Derrion Albert, Honor Student

The revolting cesspool that is Chicago has produced yet another shameful chapter in its disreputable history. Sixteen-year old high school Honor Student Derrion Albert lost his life last week when he intervened in a violent street fight between rival groups.

He was brutally kicked and beaten to death with a wooden board by other teenagers, his peers. Four were arrested. Several of the mothers of the boys involved in the murderous brawl expressed sorrow and remorse at the loss while one mother attempted to make an excuse for her son's involvement. Of what looked like dozens of people at the scene of Derrion's death, one captured a permanent record of the brutality, later (irresponsibly in my opinion) broadcast on many television stations and is now posted on YouTube. 

I don't care much to learn about the boys that killed Derrion Albert but I do want to know more about Derrion who likely faced many of the same choices that his killers did but chose a decidedly different path. The Chicigo Tribune reported on Saturday:

The honor roll student known for his love of computers became the third Chicago teenager killed this month. At least seven more have been shot.

I hate that a line describing a tiny aspect of Derrion's short life is tainted by the cold reality that his death is not an isolated incident.  I pray that his short-lived existence might serve as an example of  what is possible. Derrion was one of the few in the crowd that day who chose to do the right thing, while the vast majority of the others present chose to do the wrong thing. 

UPDATE: A Memorial Fund has been set up to help Derrion's family pay for the expenses of his funeral.

http://www.thenewlicious.com/2009/09/derrion-albert-fund.html