Saturday, October 20, 2012

Joshua

I thought I had moved past the point in my life where I tried to make sense of senseless acts.  Right now I'm having a hard time with that.  I know better than to ask why but I can't help it.

What strange, vile fruit we bear, New Orleans.  What horrors we have sown.

I don't know what to do anymore.  I don't know how to help.  I'm not sure that we can be helped.  I'm not sure anyone cares anymore.  

Yesterday, this city...you, me....we are all responsible...took the life of one of its brightest.  Joshua was a young man that gave me, and the people in his life, hope.  In spite of the horrendous circumstances he was born into, he continually found a way to rise above it all and strived to make better himself and the people he loved.  The challenges he faced in his life, as a child, would make most adults crack but he somehow managed to rise above it all.  The world of shit this city threw at him from the cradle on didn't harden him or destroy his soul like so many other kids in his circumstances.  His hope and kindness humbled me to the point where whenever I, as a 40 year-old adult, would begin to feel sorry for myself, I would think about what Joshua had been through and how ridiculously privileged my own life really is.  If he could remain optimistic, I have no business wallowing in self-pity.

Had he realized his dream, to be a filmmaker, I can't begin to imagine the insight he could have given us all.  He was just 25....he was at the age where he was beginning to see a path for his life.  That path could have made this city a better place.  

New Orleans couldn't take his soul but yesterday it took his life.  And tomorrow it will take another one, it's almost guaranteed.  What have we become?


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jason. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. You are not alone. They're others who care, and continue to fight. I did not know Joshua. However, from what I have recently learned of him, I'm sure that he would want you to continue charging ahead. - BL

Anonymous said...

It hurts so extra bad because you crossed the line from filmmaker to mentor. Being human is being vulnerable. That's why so many choose otherwise, and why so many great souls fall young. Though NOLA can seem to conspire to whump the human right out of us, never surrender that humanity. So sorry for your loss and all our loss. So damn sorry. Peace, brother.

Clay said...

Wow.

TP writeup:
http://mobile.nola.com/advnola/pm_29227/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=fIaEp0RO

Editor B said...

Words fail me.

Red said...

dear friend

I'm so so so sorry for your loss - for our loss. I had a Joshua too in Brandon Franklin, 22 yrs young teacher, musician and father. Had many of the earmarks of Joshua's life and death. His murder in 2010 took a long hard toll on me. Saying this to say I can relate to the depths of sorrow this kind of senseless tragedy and loss puts you thru.

I'll donate to help his homegoing. And now that I've gotten my second wind back post B's death, I'll keep working towards efforts to make and keep our kids safe. And I'm here for you too brother, always.

love
Red

Anonymous said...

It is time for the slogans, committees, meetings, conferences, and general feel-good proposals about crime in this city to stop. Everyone, from the mayor on down, need to step up and do something about the violence in this City.

frog said...

The death of a dear one, the violent death of one so close, it is hard. You lash out at everyone and everything who did nothing to prevent that death. We grieve with you.

This city, this community is greater than any of us, and she is worth your continued fight. In spite of every wrong political act, of every wrong police act, in spite of every wrong act of senseless violence.

There are few people doing the important work that you do, and you must remain strong.

My heart goes out to you and I mourn with you.

Anonymous said...

Jason so sorry about your loss,
But as to the answer to your question as to WHY?

It's simple really, Children having Children.

Go to the prisons and ask two questions
1. How old was your mother when she had you?
2. Was there a positive male role model at home when you were growing up.

99% of them will tell you that mom was a teenager when she had them and no there was no positive male role model in the home.

If we really want to stop the killing then the AA women need to step up to the plate and quit having babies at such a young age.

Again I am so sorry for your loss.