AT2W

Back in the mid eighties, there was a case in Oakland, California at Oakland Technical High School that involved the murder of a teenager, Andrae Crey.  Many grown people who grew up in Oakland can remember seeing the covered body of the decease in the hallway as students were sent home before dismal.  It is so sad, 20 years later we finally have a black President in the White House who is attracting nation national attention to this case in his native city of Chicago, Illinois.  Just think about, would he have the power to attract attention, if he was not the President of the United States?  Students of Christian Fenger Academy say the violence has been going on for a very longtime and you had to deal with it, before anyone cared to address the problem.

As Pastor of St. James Church of God In Christ in Chicago Illinois, Willie James Campbell stated on Sunday, it starts in the home.  He said the problem with troubled teenagers is the parents expect the teachers to deal with their children’s behavior, although they do not do their job of discipline at home.  Pastor Campbell’s wife, First Lady Lori Campbell knows about the behavioral problems in the school, because she is a school principal, once a teacher.  She has spoken out about the disrespect not only from the students, but the parents so often times defending their kids. raging and making malicious threats, so much, Lady Lori Campbell has had to call the police.  They both recognize the lack of discipline in the home, before the children arrive at school.  Pastor Campbell is so concerned about the violence among the youth in Chicago, he just held a church meeting with attendees: school officials, church leaders and parents, last Sunday night.

Two weeks ago on the South side of Chicago, 16-year old honor student, Derrion Albert of Christian Fenger Academy High School was beaten to death with 2 by 4 planks of wood on his way home leaving the grounds.  It is said he was caught up in the midst of a fight among gang members.  Interim, President Barack Obama speaking out  regarding the violence among the youth of Chicago, the United States Attorney General, Eric Holder and Education Secretary, Arne Duncan who met publicly with parents, students and community leaders, so did the mayor of Chicago, Mayor Richard J. Daley.  The Attorney General says the statistics is 61 % violence among our American youth this past year and over half were assaulted and about 25% were victims of robbery.

Furthermore, if this was a big problem in Oakland, California years ago, this issue is nothing new and it has been a big issue nationwide.  The only difference is, we are so fortunate to have an African American President who cares about his native city of Chicago.  Pastor Willie James and First Lady Lori Campbell are very accurate when putting the blame on the parents, there needs to be home training before the children arrive at school, so teachers and principals will be respected and they will know how to behave among themselves.