Within blocks of Charles Drew Elementary and Middle schools, Rashawn (22) and Deon (21) Beneby were gunned down Thursday afternoon, forcing both schools on temporary lockdown. According to the report in today's Miami Herald, Rashawn was shot execution style, and Deon shot and killed while fleeing on foot as described by witnesses.
These two shootings bring Miami-Dade's homicide rate to 81 since January of 2008. And according to statistics, 37 of those homicides were BLACK MEN AGES 35 AND YOUNGER. This is not one of the charts we should be on top of! People, we have got to grab hold of our youth ASAP. It is obvious that if we don't take the time to care, who will? These are our children and young adults killing each other. Fortunately, students at both Charles Drew schools were in no danger, but within blocks? Someone's innocent child (maybe your child!) could have been caught in the cross-fire.
We've been listening to some of the airwaves in town, and frankly it is disappointing. There is MUCH time spent talking about what other groups, ethnicities, social classes, government entities are supposedly doing to us. All this must be put on the table at some point, because there is much truth to the biases we face in this County. But WE MUST HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AS WELL for what is going down up the street and 'round the corner from us, across the street from our schools, at our markets and all over our community. These young men have just been added to a saddening statistic, and we send condolences to the family and friends, despite what reports say regarding their status or suspected criminal activity; they were still someone's brothers, children, and friends. They are two more examples of what is ultimately happening to many of our young people on these streets.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Two brothers killed near Charles Drew schools
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Hi my name is Tamika Beneby sister of Rashawn and Deon Beneby who was killed on April 17, 08. I would just like to thank you for sending your condolences to me and my family it meant a lot. I also would like to thank you for not judgeing my brothers unlike others who covered the story. Its funny how people emphasize only on the negative, and neglect the positive. My brothers intentions were good but they were just mis-understood. People never know your hard ship and struggles and what all my brothers been through. But through it all they still manage to pray and hope for better days. Never being selfish to others and their needs.Never complaining about the cards they were dealt but making the best of the situation. And to those who judge want to judge them,only God could. I miss my brothers sooooo much.
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