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Editorials/Column
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The Hefty Price Of Stuntin’
he father of one of my
associates passed the other day. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to be by his dad's side in the end because he was busy completing the very last week of a 24-year prison sen- tence.
As tragic as that scenario may sound, it really isn't that uncommon of an occurrence. The truth is, it is just one exam- ple of the multitude of heart- breaking losses and missed opportunities individuals deal with when they're locked be- hind bars.
From the inability to say goodbye to close family mem- bers before they die, to the re- lationships that crumble under the stress of long-distance and the time lost with the children left behind, being incarcerated seems to involve a never ending cascade of "L's". The only win comes if you're blessed enough to make something of the life you have left once you're re- leased. And that is solely de- pendent upon whether or not your out date reads "deceased."
This is a part of the equa- tion that you very seldom see portrayed in movies or rapped
about in song lyrics. In the business of entertainment the life of crime is glamorized as a world filled with piles of cash, expensive cars, beautiful women, parties and a host of other frivolous bull----.
In these fictional accounts the bad guys usually go out in blazes of bullets and glory. The funny thing is that they never show us what happens when the big, bad "gangsta" doesn't die at the end of the script?
I imagine films like Scar- face and New Jack City wouldn't have had the same kind of impact if there were scenes depicting Tony Mon- tana on a jailhouse phone beg- ging his girl for money or Nino Brown buffing floors and sell- ing dried up tobacco spit just to survive. I suppose these true to life images of the way a crimi- nal life typically turns out just aren't sexy enough for the big screen.
This blatant twisting of re- ality always makes me wonder how many less people would actually choose the lawless lifestyle if they were exposed to its true ugliness on a regular basis? I have to believe that, at
least for those with any amount of sense, being employed would come off as a much better op- tion.
Of course, this isn't a pity plea for those of us who cur- rently live this bleak existence. That's because, the sad fact is, many of us signed up for the ex- perience.
We weren't content with the joys of freedom. So, instead, we walked up to the gates of the nearest prisons and asked War- dens, prosecutors and judges to place us into situations where we could be miserable. All of the hardships I mentioned ear- lier simply came with the re- quest.
The thing about obtaining money illegally is that the perks always look good from a dis- tance. We see so-called "ballers" having a great time and we instinctively want to be a part of the action. What we don't learn until it's too late is that the fun times don't last nearly long enough to warrant the hefty price paid.
To those willing to risk it all for the shine, my advice is to think twice before you make the leap. It may appear sweet but, after it all falls down (and it will), you'll soon realize that none of it was worth the trouble that came along for the ride.
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Ed Narain For State Senate District 19: Why We Think So
e wish Ed Narain, Darryl Rouson and Betty Reed
weren’t running against each other because the po- litical bloodshed from the splitting of votes between these three and a fourth newcomer (Augie Ribeiro) is something the Black community, the Democratic Party, and the District 19 community in general cannot recoup. But be that as it might. Only one candidate can win. We’ve made up our minds. Ed Narain is our choice.
Here’s one reason why. At a recent debate forum featur- ing the Democratic candidates for State Senate District 19, we listened open-mindedly as each candidate stepped up to the plate. Regal, reticent, picking every word like a sweet strawberry, State Rep. Betty Reed spoke sometimes almost inaudibly as to what she would do were she sent back to Tal- lahassee. Her words were welcomed with a spirited amen from her loyal supporters. But millennial members of the audience were cordial at best.
Then came Augie Ribeiro. Well-informed, willing to mix mud with wit, he could not hide his Achilles heel: Augie was a stranger to the Black community.
State Rep. Darryl Rouson followed. Born of an intellec- tual family, but, a modern-day prodigal son, his lessons learned would make him a wonderful choice were it not for what seems to be a barely hidden impatience bordering on impertinence . . . resignation sometimes slipping into rage.
Then came State Rep. Edwin “Ed” Narain. Family man, able attorney, but what impressed us most was how he stood up to answer questions. Lincoln-like with just a hint of Obama and MLK, he knew what he knew and it radiated like JFK when he beat Nixon in a war of words.
So, we have come to a conclusion, as to who would best represent us in the Florida Senate District 19. Our choice is Ed Narain. He has the expertise, but he also has the in- tegrity.
Reading Boosts Student And School Grades
C onsider W. Fusselman’s comment, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” Indeed, if you knew that 30 min- utes of reading daily would help your child raise his or her classroom grades and his or her school’s “D” and “F” grades, wouldn’t you make certain your child reads 30 minutes a
day?
Furthermore, if you knew that reading 20 minutes a day
would greatly reduce your children’s chances of becoming involved in crime, wouldn’t you require your children to read at least 20 minutes a day? In addition, consider that it has been proven that reading success leads to academic suc- cess and a reduction in a criminal activity.
Indeed, the problem of poor reading skills is a set-up for future failure. Author, Fusselman cites the relationship re- search has shown between reading skills/reading frequency and business and relationship success.
Therefore, we urge parents, grandparents and other fam- ily members to make certain their children read at least 30 minutes a day, and make certain the family children read aloud to you and tell you their understanding of what they read to you.
Make certain your children visit the library regularly, and observe you reading and that you give children books for gifts on birthdays, Christmas, and other special days.
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PAGE 6-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016