influence, offering artists such as Common and Wale as examples.
The summit covered much more ground, which was overwhelming for some students.
“They”re touching too many topics,” said Kendall Edwards, 14, son of Patrick and Sharon Edwards. “At first they were talking about (violence), then they changed.”
Some saw the subject matter as redundant.
“I grew up in a house where my mama and my grandmama tell me that all the time about violence,” said Shawn Dean, 13, son of Shawn Dean Sr. and Vanessa Dean, and a cousin of shooting victim Curtis “C.K.” Randle, who was killed May 22 in Starkville.
Others thought the message was right on time.
“It”s a good thing to reinforce everything. If you have a good attitude, it will take you further in life,” said Kayla Woodard, 17, daughter of Robert Woodard Sr. and Velma Woodard.
“I believe there”s new stuff being presented here,” said Franklin Fisher, 17, son of William and Sandra Stone. “We haven”t really ever talked about violence except a few times, but there”s new people speaking on new things that I really enjoyed hearing.
“Honestly, I think if people listen it would really help them out and they will heed what these people are saying.”
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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