“Do the Right Thing”
By Jaydon Hood
7th Grade
Crestwood Middle School
“Pop, pop, pop, pop” the sound of guns firing and people screaming. “Pop, pop, pop” more guns and people scrambling. Screeching tires, gangs’ colors flying, smoke in the wind, everyone began to run, running in different directions, bumping into each other and dropping down to the ground. People were afraid for their lives. Loud screams, people hollering to “get down” or “run” and babies screaming only meant more panic and chaos. Red blood and opened gun shells everywhere. The cars were gone and people were getting up and gathering themselves to see the damage, but not my cousin Antwon. He was still lying on the ground. He was covered in blood and so was his friend Kevin. And just like that, along with 3 others, they were gone forever. Violence is not always that dramatic, but it is that damaging. It tears up friendships, families, relationships, strangers and even co-workers. Webster’s dictionary defines violence as the use of physical force to harm someone, to damage property, etc. It also says, it is a “great destructive force or energy.” That great destructive force changed my family forever. It didn’t just take away a high school football-playing senior that was in the park, it also opened my eyes to the fact that I did not want to be a part of the ugliness of violence or the potentiality of losing my life unnecessarily.
Having a violent personality does not just happen overnight. There are many influences. For some, it’s bad influences. Unfortunately, for others it stems from issues at home. More children witness violence at home than anywhere else in their lives. According to , Homicide through violence in the home is the 2nd leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24 years old. This means that more than anything else, children are being exposed to violent practices and lifestyles. This has to stop! My mom always says, “The traits of the parent become the tendencies of the child.” This means that children are not always being taught to do the right thing. They do not all come from homes where parents are spending productive time with them, instilling good morals and great character traits. Doing the right thing starts in the home. It starts with families joining together to build each other up and being involved in things that are positive. Most youth join gangs because they are looking for a sense of belonging. In fact, according to www.cdc.gov_ 77% of gang members did not grow up in a home with their father, traditional family setting or they are 2nd and 3rd generation of felons. Doing the right thing means living beyond these statistics and challenging yourself to do more than your environment. I learned that we all have choices and these choices include choosing to be better than our parents and grandparents or even brothers, sisters and cousins. It means waking up daily and saying, “I don’t have to be a gangbanger. I can be the President of the United States. I don’t have to go around hurting people; I can devote my life to being a leader and helping others which could even result in a Nobel Peace award.” Doing the right thing means being positive and taking control of your own actions. It also means using your voice and influence for good and progressing, not for bullying or being involved in things that could land you in jail. Another contributing factor to violence is social media. Now that many people are connected to each other all over the world, it is easy to spread negativity, and hate. .states “16% of male students and 27.8% of female students reported being in a physical fight on school property in the 12 months due to social media disputes!” That means that people have more and more distractions from learning in school. Social media violence extends to celebrities, politicians, coaches and even business owners.
So how can I help change this? I’ve asked myself how doI do my part in the fight against violence. Choosing to do the right thing has helped me to be a better big brother to my younger brother, because I am his role model. I know that because he is watching everything that I do. I can’t lead him into bad actions. I am a leader and that means that even when I am not speaking, I have to use my actions to persuade others. I am also a part of the “Safe Schools Ambassador Program” at Crestwood. As a member, I am able to help others who may be bullied and be the eyes and ears to help teachers. As a leader in this program, I can show others that you don’t have to choose violence. You can choose to be a leader, a friend, a good neighbor, a good classmate and a high performer. Doing the right thing also starts in the mind. It means that you have to look at yourself and others positively and realize that we are helpers not hurters. “Cogito Ergo Sume” means, ‘I think therefore I am.’ That means, if I think that I can, I will. If I think that I can make a difference, then I will rise above violence and distractions. If I see myself as a positive influence, then I will be a positive influence. And that means, I have chosen to be the definition of “Doing the right thing.”
Have you seen Bootz Cultural Arts Center? It is a gem for Wellington and Royal Palm Beach residents. I was able to sit down with founder, Jeanne Bootz, to ask her about the origins of her business and what Bootz Cultural Arts Center has to offer.
Changes came to Bootz Cultural Arts Center with increased demand from the community for more fine arts classes. For instance, parents wanted Bak Middle School of the Arts and AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts audition prep courses for their children. And with the close relationship developing between Bootz Cultural Arts Center and the Wellington Art Society, the demands to bring in higher level art instruction and artist-focused gatherings instigated change. The Wellington Art Society currently meets at the Center.
I had never heard of “The Dot,” so I asked Jeanne. She told me it is a lovely book by Peter H. Reynolds about a girl finding acceptance as an artist by drawing dots. Jeanne loves the story because according to her, it is about making your mark and creating your own style or interest.
Jeanne Bootz sits on the Board of Directors of the Wellington Art Society and is Vice President of the Palm Beach County Art Teachers’ Association or PBCATA. Through the generosity of the Wellington Art Society there are some scholarships available for the summer camp program at the Center. Bootz Cultural Arts Center is also a unique venue for fundraisers and art shows. It is a space for artist development through workshops and gatherings. Bootz Cultural Arts Center is the only center for fine arts and cultural instruction of its kind in the western communities.
Lagoon of Life
