In southwest Atlanta, just like it is in a lot of other cities, there is no trust among young brothers and sisters for the police. In Atlanta, the police department is reaching out as best they can using a program called Clippers and Cops. This program is a joint outreach between barbers and cops to get the word out to finish school, and aim for a better future. A friend reached out to me and asked me if I would participate in this program to get the process started. So, I went with the Clippers and Cops team to Therrell High School. It was a rough go. The students were restless, and obviously mistrustful of the police officers there. The officers motioned me to the front of the room, and I did my best. Here’s a video of that experience:
It’s a long hard path, and I feel like the only way to get young brothers and sisters to the future they deserve is to speak to them directly, one-on-one. If I can help, if I can use my books, my experience, my background, and say the hard truths that need to be said, I’m ready to keep trying.
I’m interested in what Clippers and Cops is trying to do, but it’s going to take a long time, and it’s going to take dedication from people that young students can really believe in to bridge a huge gap of suspicion. The police have a tough challenge ahead.
Like everything else that I’m doing with my life, I just want to help, educate, and help point these students to someplace where there’s hope, and where they’re willing to accept that it takes hard work. The journey just got started. Trust has to be earned.
