Dear Source:
After reading this article, I was sick to my stomach. Enough is enough already. When will this senseless violence end? Where has compassion gone? In the Virgin Islands, It appears that there is a total disregard for human life. This murder is despicable and that's the only way I can describe it. How can a person take another person's life with total disregard? The youth of the Virgin Islands has lost their way. I don't blame the government or law enforcement, I blame the parents.
Parents need to revert back to the basics in raising their children. In my personal opinion, I think all this youth violence is the result of children having children. Fathers or "Baby Daddies" need to step up and take responsibility for their children. If one grew up without a father figure in their life, that doesn't mean that the act should be reciprocated to their children. One should learn from that lesson and do everything in their power to be personally involved with their children, even if they are not romantically involved with the mothers. Standing from the sideline and stating "dats my yute" does not make the cut. This cycle should be broken and not allowed to continue. It can be broken simply by fathers taking their responsibilities and not just holding the moniker of "Baby Daddy."
This young man lost his life because of his kindness and compassion for his fellow man. Although some of us are not afforded the same opportunities as others, we are afforded the same 24 hours in a day as everyone else. What one chooses to do with their 24 hour is what makes the difference. The victim used his 24 hours to get an education and pursue a career, but the other chose a life of crime. The perpetrator could've used his time to mentor his accomplice in doing the right thing if he thought there was no hope for him in life. He chose not to but encourage the minor in a life of crime. In the end, three lives have senselessly been lost. Both of them are going to go to jail and become some real bad man's girlfriend.
Damien James
SFC BUMED
Washington, D.C.
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