Buddy

by Buddy Hannah

On Wed. Jan. 11, 2012 I read an article in the Kalamazoo Gazette about a 21-year-old African American male who lost his life in a senseless shooting that occurred on Sunday Jan. 8, the first homicide on the city’s north side this year.

As disturbing as is was and always is to read about the loss of a life due to the senseless use of a gun, it was just as disturbing to read a comment in the article as quoted by one of the young man’s friend who said, “this is the way we do it on the north side.”

This statement epitomizes not only the sadness of the death of a friend but also what so many of our young African American youths have come to accept as a way of life, not only here in Kalamazoo’s north side but in African American communities throughout America.

To read or hear someone say, “this is the way we do it on the north side,” as it relates to the death of someone is or should be a reminder of the horrible state of being that we and especially our young people exist in.

It is a reminder or should be of the fact that as a people we have much work to do in our communities with our youth and with each other. It is a reminder or should be that (as we plan to) celebrated the birthday and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr; we must face the fact that for so many of our young people Dr. King’s dream is nothing but a nightmare.

So now that we are done singing, “We Shall Over Come,” and listening to Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, let us keep in mind that there is still work needing to be done in our communities and with our people. Otherwise we will continue to hear all over this country and in every community, the words spoken by a young man in Kalamazoo, Michigan as it related to the death of a young friend on that city’s north…”This is the way we do it on the north side.”

Good day Deona and Iyan

Buddy Hannah is a regular column writer for Community Voices and is the host of “Talk it Up,” radio program on 1560 AM, “The Touch.” He is an author and poet who has performed his work throughout Michigan.