Education as a Pathway Out of Violence

Education has the profound power to transform lives—a truth I’ve come to realize through both personal hardships and moments of revelation. In the depths of my troubled youth, depicted in my memoir trilogy "Raised In Violence," I recount the lack of educational opportunities and the allure of the streets that filled that void. My journey from those grim

days in New Orleans’ toughest neighborhoods to becoming an author and advocate for youth empowerment underscores a crucial message: education can be a lifesaver, quite literally.

Reflecting on my childhood, education was not a priority in my community or even in my home. The schools I attended were under-resourced and over-crowded. Teachers were often too overwhelmed to connect with students on a personal level. Without guidance and support, many of us felt abandoned by the system supposed to uplift us. As a result, the streets became our classrooms, and unfortunately, they taught violence as a means of survival.

However, my perspective on education changed dramatically during my incarceration. Behind bars, I was introduced to educational programs that opened new horizons for me. I learned not just academic subjects but also critical thinking and emotional intelligence. This was my first real education, and it played a pivotal role in my transformation. It was through education that I began to see a way out of the cycle of violence that had defined much of my early life.

In the chapters of "Raised In Violence," I detail how each lesson learned, each book read, and each poem written behind bars helped to free my mind from the mental incarceration I’d experienced long before I was ever put behind bars. Education gave me the tools to express myself constructively and to imagine a future where I could contribute positively to society.

This is why I passionately advocate for enhancing educational opportunities for at-risk youth through "The Raised In Violence Initiative." We work to bridge the gap between underprivileged youth and quality education by partnering with schools and educational organizations. Our goal is not just to educate but to ignite a love for learning and a realization of its power to change one’s life course.

We also focus on alternative educational pathways that recognize the diverse needs and talents of young people. Not everyone will thrive in a traditional classroom setting, and so vocational training, apprenticeships, and creative arts programs are equally vital. These programs empower youth by showing them practical and attainable ways to build a future away from violence.

Education as a pathway out of violence is more than a theory; it’s a practice that I live by and advocate for every day. By investing in our youth's education, we are not just teaching them to read and write; we are teaching them to hope and dream. We are giving them the tools to construct not only their futures but also the future of their communities.

If my story can teach anything, it’s that with the right educational opportunities and community support, turning away from violence is not only possible but inevitable. Let’s commit to making education accessible to all as a fundamental right, not a privilege, and watch as it transforms lives, just as it transformed mine.