12/12/2024
“When Will Enough Be Enough?”
As a pastor, I’ve prayed, preached, and pleaded for change. I’ve tried to link with other ministries to do something real about the gun violence between our young Black men in Monroe, Conecuh, and Escambia counties. But let me be honest—it’s hard to make progress when too many care more about being in the limelight than being in the fight.
As a father, I’ve told my kids, “No, you can’t go,” not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because I’m terrified they might not make it home. Innocent bystanders, caught in a war they didn’t start. Is that fair? No. But it’s easier than burying my child. And yet, is that really the solution? Keeping our kids locked away while the streets eat each other alive?
And as a Black man, I’m angry. Let’s be real: if a police officer had shot one of our sons, we’d be marching, demanding justice, shutting down streets, and flooding social media. But when it’s one of us pulling the trigger, what do we do? Post “RIP” and wait for the next one to die.
To the young men out there: put the guns down. Stop letting pain, pride, or petty beefs turn you into killers. Don’t let the streets rob you of your future or your brother of his life.
To the parents: we can’t keep our kids in a bubble and call that protection. We’ve got to come together—churches, schools, businesses, everybody—and fix the real problem.
And to my fellow pastors and community leaders: it’s not about who gets the credit. It’s about saving lives. Let’s stop competing for followers and start fighting for our communities.
I’m angry because I love us too much to stay quiet. I’m hurt because every loss is a piece of our future gone. And I’m calling on YOU, the youth, the parents, THE COMMUNITY, to step up, speak out, and do something.
Enough is enough. Let’s save our sons before we lose them all.
Signed,
A Pastor, A Police Officer, and A Father Who’s Had Enough
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