He was the only son of his mother and he was just 12 years old. He was no different than any other child. He wanted to be a doctor when he grew up. His mother had given him a laptop, Air Jordan tennis shoes, and he even had an IPod. This summer she was going to buy him the new IPOD. This was a young man who attended church every Sunday; a child who got good grades in school. He was the perfect child. Then one night, something out of the ordinary happened, an incident that would change his life and that of his family, forever.
The mother of this young man was sitting in the living room watching the late news when the Crime Stoppers Show came on and the announcer was asking the public for help in identifying the suspect in the video. This was a video of a robbery where the suspect was pointing a gun at the clerk of the local neighborhood store and demanding the money from the cash register. The robber wore a mask to cover his face but his mannerisms and voice were very familiar to the mother, it was her son. The 12 year old son, who wanted to be a doctor, was now on the television robbing a store. The mother called the Houston Police and reported her son. This is a true story.
I also remember investigating another case in Orlando where a West Indian mother called the police to report that her daughter had taken the family car without permission. Her daughter was hooked on crack cocaine and would take the car without permission in search of drugs. The mother reported the car stolen. I asked the parent if she understood that her daughter would be arrested if I wrote the report. The mother stated that she loved her daughter more than the car and was willing to do whatever it took to keep her daughter off drugs, even it meant having her behind bars. It is this kind of resolve that we as parents must display and do what is right if we are to help our children who have gone by the wayside.
Young men and women of the Federation, today I want you remember the things I am going to tell you. The quality of life you plan to live in the future will depend on the quality of life that you live today. Remember that you hold the keys to your future quality of life. Be careful of the company you keep. Do not hang out with people who will encourage you to do wrong. Remember, you will have to pay the penalty, not them. You are the one who will have to go to jail; you are the one who have to pay for a lawyer to get out of trouble, not them. You are the one who will lose your freedom because you will be locked up in Jail, not them. You have everything to lose, not them. Do not let anyone put evil thoughts in your head. Remember that your future is the one that will be spoiled, not theirs. Learn to say no to those who will try to talk you or force you into doing bad things. You must say, or learn to say, “No!” Remember, it is your future that is getting messed up, not theirs. Sometimes theirs is already messed up so they want to spoil yours, tell them "No!!!" Even if it means losing their friendship, do not do it. No good friend who has your best interest is going to encourage you to do wrong. Break that friendship because you do not need it.
Let me explain what can happen to you if you get into serious trouble or continue to get into serious trouble in the Federation. At some time in your life, you are going to be afforded the chance to travel to another country. If you have a criminal record, selling weed, gun possession, robbery, murder, attempted murder, or any serious offense where you are convicted or imprisoned, you will not have a chance to go anywhere. You would have given up your chance to even visit your mother or father in America, Canada, or England as these countries do not let people with certain criminal records into their country. So even though you have a million subjects behind your name, committing and being convicted of crimes within the Federation kills your changes of moving ahead in life. Children, your future is in your hands, you can either do the right thing by staying away from gangs and not committing crimes, or you can gamble with your future by doing what is wrong. Do the right thing and do what is right.
I have had between 30 and 40 adults and young people come to my office in the last 40 days asking me to help them by not reporting that they have a criminal record. They were attempting to seek travel visas. I would have loved to help them but the law does not give me the authority to remove anyone’s criminal record or not report it. I have no authority to say you do not have a criminal record when you do. That means if you were going to get your green card and you have a record for possession of a gun or even listed as a gang member, your chances of getting that green card is almost nil. You have a much better chance of keeping ice cold on a hot stove, than getting that green card. Why? Because you chose to not do what is right. Just do it!
Young people, do what is right. Just do what is right. I know there is a lot of peer pressure, but I also had peer pressure growing up. I could have sold weed when I was your age, I chose to do the right thing and not do it. I have never smoked a joint in my life. I do not drink alcoholic beverages; I have made that personal choice. Young people, remember the story of Adam and Eve, they had a choice to do right or wrong, they chose to do wrong and they suffered the consequences. Please do not put yourselves in the position of losing out on life. Stay away from bad company, stay away from the gangs, and stay away from guns and drugs. The Defence Force has a cadet program that is in need of young men your age. The police can steer you to an agricultural program where you can eventually learn to be your own boss and support yourself and family. There are alternatives out there for you, but you must do the right thing and reach out for assistance. There is also the PEP program and AVEC where you can learn a skill.
Remember these words as you contemplate any action that will affect your future, “If it’s to be, it is up to me.” Think before making a decision that will destroy your future. I can also be reached at cgwalwyn@gmail.com if you would like to dialogue by email. You are our children and the future of the Federation. We love you and ask that you always think before you act.
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