I Lost, We Lost, my Former Student, a Gifted Athlete

I found out last Saturday, (two days ago), from a former basketball teammate of the victim that I bumped into near a b-ball court that Donnell was shot to death in a bad incident at an all night store downtown in his hometown, the city where I taught him.

Donnell was good at basketball, a naturally gifted athlete. He was skinny and strong, about 6'1". He was better at football.

He played at a community college and then transferred to a four year school in Texas, they say. I am not sure how life treated him after that. But he was back in the 'h*ood, his hometown where my wife hails from. Where I taught high schoolers for four years.

Wrong place, wrong time, I guess.

I knew him back in 2001, his senior year of high school.

It shocks and saddens me that he died this way, or at all. I was 30 when I taught him Spanish.

Too young.

Another statistic.

It has made me a little bit wiser, a little bit more sober. And he may not have been the most upstanding citizen, but he showed me respect.

Life is precious.

Hate is ridiculous.

Let's be careful out there and watch your back.

And don't do things that might get you killed.

Easier said than done.

RIP, Donnell J.

I will remember you and I hope to see you in the heavens. And as for us public school teachers that have taught you and others: we always care.

Peace. Keep the faith.

PapaClinch

And finally, this:

Murders among black youths on rise

His buddy, or teammate, that I talked to, said he knew another friend slain at a late night/early morning party with Blood or Crip (I see no difference) tattoos.

Can we get better?