Friday, Dallas, Texas

The murder of professional football star Sean Taylor this week shines a light on an insidious plague in America’s cities. For more than several decades the majority of Americans have looked away as thousands of teenagers and young adults men have been engaged in a lifestyle involving aggression, guns and murder.

One of his friends stated that Sean lived in fear that something would happen to him. Supposedly the group that used to associate with him felt rejected when Taylor made clear that his life and priorities had changed and he moved away from them. His friend said that Sean lived in fear for three years!

When does this shameful reality move up the media food chain and get its proper due from journalists, politicians and, especially social leaders who make their living monitoring the well being of the poor and people of color?

When will the laser rays of press attention aim at the men who sire children and leave the women to raise their kids alone?

When do we disarm teenagers who get their hands on guns?

When do we step in and hold parents accountable for the criminal acts of their children?

When does television, the video game industry and music stop glamorizing violence as the appealing way out of personal desperation?

The individuals who broke into Sean Taylor’s home and shot him to death were living the gang life where status is connected to being antisocial.

What kind of sickness are we glamorizing?