Don't wait till we're dead

Don't wait 'till we're dead. They only really recognize us in the papers when we're dead. It takes 75 murders for us to even get invited to City Hall.

- a 16-year-old student at the Boston Arts Academy
[see Voices from the Streets]

I love youth movements. Whoever organized this hearing yesterday at City Hall has my high regard right about now. I keep inching and inching closer to the action, yet still disconnected enough to know about stuff like this. This has to be one of the most tangible events at which the issues of violence has been addressed in this city lately. Aside from the talking heads and peoples with good intentions, the only way to truly get some relevant results is to bring the youth to the table. Much like my mindframe on education reform, the students have to be a part of the process. Fuq the police. Fuq the city council. Fuq the community. Fuq a t-shirt. The shorties that ride the T, wait to catch buses in the cold, and walk damn near everywhere; those are the ground 'soldiers' who can make a difference. Every kid ain't thuggin it. Every little bit counts, but this gives me hope. It gives me pride. It makes me think that more people are starting to 'get it.' Time will tell.