Thoughts on Darrent Williams, Society and Crime...

As you may or may not know by now, Denver Broncos’ cornerback, Darrent Williams was murdered on New Years’ Eve in Denver, Colorado.

As an African-American male myself, Darrent Williams’ death is another static and a sad reality for those of us out there. A young man who was simply enjoying the last day of the year, and even more tragically leaving work will never get to see the light of the day again, just over a dispute – and one he may not have even been involved in.

More than likely, this was a black on black crime, meaning the murder who took Mr. Williams' life was probably black himself.

Sadly, numerous African-American males are killed daily in any major American city, and I live between Washington and Baltimore, two cities in history known for their murder rates, especially amongst young black men. A lot of times, a murder of a black male hardly gets mentioned unless the crime so vicious and sensationalistic that the media can’t stay away, or if the person is famous.

From what we know, Mr. Williams did have a hard life growing up, but however, he rose above it and achieved the American dream and got an education, through his athletic gifts. He didn’t seem like a gang-banger, or a thug, just a young man who was doing what millions of people, young and old to celebrate a new year, just that he lost his life and perhaps was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He was a father to two kids, a son to a mother and father, and grandson to someone. Through the news reports aired, you can see his family in anguish and in utter shock over something so senseless.

This happens too often with African-American males, just not in the public realm or with the bright lights and cameras in your face, but in living rooms everywhere. In the next few days, you’ll see Mr. Williams in a memorial service with family, friends and those who worked with him in pain reminiscing on a young life taken away.

I ask myself whenever I open up the Washington Post or Baltimore Sun, why does this happen amongst African Americans on a daily basis?

Do people not have respect for one another any more? Is that life is devalued? Is that the popular culture has instilled in us via movies, TV, music and the media that violence is the way to solve problems?

There is no motive right now for why Darent Williams lost his life. He’ll never come back, see his children grow up, or grow old. I do know and feel that society has changed – for the worse.

Until we start to see the value of human life and not try to solve everything with brutal violence, there will be another story, reported or not on someone via the media, especially a young African American being murdered, and another and another…