I Fear being Young and Black

A group of friends and I discussed gun violence in the black community. We laughed as we reminisced about running from gun fire at cookouts, parties and various events. It dawned on me after our discussion that being a black millennial is quite scary and its not a joking matter. I later went on to ask every black person I encountered between the age of 18-35 if they have been to at least one event and heard the sound of gunshots.... sadly EACH and EVERY person I asked said yes.

​Nipsey Hussle's death effected me and many others. Hearing he was gun downed, was painful and hard to understand. How could someone kill Nipsey Hussle, knowing the principles he stood on ?Nipsey Hussle promoted unity, prosperity and holistic health. Many of us began to speculate that his death was a government plot in hopes to end his career before he shed light on the life of Dr. Sebi.

​Unfortunately, that's not the case. Nipsey died at the hands of another black man, 29 year old Eric Holder. Someone with brown skin. Someone that looks like one of our cousins, brothers or classmates. I began to think to myself. Why am I surprised? Young black men die everyday in our communities. I pondered on the lives of people I knew personally. One black man was killed after an argument at a night club, another young black man shot after a dice game. Then there's the black man who sold weed and was set up or how about the black man who stood outside waiting for his ride and got shot. Nipsey Hussle was no different despite his rise to stardom. Jealousy in the black community is running rampant.

I absolutely love being black. I love our culture. But violence ruins the fun.

​- Kanise W.
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