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Growing up in Park Heights, I unfortunately have seen people get shot, encountered bodies, and everything else bad that too many Baltimoreans have to endure. However, it wasn't until I moved to my quiet street in Northeast Baltimore that I became the victim of a violent crime.
On the night of Sept 21st 2009 I was robbed at gun point by two young men as I walked Sir Charles. Until yesterday I had never spoken publicly about that incident and only spoke of it privately to a few. bit.ly/2Lrdkh4
The young men who robbed me were 16. At the time, I was extremely angry, but I have long since forgiven him. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit with Mr. Golphin and have a conversation about our issues. Yesterday I testified on his behalf that his sentence should he modified.
Over the past ten years, we have changed immensely. I know how much I have grown since that event – how different I was at 25 to who I am today at 35. Similarly, we cannot expect someone who committed a crime at 16 to be the same at 26.
This experience has taught me that we must take a serious look at how we treat youth offenders. While Mr. Golphin should have been and was held accountable for his actions, we must recognize how young people who commit crimes are different than adults who do the same.
Few understand the harsh reality of growing up in poverty in Baltimore. But for a strong family structure & opportunities given to me, I could have ended up in a similar place. Getting to know him is one thing that's made me passionate about providing opportunities to our youth.
Reconciling our issues is one of the best things I've done as a human being, man and elected official. It provided clarity, relief and a further sense of responsibility. I'm proud of his growth: receiving his diploma and mentoring other young men in the facility.
If I could turn back the clock, I'd change how he was held accountable in the first place. I can't change that but, we were successful in getting his sentence modified and I will do everything in my power to make sure he is successful upon his return to the community.
Hopefully our story will inspire others to reconcile, forgive and recommit to fighting for the humanity in all — even those who have harmed them.
