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There was a macabre film conjured up by the cinema madmen from Hollywood in1987 titled ‘The Lost Boys’. The production narrative from IMBd.com says this about the movie. “A mother and her two sons move to a small coast town in California.The town is plagued by bikers and some mysterious deaths. The younger boy makes friends with two other boys who claim to be vampire hunters while the older boy is drawn into the gang of bikers by a beautiful girl. The older boy starts sleeping days and staying out all night while the younger boy starts getting into trouble because of his friends’ obsession.”
We hear about the unfortunate murder of Trayvon Martin, the young Black man who was allegedly slain while in route to his father’s house in Sanford, Fla. just because he aroused the suspicions of one of the areas “hired thugs.” I, like most of America am outraged by this murderous turn of events. However, I am far more incensed by events happening much closer to the confluence of the Allegheny, Monogahela and Ohio rivers.
On Jan. 30, Khiry Templin Watts, a standout and gifted young Black man who seemed as if he had just found the compass to assist him along the road to becoming a standout human being lost his life, not to one of the many George Zimmerman’s that may or may not be lying and waiting. Mr. Watts met his demise by committing suicide. According to a November 2008 article by Mike White of the Post-Gazette, Watts explained that, “My life was terrible.” Then the Templins (his adopted family who happened to be Caucasian) helped turn it around. “They brought me into their house and taught me a lot,” Watts said. “They taught me about family.” White observed that, “For Khiry Watts, it doesn’t get much better. He is having an unforgettable football season—and he has a family to enjoy it with him. Watts is a senior running back at Avonworth High School and one of the main reasons the Antelopes are 11-0.” But family by proxy just wasn’t enough for this young and troubled Black mind.
What happened to Khiry Templin Watts between November of 2008 and Jan. 30? In approximately three years and two months his life did not slowly evolve; apparently it slowly dissolved. Most of us cannot be appointed a family; we have to be anointed with a family. The composition of a strong family unit may often be just as dependent on the genesis of genetics as it is on a generic environment. Just like in the sports world if you are traded to another team the “synergetic” process perhaps may be more complex depending upon the individual dynamics and compatibility of your individual teammates.
Ms. Daren A. Ellerbee, outreach coordinator, CASA of Allegheny County had this to say in regards to the loss of this “reclaimed” young man with such a bright future. “Here at the CASA office we were of course saddened having lost one of our precious children. However, overall I have the feeling that he was a good kid. Many of our CASA children experience a lot of adversity but he [Khiry Watts] was trying to make the best of his circumstances.”
A mother and her two sons move to a small coast town in California.
When will African-American men stop just stepping up to the plate and begin to send a few balls sailing over the centerfield wall. We need far more than men just stepping up to the plate. A few boys must begin to hit the covers off the ball.
The town is plagued by bikers and some mysterious deaths.
There are many more “bikers” that are vigilantes that plague our system in the high school and college classrooms and locker rooms all across the country. George Zimmerman is not just a blip on the radar screen; the George Zimmermans of America are the radar screen. The perpetrators of these modern day vigilante acts are far more common than society would have any of us believe. There are many Zimmerman-like officials and teachers that are policing athletics and classrooms in a biased, slanted and heinous way. Cs are given to students who deserve As. Certain athletes are forced to ride the bench because of blatant nepotism, cronyism and any other “ism’s” and “schism’s” that may be illegitimately applied.
Black America is sickening me with this fake a—outrage, we shall overcome singing b.s. complete with balloon filled marches and vigils.
As has been proven the real vigils are being kept in the dark by those waiting to strike people of color like silent cobras with a numbing venom that the victim will never feel entering the stream of his or her consciousness.
Let me see, UConn was just penalized for a miserable graduation rate for their men’s basketball team. Oh yeah, why you ask? Don’t matter the school got the loot. The athlete does not have to perform in the classroom only in the athletic arena.
But ya know what? I saved the worst for last. In the years dating 2008-2010 there were more children in Chicago killed by Black on Black violence than soldiers that fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.
Don’t lecture me about no freakin’ George Zimmerman. Next time you see a young African-American at the plate and strike three is called and you know that it was a ball, think G.Z. When the ref calls a young Black receiver out of bounds when the replay clearly shows that he was in hey my man; G.ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ will set you free.
(Aubrey Bruce can be reached at abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412-583-6741.)
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