By
Felix Hoover
For
Your News Columbus
What
looked like a career day sign-up sheet was really an anti-violence
messge by the youths who attended Monday’s I Want 2 Live rally at
Mount Hermon Baptist Church.
The
rally, one of several recent responses to the high rate of
killings in the city this year, was structured to give children a
major role in the program.
After comments by Mayor Michael B. Coleman, several members of the
clergy, representatives from social service agencies and radio
personality City, the young people were asked to sign sheets
posted on the wall of the church gym and to write reasons for
wanting to live.
Many
of the messages spoke to careers they hope to pursue -- lawyer,
drummer, NFL player and veterinarian, to name a few.
None
was loftier than the dream job of Javonia Shuford, 13, who said,
“I want to be the first African-American president.”
Few
were as touching as the one reading: “I want to live to keep my
boyfriend’s legacy alive through me. R.I.P Lil Will. I love U.“
The
writing reflect the young people’s understanding that they and
their peers must make sound choices to avoid extreme conflict that
leads to young people killing one another.
Adults were encouraged to add their own messages of support and
encouragement to let the children know they have someone to turn
to for safety.
Before the crowd arrived, Bishop Donald Washington, pastor of
Mount Hermon, said the he wants to open his church to children in
need of a safe haven and he hopes other houses of worship will do
likewise.
Organizers assured participants that messages on the I Want 2 Live
Wall would be preserved and that other events would be held in
furtherance of the anti-violence message.
