I am writing to express my deep displeasure at your choice for Grand Marshal for the 2011 parade. I’m quite sure you don’t care, as you had to consider the choice would be criticized by some, but I am extremely surprised at your callousness and utter disregard for the message that it sends to our children.
You
apparently have little regard for young teen girls or our community in general.
Even if we were to set aside his real life behavior, Kelly is a poor choice as
a role model or spokesman for anything non- adult. The overall message and
theme of his music is completely contrary to what we should be teaching our
youth. He’s a high school drop out, with a history of abusing underage girls,
and a musical message of thuggery, drug and alcohol abuse, and sexual
promiscuity. How is he a good spokesman for going back to school? Are our
children not important enough to feed their minds positive messages and images?
Are you completely unaware of the effects of positive and negative
reinforcement? Is it any wonder our kids have such a complete disregard for
themselves and others.
If this
is the type of role models that we present to our kids then how can we cry when
our neighborhoods become unsafe, and our brothers and sisters are murdered, and
another generation is raised by pop culture? I wonder why we accept this in our
community, and why we cry racism at any perceived slight, yet won’t take
obvious steps to clean up our own house? I for one am appalled!
To those
who made, cheered for, and supported this decision, sleep well at night knowing
your kids are safe.
Cantrell
Burks
Editor's
Note: The
decision to have R. Kelly serve in that capacity was made by the Chicago
Defender Charities, a separate entity from the Chicago Defender newspaper.
