I decided to help my friend, because he was out of town promoting #ChooseLife in North Carolina, so it was an honor when I first received the call from Barton that he wanted me to head the table. I think it was due to the passion I felt about losing friends and saving the ones I had left.
Barton wants to help younger generations make smarter decisions to prolong their lives, but I became aware this weekend that not only does he need to reach out to younger generations, but to the older ones as well.
As the event kicked off I met with several young men, some who came over to the table just because a pretty face sat there, others who wanted to know what the heck was #ChooseLife. Some thought it was a great idea and donated money and purchased a shirt with the saying on it.
Now who came up with this living fast idea, and are they still alive? When did it become popular to live fast, and die young? Yes, you can live fast and make it to see an older age, but does that mean you truly appreciated all that life had to offer?
Or did you forget to slow down and realize what was most important....
I'm not one to tell anyone how to live their lives, but I'm one to keep it real, so I will tell you....
That living fast, gets you no where and helps you understand nothing. It's going to be hard for Barton to change the mindset of a city like, Newport News where violence is the teacher and death is the test. See, I have had my days of living fast, but I can barely remember them, that's exactly how fast they were.
What does it take to change a city like Newport News? See, Barton can travel all across the country promoting #ChooseLife, but if he can't save the lives in his own city, then has he failed? ...
I just want you all to understand that this cause is bigger then the four guys we lost, it's bigger then our city, and it's bigger then ourselves, but if you can't be bigger then living fast, you will surely die young and if you have lived a long life fast, then you died a long time ago. You died a long time ago, because you didn't appreciate anything life had to offer so you were already dead.
The only thing promised in our lives is death, the only thing free is life....
you made alot of strong points Martia. i hear some of the same questions and comments when im asked or speak about the campaign and all i can do is smh. we'll continue to do what we can and can only hope that people follow our lead. If not for themselves, then for others.
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