All that most of us can do is pray . . . .

Warning: This video is horribly graphic. It brought me to tears watching it. Please don't take this cautionary warning as a joke! Watch the video here: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/09/derrion-albert-vigil-and-march-postponed.html.

Pray. That is about all I could do after watching this video. I was angry, horrified, ashamed, torn and appalled. But all I could do is pray for this young man's family and the souls of those involved in taking his life. Pray. That's all that any of us who are not eyewitnesses to this tragedy can do. Those of you who are, please step forward and provide as much information as possible.

And perhaps that is a component of what is missing. Timely and proper prayer. I wonder if the young men who are charged with the crime are now praying, asking God to forgive them of their sins. I would ask them, as they kneel in their holding cells begging for forgiveness and to be absolved of their actions, did you pray before you swung your first punch, made your first kick or picked up the 2x4 that would cause the blunt force trauma that took this young persons life? Timely prayer. Praying post action is usually an effort to exculpate ourselves of poor decisions only after we have realized that our decision making was poor. It is a retroactive action. And it most definitely isn't the proper prayer. I would ask those individuals a second series of questions starting with do you feel your prayer is now proper? Do you feel that perhaps praying for better decision making before you take action (in this or any other situation) would be more proper? One of the greatest gifts God has given us is free will. I would ask if that free will is something that they cherish or abuse regularly? That free will is soon to be taken away from them. God willing.

Many of us are asserting blame. And even still, some of us are hoping to be excused of their contributions to this event occurring. A parent of one of the charged stated that their son is "not a bad kid". Perchance this poor assessment of child behavior is what makes this parent a "bad parent" for they have not been able to distinguish behavior which is to be considered "bad" and more importantly take necessary action to correct that behavior. Children make mistakes. Children that are properly raised do not make such egregious mistakes in which their errs takes the life of another. But it seems we are all looking for a pass. This parent, in a time in which they are saddened by the notion that they are soon to lose their child to prison, should have the compassion to understand that their loss is second to that of the loss that Albert's parents must feel. But in making such judgment towards their child, they also must judge themselves for they in essence have failed as a parent. Harsh. Perhaps. A necessary condemnation. Absolutely. For this attitude, this demeanor, this premise is what is lacking in our world today. That the effort that we put forth into raising our children will be reflected in the choices that those children make.

In reading the many desolate articles that have been written on this tragedy, I noticed something that may not necessarily stand out, but when scrutinized has to be a major contribution as to why our children are making poor decisions and finding themselves in situations which require decision making skill that they perhaps have not been properly prepared to make. Bare with me as I connect the dots. Eugene Bailey's mother has commented. She has another son, Vashion Bullock, who she pulled out of Fenger High School previously due to danger. Her last name is Smith. The primary respondent for the slain student's family is the Grandfather. From the articles I have read, no "fathers" have commented. Is it apparent now? The absence of the shared surname and lack of "father" respondents speaks to the dissolution of the familial structure that is a necessity for the rearing of a child. Perhaps in our praises for those who are I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T we have encouraged the idea that a unified effort isn't necessary to developing a child to be a productive participant to our society. We've heard it before. . . It takes a village to raise a child.

Lastly, President Obama has been under some criticism lately regarding the notion that the United States will not be able to solve all the worlds problems on its own. He has been shunned for in essence communicating to the rest of the world that the United States, in all it's self proclaimed greatness, may need some help. That sentiment is exactly what has created the opportunity for the Fenger High School brawl to occur. The idea that it is not required that we all contribute to providing solutions to these ills. That perhaps one action, one person, one thing can make this all better. I implore that everyone must begin at home and continue their efforts in their community to make these occurrences of violence rare versus regular.

And if you can't sign on to that notion, then perhaps you should just pray.