De'Jon+W

Dialogue: Mr. Rahim, founder of positive choices, and De’Jon White are enjoying a nice lunch in subway. They are joined by Delbert Elliot, author of ‘Youth Violence: An Overview’. Their mood is suddenly saddened when they here on TV a thirteen year boy was killed due to gun violence. De’Jon: Everyday, the same thing over and over. I wish we stop harming each other. Mr. Rahim: This is so disappointing. It’s like no matter how old a person is, they are sucked into this trap of violence. I try extremely hard to keep these kids off the streets. But it is a shame because there are still a huge number of incidences. Delbert: What is it that you do to help these children? Mr. Rahim: I started the program called positive choices. Its main goal is to push the kids in a different direction. We have sports, summer jobs, volunteer work and much more. My main goal is to show these children all the options that they have. But it only helps the few kids that join the program. But making a difference in at least one life fills my heart. I just wish all the crime would stop. Our children are not safe at all. Delbert: That is an interesting program you have there. But do you know why these kids are violent to begin with? De’Jon: Why? Is it because of the neighborhoods they live in? Delbert: Yes. That is part of the reason. These violent actions are learned behaviors. You see, your behavior reflects the environment that you are exposed to. It’s kind of like these community educates our youth how to be violent. Mr. Rahim: Correct. That is why I want to educate them differently. Delbert: Yes. But do you believe that after leaving your program, these children are going to forget all the behaviors they have already acquired over the years? But your program does provide hope. That is the good thing about programs like yours. Once we stop viewing our youth as the awful offenders and start viewing them as the victims of this awful cycle. Mr. Rahim: Yes. I do believe that they are not fully the blame of these actions. There are many factors that must be taken into account. The biggest factor is indeed, what they are learning are their environment. De’Jon: So are you guys saying that because these kids are born into this kind of environment, they are shaped to be violent? Delbert: Yes and it is a continual circle, that continues to grow. But at least programs like Mr. Rahim’s can give these children hope that is needed. Well, it looks like I have to run. See you guys another time.