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Violence and Our Youth
By Timothy Green

I have been honored with a request to express my opinion on violence in America and Black Youth. When asked to take on this task there were millions of thoughts that flooded through my mind. I thought of statistics that may be helpful in aiding others to understand the gravity of this situation, but that has its' place. Then I thought of my audience and then I decided to be lead by the Holy Spirit. I am reminded of a verse found in book of Matthew 6:33; "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and ALL these things will be added unto you."

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I have had the honor of holding the Bench of the Municipal Court in Big Spring, Texas for the past six years. That has allowed me the privilege to look into many lives and ponder why the violence and discourse in so many lives. It has been argued many times that it was an economic problem. Some have even suggested that the problems lied within a given race of people. I say that there are not enough people "seeking first the Kingdom of God." I love my Catholic faith because it lends itself to the historic riches of Gods' Kingdom. Gods' hand has always been with the church. Even through the most difficult times of the church God was and still is good.

Our problem and the answer to healing our youth lie with us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states;

2222 Parents must regard their children as children of God and respect them as human persons. Showing themselves obedient to the will of the Father in heaven, they educate their children to fulfill God's law.
 
I have met too many parents that state that they attend church but they are not going to force that on their children. The false logic is that their children do not need the guidance of the church or God to be moral people. The Catechism states that "parents must," without exception regard their "children as the children of God." How can one refuse to give their child the best chance to be a moral person?

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Have we paid a price? The leading cause of death in the African American community over the past thirty years is abortion. Hispanics have replaced African Americans as the largest minority group in the US. Our young men need God. This is evident in courtrooms throughout the US. I make an effort to personally speak to young and old people and try to give direction. I do not teach God, but His principals guide me. I understand that they need to hear what God is saying to me and what keeps me on task.

I believe that the Spirit must guide the judgment of Judges. A Judge must consider the laws of the state and the morality of the people that it governs. Without this understanding the courts are only half effective. Punishment is only one key to attempting to improve society and the courts now understand that they too have this obligation. I find that my faith has gained me an advantage in not only understanding people, but also what steps must be taken in order for the rehabilitation to start.

How can parents aid their children?

• They first must accept the privilege of being a parent. (CCC 2222)
• They must be the originals guiding force in their children lives. (Ephesians 6:4)
• Discipline must come with an equal amount of love. (CCC 2223)
• They must be willing to sacrifice their wants for the guidance of their children. (CCC 2228)
• They must love as God loved. (1 Corinthians 13:3-10)

Will this solve the problems in our community? I must answer YES. This has been proven time and time again, that when people live for something bigger than themselves they are humbled. The change starts when more of us accept responsibility for others, especially for those that we create. If we do not accept responsibility for guiding our children, the cycle of selfishness will continue to show up generation after generations
(1 King 15:3).

Our numbers are improving in the African American community as there are more Blacks going to colleges and universities than at any other time in our nation's history. We are making gains, but we must invite God into our lives and those whom we have influence over, our children. God transforms the heart and allow amazing things to happen (Matthew 19:26).

To parents I say that it is not easy, but the rewards are great. Parents need to educate themselves on love and go over board on loving their children. "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away" (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Too many African Americans lives are lost because our failure to take responsibility. Christians must be willing to make a difference in the lives of some one young, and if each Christian can mentor one life to be responsible we can make a huge difference in the lives of many in the US (Matthew 28:19).

I feel that we who hold public office have a responsibility to others. I know that we as parents have a responsibility to our youth. These things must be done with a caring and loving heart. Selfish parents who are looking to make themselves happy and start new lives with new families are leaving behind too many children, and our society is now seeing the impact of a life without God (John 13:17).

We as African American Christians have God and he has brought us through many struggles. It is time for us as individuals to start reaching out and aiding those who are close to us. We can empower others to do well but sometimes life calls for the heart of a
"certain Samaritan" (Luke10:30-37).

I have been blessed by the Lord to be a Judge. He guides me and I keep him close in my rulings from the bench. He is my creator who gives each man "certain unalienable rights" (United States Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776).

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

May God Bless you all,

Timothy Green
Municipal Court Judge, Big Spring, Texas

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