Threw dirt on the casket, the hurt I couldn't mask it

Mixin down emotions, the struggle I hadn't mastered
I choreographed seven steps to heaven
And hell
Waiting to exhale and make the bread leavened

senility sets in...I knew I forgot to mention something.

I think I mentioned about two weeks back who were strolled throughout Codman Square to pay our respects and pray with the folks who had congragated on Washington Street at the site of recent stabbing. And the memorial they had erected was huge and the block was constantly flowing with people.

Well, in the midst of all the daily happenings since then, there was a edict quietly passed to tear down all victim memorials throughout the city.

yeah uh huh. kinda numbing, huh? Kids showed up at city hall with signs that read "Don't Wait Til We're Dead" and "How Many More," while an out-of-touch councilor tells them he does not know because we'll just have to wait and see and that it is up to the people with the guns to determine that. shakes head...

So now with a distrust and contempt for public officials already high, now heads cannot grieve in peace. It is a sad but true fact that one the most noticeable things about teen attire today are the t-shirts, buttons, and other paraphernalia they adorn themselevs with in the aftermath of the passing of a friend.

Felt the spirit in the wind, knew my friend was gone for good

But, in my dealings with the Roundtable and just being more involved around the city lately, I have met many great people doing truly amazing work to make this place better for everyone. So in an effort to shed light on some of their efforts, here's some detail about what should be a productive forum on the balance of power and prayer.

Helping Our Youth Grieve

A public conversation and dialogue sparked by the recent removal of some of the memorials around the city

Goals:

• Explore a healthy communal mourning process
• Draft a strategy that will include suggestions from all affected by the memorials
• Provide ideas and suggestions to our elected and civic officials as they draft a strategy to respond to the survivors of violent crimes

Invited Guests include:

• Superintendent Paul Joyce, Boston Police Department
• Robert Lewis, The City of Boston's Center's for Youth and Families
• City Councilor Charles Yancey
• Courtney Grey, The Public Health Commission's Trauma Project
• M. Antonio Ennis, Antonio Ansaldi Clothing Company
• Jay Walsh, The City of Boston's Mayor's Office
• Tina Cherry, The Louise D. Brown Peace Institute
• Pastor William E. Dickerson, Greater Love Tabernacle Church

Family and friends, survivors of violent crimes will be provided an opportunity to share their suggestions and ideas for communal mourning. It is hoped that the strategy will encourage our City Council Members and other civic officials to introduce legislation that will allow survivors of violent crimes to grieve in a healthy manner while respecting the law, the businesses and residential communities where many of the memorials have resided.

Please join us on Thursday, July 6th, 2006 at 6:30PM At Greater Love Tabernacle Church (101 Nightingale Street, Dorchester, MA 02121)

For more information please go to www.jameswhills.com

Sponsored in partnership by Save the Youth Ministries
The Louise D. Brown Peace Institute
4Peace and the Start Peace Movement
This is a PEACE BOSTON 2006 supported event