Birmingham Students Engage in Anti-Violence Dialogue with Doug E. Fresh
Birmingham, AL – Students at A.H. Parker High School were treated to a unique opportunity to engage in an anti-violence panel discussion featuring legendary rapper Doug E. Fresh, alongside local leaders such as Rep. Juandalynn Givan and Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr. The event aimed to address the pressing issue of violence in the community and sparks meaningful conversations among the youth.
A Call for Honest Conversations
The panel kicked off with Fresh expressing his admiration for Birmingham, noting how beautiful the city is every time he visits. However, he quickly turned the discussion to the concerning issue of crime. “Sometimes things appear a certain way, and it’s not as good as you think they are,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of being real about the community’s challenges. “What we want to do today is take off the mark or giving the impression of doing well, and you’re not doing well.”
Doug E. Fresh encouraged those in attendance to engage in an authentic dialogue, challenging the students’ perceptions. “What you’re going to see is that you don’t know as much as you think you know,” he asserted, inviting them to learn more about the realities of violence and substance abuse.
Real-Life Experiences and Consequences
During the panel, Fresh shared his experiences growing up in Harlem during the crack epidemic of the 1980s. He posed a thought-provoking question to the audience, asking how many of them knew someone whose life was negatively impacted by drug use. “So guess what?! So as much as you believe that the drug is making you feel good, it’s actually destroying you,” he cautioned.
District Attorney Carr took the opportunity to inform students about the severe consequences of criminal activity. “You can choose to participate in crime, but you can’t choose the consequences,” he declared. His remarks emphasized the potential for life-altering penalties, including significant prison time or even the death penalty.
Student Reactions and Reflections
After the panel discussion, Fresh took the time to connect with a few students, including 17-year-old Kamarion Morris, a senior who also serves as the school chaplain. Morris expressed her excitement to meet the famed rapper, influenced by her mother’s fondness for his music. “He told us to be humble because there’s always room to grow,” she shared, reflecting on the significance of the event for her and her classmates. Morris, who has seen violence in her community firsthand, conveyed her appreciation for the conversation and its impact.
Eighteen-year-old Sharaia Canady, also a senior at Parker, admitted she wasn’t familiar with Fresh prior to the event but acknowledged the value of his message. “He had a lot to say, and it was very important and relatable stuff,” she noted. Canady pointed out that while fights do occur at Parker, she feels their frequency has decreased compared to earlier years, indicating a potential positive shift among students.
Grim Reality of Violence in Jefferson County
The panel discussion came against the backdrop of alarming statistics concerning violence in Jefferson County, where 164 homicides have been recorded this year. In Birmingham, there have been 130 homicides, including nine deemed justifiable, and tragically, eight of those victims were children. These figures highlight the pressing need for discussions like the one led by Doug E. Fresh and local officials, encouraging students to seek positive paths and avoid the cycle of violence.
Inspiring Change Through Wisdom
In closing, Fresh offered students a memorable piece of advice in rhyming form: “The main thing is to make sure that your main thing remains the main thing.” As the event wrapped up, the hope is that the conversations sparked will inspire students to help shape a safer and brighter future for their community.
