Derrion Albert, African American Youth,

and The 2016 Olympic Bid

My friend CC called and asked, “Did you hear the news? Chicago lost the bid for the Olympics in the first round.”

I said, “What happened, what caused the defeat?”

CC replied, “The beating death of Derrion Albert went around the world. How could the International Olympic Committee vote for Chicago to hold the Olympics and children are being murdered regularly in the city.”

Derrion Albert’s death was different, because of the video camera, we were at the scene of the crime. We wanted the mob action to stop. We wanted the hateful words to be silenced; we were offended by the N word and B word. We feared the 2x4 boards used to beat human beings. We were repulsed by the circus atmosphere. Our great leader Malcolm X asked this question, “Who taught you how to hate yourself?” The new question is, who will teach you how to understand self-hatred that leads to self-destruction? Who will teach you how to love yourself and care for your fellow human beings?

The murder of school children in Chicago by other youth has not been sufficiently addressed. There should be a strategic plan by the city of Chicago, The State of Illinois, and the Federal Government. Black on black crime will not be solved by more police officers or the national guard on the streets. Black Churches, community organizations, parents and the entire village must become part of the solution. This problem deserves a five-ten year strategic plan. With a review each year. What happens to people who live in poverty for generation after generation?

Also, let us take a closer look at what is going on in this country. The bid was not just against Chicago, it was the entire country that lost the Olympic Games. After a hard fought presidential campaign, we thought President Obama would be encouraged as he leads the country out of an economic disaster. But instead, hard core racist have continued to attack the President. The world is not blind to racism. This public display of arrogance and ugliness will not attract people to the United States.

Finally, may those who run community organizations, teach, mentor, and speak up for the poor continue their fight. We hope that some of the energy and funds targeted for the 2016 Olympics Games will be used to empower those who suffer from generational poverty.

Mary Morris, author of - Young Lions: Challenged to Live Free

Contact Blog: www.younglionsforschools.blogspot.com