Derrion Albert's Senseless Death Captured On Video Illustrates Our Need To Return To Basics ~by J.J.

The words of Mark have fallen on deaf ears of our youth. Teens listen, believe and follow for you have unjustly taken the life of Derrion Albert, an innocent man.

"45. If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell,
46 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
47 If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell,
48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
49 For everyone will be salted with fire.
50 Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you 1make it salty again?Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Derrion Albert was murdered and we need not ask how because a video tape captured the beating. 19-year-old Silvanus Shannon admitted that he participated in the fatal beating even though the victim, Derrion Albert, never struck him. Also arrested were Eric Carson, 16, and Eugene Riley, 18. Carson and Riley were also seen on the videotape attacking Albert. All three are charged with first degree murder and held without bail. 17-year-old Eugene Bailey has also been charged with murder.

A Chicago street fight apparently escalated from a dispute between two factions at Albert's high school, Christian Fenger Academy High School. Albert was affiliated with neither faction but nonetheless was beaten to death. Apparently after school let out at 2:50 p.m. on Thursday, Albert was on his way to the bus stop when two groups of students asssemble on the street.The two factions began fighting. (Earlier that day, a gang related shooting had allegedly taken place.)

16-year-old Eric Carson and another unknown person associated with "the Ville" faction approached Albert. Carson struck Albert in the head with a long wooden railroad tie. The second person punched him in the face. Albert apparently lost consciousness for a short period of time. After he tried to get up and move away from the action he was apparently attacked by a second group of four or five members from the opposing faction. Albert was struck again in the head. While Albert laid helplessly on the ground, Shannon apparently stomped on his head several times. Watch Video of Attack »

Albert was taken to Roseland Community Hospital and then to Advocate Christ Hospital where he was pronounced dead. While Legal Pub forces me to say that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty, I can not ignore the fact that the youth of this country are in need of serious reform. Bless Albert and the accused and may God help our youth.

~J.J.