Kermit Delashment: Number 500

Jan01

by Duane on January 1st, 2009 at 2:15 am

Posted In: Commentary, Just "Why?", Mentoring, Our children, The Brothas

The homicide apparently nobody in the Black blogosphere is talking about.

How about the homicide wave in Chicago?

Obama getting into the White House? There ya’ go!

When 500 mostly Black men and women who are murdered in one city barely get a mention in our own space–a space many claim symbolizes a new form of activism, all we are doing is blowing smoke.

Is the Black blogosphere a fair representation of Black America?
Proof Of The Disconnect Between The Black Blogosphere And The Rest Of Black America

College student is city’s 500th homicide of year

BY LISA DONOVAN AND FRANK MAIN Staff Reporters
suntimes.com

As the city saw its 500th homicide of the year this week, the highest toll in five years, a mother was trying to come to grips with the death of her first-born.

Michele Delashment said her 21-year-old son, Kermit Delashment II — one of four children — had recently earned his associate’s degree in computer science at Olive-Harvey College. He was preparing to move to Carbondale to attend Southern Illinois University, putting him on the road, he hoped, to playing professional basketball in Europe. (more…)

I’m tired of reading stories like this. Hopefully Delasment’s death will soon serve as a flashpoint where folks really began to take it upon themselves to stop this deadly trend. Until that point, the ‘sphere has to become more than a echo chamber for mainstream media anytime they need to drive a race-based story. This technology is just too important and too powerful to overlook something like this.

The song has gotten too old and too played out. This self-genocide has to stop TODAY.

CHICAGO RAPPERS REMAKE ‘SELF DESTRUCTION’: KRS-One returns to update anti-violence plea with Twista, Syleena Johnson and more

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└ Tags: Black men, Kermit Delashment, murder wave

william34

I as a Christian see that the young man was not murdered when he was found. I pray that the young man or his mother remembered the Lords prayer before he died. So many people do not have the chance to ask for forgiveness during these times. I fear not the times we live in. For this world, things are only going to get worse before they get better before Jesus comes. Jesus said fear not the one that can kill the body, fear the one that can kill mind, body and your soul. May the Lord Jesus bless the family of the victim. The book of Romans the 10 chapter and verses 9 through 13 tells you how to be saved. The book of proverbs says He is a shield to those that walk in integrity.
http://yahoo Auntie

Fortunately, he was saved and so is his family. Thank you for your prayers and scripture.
Wizz

People probably don’t talk about it because they know nobody cares. At least not enough to do something about it. How long has this been going on? Longer than I’ve been alive. And anything that is proposed to address it that affects the average person in the slightest is instantly disregarded. So why bother?.. And the main reason you won’t read about this stuff on the black blogosphere is that most people in the blogoshpere don’t live in the neighborhoods where all this mess is happening. They are mostly college educated people who have moved up and moved on… Worry about yourself, move up, and move on… How many times have you expressed these ideas?
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane

How many times have you expressed these ideas?

About as many as the times you did not make assumptions on this site. Now that we got the jabs out of the way…

Most of those who took part in the nationwide protests for Shaquanda Cotton, the Jena 6, and other poster children of outrage did not live in the hood. While I do agree that living around it does create a personal connection to the issue, I do not believe (as proven in the past) that one has live two doors from a crack house to feel motivated to do something about this.

What definitely will deep-six any discussion on this issue is the assumption that Blacks who live in the suburbs need to move back into the hood in order to “keep it real”. I believe and know that there are people out there who are keeping a personal pulse on friends and family who choose to stay in the hood. Just about every major Black migration in this country was fueled by Blacks who managed to move away while keeping their doors open for family members and friends out of town. So again, this notion that Blacks in the suburbs left their bruthas and sistahs behind is empty.

I think a big reason behind this disconnect is the fact that we have made racism to be the prime motivator instead of plain ‘ol good will.
Wizz

Most of those who took part in the nationwide protests for Shaquanda Cotton, the Jena 6, and other poster children of outrage did not live in the hood.

And what did those protests resolve?.. Nothing.. There are protests and rallies and everything else damn near weekly (daily in the summer) in Chicago… I’ve been to a few myself… All the while the people who actually are doing the shooting are watching from the sidelines laughing… You can call for internet rallies from now until the end of time… They won’t change anything because the people you are trying to reach (the killers and the people with the power to stop the killers) don’t give a damn…

What definitely will deep-six any discussion on this issue is the assumption that Blacks who live in the suburbs need to move back into the hood in order to “keep it real”.

I’m not arguing for that. My argument was that people in the black blogs know what the hell is going on in the hood already. Many of us grew up there. We know people get killed there. That is why people move away. Are you going to write about every Pookie who gets killed on the West Side of Chicago? If so you better start now. Better yet.. Just create a few templates. One for the local drug dealer shot in a turf war, one for the local basketball star in the wrong place at the wrong time, one for young college girl with the drug dealer boyfriend, the innocent bystander, etc… Just repeat these on a daily basis and fill in the names and city… This has become background noise to us now. So much so that we celebrate and glorify the lifestyles that generate this mess. And it is even more background noise to the people who have moved on from it. It’s just a headline. And I am not trying to get anyone to move anywhere… Nor am I arguing that anyone left anybody behind. I’m just making a statement.
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane

I’m not talking about calling for Internet rallies. I think we should move beyond that. Consider this–

Think about all the dollars that was spent by the thousands of protesters who traveled to Jena, LA.

# Money spent for gas
# Money spent for hotel expenses
# Bus fare
# Plane fare
# Cost of food
# Costs associated with putting together those t-shirts

Then there was the amount of air time we gave to this situation in our own media.

How about using our own media to identify people and organizations that are addressing these issues on a daily basis. Tom Joyner does it. Michael Basiden does it. And I’m sure there are others out there in radio land. Then take the money I identified earlier and funnel it to these on the ground soldiers? I have a friend of mine that I have known for years who has a school in Philly. No website to show for it, but she has been out there “doing it” for a long time. There is a couple who are also dear friends of mine and who I have worked with for years who have a summer camp in the Atlanta area. I mention folks like this all the time on my site, but I gotta tell ya, it can be difficult generating interest in what they are doing. That kind of stuff doesn’t compete well with the latest shot of Beyonce’s behind or the long line of folks who are tripin’ over each other to defend the Obamas from the latest racist nut job.
Yonne

The homicide rate among young black men across this country, not just Chicago, but across this country is heart wrenching. In this case, Kermit DeLashment was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. He asked for a ride and got into the back seat of a car. He was NOT the intended target. He was a good kid to his parents and had no trouble with authorities (i.e., no police record). This goes to show you that just living on the South Side (as well as in other urban neighborhoods across the country) increases the odds of becoming a homicide victim.
Another thing that I’m concerned about is that although the media have made it a mission to highlight the “500th Victim” in their coverage, as he has been referred to as (on countless occasions), they have only reported comments from his mother. It is important for all to know that he had a very good relationship with his father. He is not a child of a single parent. It is my hope that the media, in their further reporting, will interview Mr. Kermit DeLashment, Sr. for his comments as well.
So what do we do about the homicide rate among black youth? I believe that the solution to the problem is multifaceted. However, we start with the people. For it is not guns that kill; it is people that kill. But beyond that, there is a lot that must be done to stop senseless killings. I have knowledge of some of the sociologic aims, but there are many. It will take the efforts of investigators (police), researchers, advocates, and judicial members (lawyers and judges).
Nevertheless, Kermit DeLashment was loved by many. His Homegoing Service was evident of this. He will be missed by all…including me, his big cousin.
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane

Yonne,

I already got one e-mail out. Did the funeral already happen?
Yonne

Yes, the funeral was Sunday, December 28, 2008. Church jam-packed……more than 2000 attendees…….
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane

It is my hope that the media, in their further reporting, will interview Mr. Kermit DeLashment, Sr. for his comments as well.

If you can set it up for me, I would be more than happy to interview him and post it as a podcast. This site is associated with Global Grind (Russell Simmons’ web venture), so getting the word out would not be a problem. You can contact me further by clicking on “Contact” above so we can talk further.
Kermit Sr

I just wanted to respond to those who may be curious about my son and our relationship. Kermit lived with me (his dad). We had a very strong relationship. After graduating from high school it was I who rented the truck and took him to school. Whenever he got homesick and just needed to see his family it was I who drove hours to either pick him up or attend his games. Just this summer I strongly encouraged my son to complete his associates degree so that he could finish his associates degree. He really didn’t want to, because he was out of scholarship money, but I offered to pay for it (and did) and he went. He was so happy that he completed this class that we were discussing him pursuing his educational career as well as playing professional basketball. I was not and am not an absentee father in none of my kids lives. However, the newspapers are out to sell papers and not very interested in the truth. I guess its more financially lucrative to portray the hurting mother with no mention of dad than to tell the truth. For the record my son loved me and I loved him. He lived with me, and I was the last person to speak with him, (not his mom)on this terrible day. I’m also the primary point of contact for the detectives working the case, because I want to be an active participant in the capture of my son’s killer. I want to thank those who were interested in my son’s story enough to want to know about his dad.
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane

fyi,

I have been talking with members of the Delashment family and was able to connect with the Dad. I will be interviewing him this coming week. That interview will be made available sometime during this next week.
Lena

Kerm was and still remain a very good friend in my life. We went to high school together and alsways kept intouch. I want his family to know that you all remain in my prayers and im here if you need anything. Lauren, i love you baby girl. Keep ya head up. I know how it feels to loose a older brother whom you were close to. The relationship lives on. Do what he wanted you to do. Be the best in all you do, and GOD haves his arms around you and the family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME2wBrV3Klo Lil’ Kermit’s Auntie

I am little Kermit’s Auntie! I am so grateful for all who have expressed interest in this story. I’ve heard so many peoople ask what can we do about the senseless killings of our black boys/men? Well I believe it is our responsibility to change the statistics in our communities. We have to help cause the change that is needed. My family and I are all actively involved in different ways trying to actively change gun laws and have vowed to get involved in the lives of our young black men so that we start while they are young teaching them to value life and education. My nephew was a good child with big dreams and a big smile. The Delashment Family will NOT let his death be in vain! We miss him soooo much! I wrote a poem in his memory entitled “My Heart Bleeds”. I hope it speaks to you too!

My Heart Bleeds

This letter is to every thug and gangster on the street,
Every drug dealer and hustler that I may or may not meet.
I don’t think you can see quite what I see,
But I hope you hear my heart in the words that I speak.
Today I make my desperate plea,
For you to listen about how you can stop making my heart bleed.
I’m trying to love you the way you deserve to be,
But you’re making loving you way too hard for me.
Every time you choose to use a gun,
You kill my husband, my brother, my nephew, my son.
Maybe you two just didn’t agree,
Or maybe he was in the wrong place on the street.
But when you kill him you kill a part of me,
And now loving you is becoming more difficult for me.

See God created woman to partner with you,
So in a woman’s heart that’s all she really wants to do.
She desires to support your every dream,
except when it consists of danger, pain and being mean.
Please don’t ask us to hold your drug stash,
While you’re selling drugs trying to get a little cash.
See if the cops find it on you or me,
Both of us won’t be able to raise our family.
Yes a woman can do it all by herself.
But it’s more difficult without you and she could use your help.
A single parent homes is not the way God intended things to be,
But your choices are making this a reality for me.
I can’t raise him to be a strong man like you would do,
But when I’m left with no choice you can bet I’m gonna do what I gotta do.
I’d rather raise him with you as my husband by my side,
So together we can show him commitment, integrity and family pride.
I want to love you the way you deserve to be,
But Man you’re making loving you way too hard for me.

See the white racist who still hate us and wish we were dead,
Still draw ropes around our head on our pictures in the paper when we’re dead.
They sit back and laugh as you take each others lives,
Because the hate they have for us is now transferred into your eyes.
So instead of you seeing another brother trying to survive like you and me,
You see a man who looks just like you, as your enemy.
I’m here to make my desperate plea,
For every man to see the power in him that I see.
You have enough sense to build and run a gang,
To strategize and organize for the sake of your gang’s name.
You establish territory, recruit and train others to do the same.
Can’t you see you’re a leader Man, a business man with potential for great fame.
Why not use your power to mentor and train every boy that you meet.
Teach them to value life, education and integrity.
Tell them about the mistakes that you’ve made,
So they will grow. Do you know how many lives you can save?
See they come to you when they don’t understand me,
When they come I need you to teach them not to make my heart bleed.

My heart bleeds when I watch you get carried to jail,
It bleeds when you’re sentences to live in a jail cell.
It bleeds when you struggle to rejoin the society.
It bleeds when you can’t get a job because of a felony.
It bleeds when you call me out of my name.
It bleeds when you say this is me and I won’t change.
It bleeds when you choose to drop out of school.
It bleeds when you’re out cursing, drinking, and smoking like a fool.
It bleeds for every fatherless child in the world.
It bleeds when you fail to father your little girl.
It bleeds when you choose not love God completely.
And it bleeds when you choose the streets over your family.

There are thousands of women longing for marriage and a family.
But so many of you are taken by guns, drugs and homosexuality.
Many of us genuinely want to support and love you,
But when you choose violence and drugs over us we don’t know what to do.
For years your choices have jeopardized our lives, families and communities.
Please tell me when you’re going to stop making every woman’s heart bleed?
This is not what God intended for you to be,
A thug, a drug dealer or gangster out on the street.
When God’s true purpose and you finally meet,
Loving you will become much easier for me.
Then I can support you as you fulfill your divine destiny.
But If you never pursue that, my heart will continue to bleed.

Copyright 2009
Inspiration: The senseless death of my nephew Kermit Delashment
(12-22-08) R.I.P.
Angela Hamb

To the Delashment Family, I was and am still sorry to hear about the passing of your son. I pray that God continues to strengthen your family. No matter what the newspaper try to portray, you know you son, and his heart as well as does God. I know that the killer or killers will be dealt with, vengeance is mine said the Lord. And if the Police don’t catch the perp God will handle it as only he can. Keep the faith.
http://NONE KITA

KERM & I WERE & IS GOOD FRIENDS, I AM SO OUTRAGED, UPSET, DEVASTATED & ON THE VERGE OF LOSING MY RELIGION. I AM GOING 2 BREIFLY TOUCH ON A FEW COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT ON THIS SITE. 1ST I DONT BLV N THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA, MY CHURCH FAMILY JUST PRAYFULLY WENT THROUGH LIES & SCRUTINEY FROM THE MEDIA TOWARDS MY AWESOME PASTOR EMERITUS DR.REV.WRIGHT JR. SO I KNOW 1ST HAND HOW THE MEDIA LIES & TWIST YOUR WORDS, SO ITS BEST NOT 2 GIVE STATEMENTS OF ANY KIND. KERM & I LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM EACH OTHER. HE IS/WAS AN AWESOME YOUNG MAN & VERY BRIGHT, MY MOM LOVES HIM ALSO. I AM A WITNESS THAT HE LIVED WITH HIS DAD, KERM DID LOVE HIS DAD & FAMILY, I AM SO OUTRAGED THAT NO 1 IS TALKING 2 THE DETECTIVES 2 ALLOW THEM 2 SOLVE KERM CASE. WE CAN NOT CONTINUE 2 B SILENT AFRICAN AMERICAN’S WHEN & IF WE KNOW DETAILS ABOUT OUR OWN PEOPLE KILLING’S. 1ST I’M GOING 2 PIGGY BACK 2 (WIZZ COMMENT #5) I AGREE THAT THE PERP/’S IF THEY R LIVING, “THEY VERY WELL MIGHT B LAUGHING @ THE SIDELINES”, SO WHAT! WE CAN NOT JUST STOP MARCHING & PROTESTING B/C WE DONT C A VISABLE CHANGE RIGHT AWAY IN OUR HOODS WE MUST NEVER GIVE UP DOING EVERY LITTLE THING TO MAKE A CHANGE. HELL 2 THE YES!!! 1 PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF OUR 1ST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT (MY FORMER CHURCH FAMILY MEMBER)WOULD HAVE THOUGHT LIKE THAT THEN HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN OUR SENATOR OR OUR (WHAT?!!) PRESIDENT. KERM WAS TAKEN FROM US ON MY F****** BDAY, I WILL NOT REST UNTIL THE PERP/’S R CAUGHT. FAMILY WE HAVE 2 WAKE UP & REALIZE THAT WE HAVE 2 TEACH & PROTECT & TRAIN OUR KIDS & STOP ALLOWING THESE DAMN STREETS 2 RAISE THEM. 1ST OF ALL OUR AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG MEN HAVE 2 BE TAUGHT THAT THESE STREETS & DRUGS THAT R BEING FOUGHT OVER R NOT OURS. PARENTS HAVE 2 STAND UP & BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR KIDS LIKE BACK N THE DAY. THESE GANGS R NOT REAL GANGS B/C IF THEY KNEW THE HISTORY OF CHICAGO GANGS THEY WOULD KNOW THAT GANGS WERE FORMED 2 PROTECT NOT DISTRUCT OUR OWN. I’M A REBEL FOR CHANGE; MY FATHER IS A FORMER BLACK PANTHER MEMEBER SO I KNOW THE HISTORY ALONG WITH RESEARCHING ABOUT GANGS. I COULD MOVE OUT THE HOOD BUT I’M CHOOSING NOT 2 I HAVE LIVED N THE HOOD OF P.P.H FOR 20 YEARS. I WANT 2 PIGGY BACK 2 (YONNE COMMENT #7) GOD BLESS U FOR MAKING IT PLAIN ABOUT HOW IT’S THE PEOPLE NOT THE GUNS THAT KILL. I ALONG WITH MY ENTIRE CHURCH FAMILY HAVE THE DELASHMENT FAMILY LIFTED UP N PRAYER. I WANT 2 THANK GOD FOR MR.DELASHMENT SR STEPPING UP & MAKING IT KNOW 2 THE DAMN MEDIA THE TRUTH. I’M ALSO UPSET WITH THE C.P.D. AS A WHOLE THAT HAS ALLOWED 500 PLUS MURDERS 2 OCCUR N OUR CITY. I’M PIGGYING BACK 2 (#14 KERM’S AUNTIE); SWEETIE I LOVED UR POEM I CRIED FROM BEGINNING 2 END. I WOULD LIKE U 2 CONTACT ME DIRECTLY B/C I WOULD LIKE 2 JOIN THE FAMILY N THE CRUSADE, I’M DOING A FEW THINGS ON MY OWN ALSO. I AM ACTIVELY INVOLVED N ALL THE YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN N MY FAMILY WHICH HAVE TRICKLED DOWN 2 THE YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN THAT THEY KNOW. I HAVE OVER 10 NEPHEW’S, 5 GREAT NEPHEWS & THANKS B 2 GOD THEY R ALL ON THE RIGHT PATH, BLV IT OR NOT THEY WOULD RATHER FEEL THE WRATH OF (EX: C.P.D) THEN ME. IF OUR YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN KNEW WHAT WE COULD BECOME IF THEY USED ALL THAT KNOWLEDGE TOWARD MAKING OUR HOMES, COMMUNITY’S, CITY’S BETTER NO ONE COULD TOUCH US. 1 OF THE ISSUES IS MOST AFRICAN AMERICAN’S DO NOT KNOW THERE RICH HISTORY & WHERE WE COME FROM IF THAT WAS KNOWN (WOWWWW),SOME RACES INCLUDING OUR OWN R SCARED OF OUR POTIENTIAL. THIS KILLING HAS 2 STOP! THERE R NO MORE EXCUSES, NOTHING IS GAINED. GANGSTERS, HUSTLER’S, DRUG DEALER’S WANNA B’S GO 2 THE LIBRARY & LEARN YOUR RICH HISTORY. OUR ANCESTOR’S & JESUS R DIEING EACH TIME 1 OF US IS MURDERED BY US. O.K. I’M OFF MY SOAP BOX & LAST THING (#15 ANGELA) THANK YOU FOR THAT QUOTE “VENGENCE IS MINE SAID THE LORD” I HAVE 2 SAY THAT EVERY MOMENT B/C I’M TRYING NOT 2 POTIENTIALLY C.A.C OVER KERM’S MURDER. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME 2 READ; NOW LETS GET UP & GET OUT & MAKE THAT CHANGE. SOUTHSIDE LETS B THE 1ST 2 COME 2GETHER & START THE CHANGE & THEN WATCH THE WEST, EASTSIDE FOLLOW SUIT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TAUGHT 2 B A LEADER. PLEASE IF UR NOT GOING 2 B PART OF THE SOLUTION KEEP THE PIE HOLE SHUT!
KERM I GOT U BABY (R.I.P)
CHI~CITY
http://www.vintage2009.webs.com Jay

I am his cousin. Thank God the too men who murdered him were charged today.

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