This is an example of thoughtful journalism that the Vindicator used to be known for. An article that generates thought and discussion. When Murder becomes a way of life who's to blame? Boardman, steel mills closing, bad parenting, the economy, Youngstown City Schools, crack addicts, the Mayor, Obama, Stan? When I read the news that is reported and the reaction that follows I can only come to one conclusion. None of us has the answer! The "good old days" are all good old gone. The city of Youngstown is steeped in violence and has been for decades. What has changed is the population and the breakdown in community. Murder is not OK or a way of life. Contrary to popular belief blacks in Youngstown do not enjoy living amongst murderers and violence. There is a paralyzing fear that blankets the city and keeps people from trusting each other. Those that live on the outskirts of the city feel that they are not part of the problem and will do nothing to help. Those that live in the city are doing just that, trying to live! Murders will happen because people make poor decisions. Youngstown will not make a positive turn around without its citizens involvement.
There are some broad based statements being made on this particular story. This man lost his life by someone else's hand. Circumstances may have contributed to that, but some of the general factless comments are out of line. Kendal had people who cared about him regardless. It is easy for people who did not know him personally to attack where he lived, what he did and how he died. I knew Kendal through school, I grew up with him, we were friends. We went to the same schools, played in the same neighborhood and walked the same streets. I have been fortunate to be spared some of the harshness that Youngstown has to offer. I was raised by a single mom who at one time recieved welfare and have done just fine, never arrested never shot at or have I shot at anyone. I will not condemn Kendal for what happened to him or for choices that he made. He served his time. It's funny that some people have said "go to work get a job" in a place like Youngstown when the unemployment rate is higher than the national average. It is difficult for people with a pristine record to find work there. Yet the solution to all the problems in Youngstown is get a job. Where is this same ferver when the stories of mafia activity becomes front page news? Why do we criticize the mayor for the current state of Youngstown, when the murder rate has been much higher under previous administrations? Why is the Southside the dumping ground for social conditions that plague other cities and towns suffering the same ills? Some of you act as if the people of Youngstown enjoy living in the midst of all this violence, they don't. There is an attitude of if I avoid certain areas or never go into certain neighborhoods then I will never be a victim. You are wrong, it could happen to you and your loved ones just as it happens to others. It's good that we have freedom of speech and press in this country, but it is bad that everyone has the right to use it, because some of these opinions are horrible.
Kendall some of us remember you from brighter days. I know your memory will be criticized by some, tarnished by others, cherished by your family. Kendall Ware was not known to everyone as a thug or a murder. I remember him as a kid in school who was funny, smart and the target of a lot of fights. I do not say any of this to excuse the choices he made as a young man. But I feel it is necessary to tell a story from different angles. Some southsiders know Kendall as a good athlete a fighter and a class joker. All choices that we make have an opportunity for reflection. I choose to reflect on better times, for a boy who had seen better days and a young man that could have used a little more attention. I am sorry that you lost your life Kendall. I hope that your family will have some peace as they cope with their loss.
When murder becomes a way of life, a city can’t survive
This is an example of thoughtful journalism that the Vindicator used to be known for. An article that generates thought and discussion. When Murder becomes a way of life who's to blame? Boardman, steel mills closing, bad parenting, the economy, Youngstown City Schools, crack addicts, the Mayor, Obama, Stan? When I read the news that is reported and the reaction that follows I can only come to one conclusion. None of us has the answer! The "good old days" are all good old gone. The city of Youngstown is steeped in violence and has been for decades. What has changed is the population and the breakdown in community. Murder is not OK or a way of life. Contrary to popular belief blacks in Youngstown do not enjoy living amongst murderers and violence. There is a paralyzing fear that blankets the city and keeps people from trusting each other. Those that live on the outskirts of the city feel that they are not part of the problem and will do nothing to help. Those that live in the city are doing just that, trying to live! Murders will happen because people make poor decisions. Youngstown will not make a positive turn around without its citizens involvement.
June 28, 2010 at 10:41 p.m. permalink suggest removal
VIDEO: Police identify dead man found in submerged SUV
There are some broad based statements being made on this particular story. This man lost his life by someone else's hand. Circumstances may have contributed to that, but some of the general factless comments are out of line. Kendal had people who cared about him regardless. It is easy for people who did not know him personally to attack where he lived, what he did and how he died. I knew Kendal through school, I grew up with him, we were friends. We went to the same schools, played in the same neighborhood and walked the same streets. I have been fortunate to be spared some of the harshness that Youngstown has to offer. I was raised by a single mom who at one time recieved welfare and have done just fine, never arrested never shot at or have I shot at anyone. I will not condemn Kendal for what happened to him or for choices that he made. He served his time. It's funny that some people have said "go to work get a job" in a place like Youngstown when the unemployment rate is higher than the national average. It is difficult for people with a pristine record to find work there. Yet the solution to all the problems in Youngstown is get a job. Where is this same ferver when the stories of mafia activity becomes front page news? Why do we criticize the mayor for the current state of Youngstown, when the murder rate has been much higher under previous administrations? Why is the Southside the dumping ground for social conditions that plague other cities and towns suffering the same ills? Some of you act as if the people of Youngstown enjoy living in the midst of all this violence, they don't. There is an attitude of if I avoid certain areas or never go into certain neighborhoods then I will never be a victim. You are wrong, it could happen to you and your loved ones just as it happens to others. It's good that we have freedom of speech and press in this country, but it is bad that everyone has the right to use it, because some of these opinions are horrible.
April 8, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. permalink suggest removal
VIDEO: Police identify dead man found in submerged SUV
Kendall some of us remember you from brighter days. I know your memory will be criticized by some, tarnished by others, cherished by your family.
Kendall Ware was not known to everyone as a thug or a murder. I remember him as a kid in school who was funny, smart and the target of a lot of fights. I do not say any of this to excuse the choices he made as a young man. But I feel it is necessary to tell a story from different angles. Some southsiders know Kendall as a good athlete a fighter and a class joker.
All choices that we make have an opportunity for reflection. I choose to reflect on better times, for a boy who had seen better days and a young man that could have used a little more attention.
I am sorry that you lost your life Kendall. I hope that your family will have some peace as they cope with their loss.
April 3, 2009 at 6:58 p.m. permalink suggest removal