Lasean Lyles Jr. entered an essay contest that was sponsored
by Disney’s Dreamers Academy and Steve Harvey so that he could inspire other
teens who experienced violence at their school.
As a sophomore at Fenger High
School in Chicago, Lyles was jumped and beaten by a group of boys in an
incident that foreshadowed the nationally publicized, cell phone-recorded beating death of Derrion Albert.
Lyles’ essay on his experience was one of 100 essays chosen by Steve Harvey and
the Dreamers Academy. Harvey spoke about the teen violence that continues to
ravage inner-city neighborhoods and schools across America. –amir shaw
What are your thoughts on Lasean Lyles’ essay that talks about the violence that he and teens such as Derrion Albert have faced in their
schools?
It’s the same thing that’s going on with teen violence
across the country. Chicago is no different from any major market in America.
There are some things that we have to do to correct the mistakes that we have
left behind.
What do you think are some of the causes of the rampant
violence?
All of this is residue from us older black men who have not
taken on the proper position as fathers and not being there for young men to
offer them proper guidance. We have to be there for young men to teach them
that violence is not the way.
How can we stop the explosion of violence among teenagers
across the nation?
We have to take the time to reach back and share with these
young men the principles of manhood. Manhood has nothing to do with how good
you are with your hands or a gun. It has to do with your ability to love and
honor women, your ability to provide for your family in a legal and just way,
your ability to take care of your kids and the relationship you have with God.
We stop teaching our young men and now they rely on other things. People like
myself have to turn around and teach these young teens how to be men.
