Most of you know that I moved back from Los Angeles to NY because of my passion to start a program for youth in the Bronx. I also know it’s my purpose, there is nothing greater than finding out why you’re here on this earth. Sure, you’re here to leave an impact, but how will you do it?
The vicious and vile murder of Junior in the Bronx, shook me to my core. That was my AHA moment. I knew this invisible dome that I created with LA’s palm trees and beautiful mountains was one I needed to break free from.
If you’re not familiar with the story and want to acquaint yourself with his story, DO NOT watch the video. Read about it. Senseless acts of violence are not a new thing in NY or the Bronx for that matter but there was something about seeing a 14 year old boy running away from harm’s way and seeking safety in his neighborhood corner store aka la bodega.
And then being denied. And being shunned. And being seen as just another troublesome kid. And then being dragged out of the store by the older boys he was running from and not one adult, getting involved. No one calling the cops. Or pulling out their own burner because we know the bodegueros are strapped, stop playing. Not condoning violence but something has got to give when a kid is being stabbed and sliced up right before your eyes.
He was dragged out of the very store he has perhaps frequented many a time. Shared laughs with friends. Purchased a can of pepsi. Bought his mom some platanos - you name it.
Let me pause here to mention that most bodegas are a family, mom and pop shop where the community is well known. You might even have a running tab of what you owe once your paycheck arrives, call it the neighborhood line of credit. That’s how much the community is involved in not only sustaining the bodega’s business but also quickly grabbing a gallon of milk when you’re all out and in so doing, sustaining themselves as well.
What infuriates me about Junior’s story is that he had no one to turn to in that moment. He wasn’t safe anywhere he turned. His face, when I watched the video that I shouldn’t have, was one of pure fright.
“Can you imagine the innocence leaving his body as death became his reality? ”
There are many stories of lives cut short due to gun violence or gang related activities or police brutality even but when we start to look at things from a frequency lens (such as, it happens often therefore it’s expected), we become complicit.
I’m sharing this because there was an incident that happened at my workplace and the reaction that I saw from my colleagues was one of “This is normal behavior for the Bronx.” Yes, there are stats that back up that thought but it doesn’t leave room for change. It’s almost like acceptance.
I was shocked that it even happened at my job because I hadn’t been so close to any kind of violence in a very long while. Again, I was in a silo while in LA. I think the last time I was fearful for my life was on a drunken night after the club and in a way, we brought it on ourselves. I think we left with strangers, chile! See why it’s good that I am sober now. Haha 7 years strong! (Thank you Jesus!)
Thank God that no one at my job was harmed, that there were no injuries, just stolen personal property. To be clear, I was upstairs when it all went down on the first floor. They were after material things which thankfully, can be replaced.
It makes me think of what else can be replaced - our faulty thinking, the way we normalize things that we should be challenging and rising up against. The ED of the org encouraged everyone at an all staff meeting the following day, to not give up on the Bronx youth (as that is our demographic) even if the perpetrator was a Bronx youth. As we played back the cameras, we realized they weren’t young but at some point, they were. Something worth noting, how are we raising our children? What type of adult will they become?
Our ED is a Christian woman and she does believe in mercy. I was so encouraged by her statement and the way she challenged us to not give up on our kids, even when they intend harm. That’s a tall order!
So my ask is this…will you join me in praying for the Bronx? Join in me praying that God would continue to guide the Bronx and its elected officials. That God would plant resources for the community to keep youth busy and employed instead of going for fast cash (drugs, robbery). Pray that God would protect our youth, our families, our neighborhoods, our communities. I personally pray that our youth would come to know the Lord and in Him find a life worth living, that our youth would find purpose in their pain and trauma, that they would stop hurting one another.
I ask that you pray for those who see the Bronx as a hopeless borough and that God would renew their faith in their own city. Pray for those who see the Bronx as something they have to escape and that God would instead give them solutions to the problems they fear. Pray for those who see the Bronx as just another inner city that’s riddled with violence, poverty and despair.
Join me as I pray that God would do the miraculous and turn this city around. I am crazy enough to dream this big!
When I say pray, I do mean talk to God. No special lingo, no one has to hear your prayer to make it official but do pray for my beloved Bronx. Pray that the normal they see, will change - regardless of how long it takes. It takes the one person to believe. To act. To do. To organize.
Just as we’re rallying with #BLM, and getting into some good trouble, we shall keep keeping on when it comes to issues in the Bronx. As long as I’m here, I’m fighting back. Will you join me? I thank you in advance for praying for my city.
PS Every other Monday evening I am part of a prayer call specifically for Bronx youth, would you like to join? Hit a girl up! DM me or send an email to sayhello@jfer.org and I can tell you all about it. This is one way to give back - praying for our youth. Stay healthy, familia!