MY CITY IS SICK. IT’S TROUBLED, and it needs my help.
La Marque feels a lot like a combat zone, and its citizens feel trapped. Over a span of 10 days recently, Galveston County was home to the deaths of three young black men and four wounded. The area has become a hotbed of violence not seen since the apex of the gang violence that clouded the area in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
On Sunday, the 409 Action Network took a huge step toward finding the remedy behind the rash of senseless violence generated by young men who lack a true understanding of the value of life. Whatever influence they are under has resulted in shattered lives across the board, be it the family grieving for the loss of youth denied or the shooter whose life is forever altered as just another number in the Texas criminal system.
On Monday, I type this with the purpose of asking what I can do?
La Marque is home. It is one of the anchors of The Post Newspaper. We take great pride in sharing the good news that comes out of the community, and there is plenty good the city can be proud of. At the same time, I choose not to be helpless or on the sidelines when we, as a newspaper that represents the community, can do our part to alter the direction a few have chosen to take Galveston County upon.
The best path to a solution is to begin to understand why this is happening. We need to be able to connect and reach out to our youth and ask why they choose to go down a path that leads to nothing beyond heartache and pain. We have to connect and get them to understand there are far, far better roads to travel rather than being in position of taking a life.
Proverbs 24:11 reads, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those that are stumbling toward the slaughter.” This is what the 409 Action Network and the other community advocates are seeking to do. It is well past time those of us who love Galveston County and care for its well being to throw out the life preservers to the youngsters sinking toward a life of prison. It’s time for us to make defensive tackles and get into a three-fingered stance and hold the line and thwart the next wave of violence.
Life has constantly led me back to Galveston County, be it from Houston, San Marcos, Gresham OR or Seattle. No matter what my game plan was, God decided, “Nope, B. I need you here in Galveston County. You may not understand why, but one day, you will, and you’ll fully understand the plan I laid out for you.”
Perhaps this is part of the plan. Only He knows. If it is, I am sure I’ll be all-in.
Clearing our cities of violence and saving our youth is a team effort. That said, The Post Newspaper welcomes the opportunity to help in any way, shape or form possible. Our pages welcome the opinions and suggestions of those seeking to alter the current course. We are here to help law enforcement, schools, mayors, etc. when it comes to promoting events that can help.
We are certainly here for the pastors and clergy who are willing to help stand in the gap.
The Post Newspaper is your paper. I’m only here to fill it.
I am here to help. Let’s do this together and do our part to assure that 2021 can come and go without the senseless loss of a promising life.
God Bless.
Brandon C. Williams
Editor, The Post Newspaper
