The World

By: AJ

Hello, World. Me, well I’m hanging in there, taking it day by day. I’m writing you to really vent to you and to get a few things off my chest. I was just thinking about my life, my past, my future, and my prospects on different worldly views. And I want to share a few things with you about it. And I want your opinion on a few things. Hear me out. First off, my name is A. Johnson. I’m 23. I’ll be 24 in a few days. I was raised in the struggle of Southeast Washington, DC. I’ve made some mistakes in my life that I really regret, but what’s done is done, and I can’t take them back. And it seems that that’s the only thing people see when they hear of me or my name is mentioned.

I just want people to know that I’m better than the worst thing I’ve done, and to not judge a person by his mistakes, judge him by his current actions that you’ve witnessed with your eyes and ears. I WAS a product of my environment. Which isn’t an excuse for my actions, but it plays a major part of it. And let me tell you that I take FULL responsibility for my actions. What people who didn’t grow up like I did don’t realize is that I didn’t have any guidance. No male figure in my life to encourage me to do the right thing. So my role models were the hustlers, the thieves, and so on. So I thought that was the right thing to do. So now that I’ve grown to be able to think on my own, I know it’s the wrong thing. And for the kids who is going through the same thing that I went through, I’m here to let you know as a living example that everything that is glitter isn’t gold, and you don’t have to sell drugs or rob people to make a living (real talk).

Because why take the chance of not just going to prison but being shot over money when you can get a job and not have to look over your back constantly for people on a come up. And I know anybody could get robbed, but you’ll have a higher probability. Why risk getting a record when you could do ANYTHING without one? Whereas people who have a record are very limited. So think about your future and don’t let your head be your downfall. Because you don’t understand how I wish I would turn back the hands of time. Try to get into all the afterschool programs as possible so you can be out of temptation’s way. And plan for college–you can NEVER have enough education, so stay in school.

And for the employers who interview people, know that there are people who can change and want to better themselves with what’s right. So give a person a chance, please. If on the application someone told you that he or she was a felon, at least he or she was being honest, which is a stepping stone for change. How about giving someone with a record a probation period on the job or something instead?

And for the uppity people, don’t think every person with dreads walking close to you in a Walmart parking lot is going to mug you. Do you ever think maybe they just wanna shop too? We as human beings have to change our views on a lot of things. Let’s stop the hating and the discrimination. Stop being racist because as a Muslim, I believe that we as humans are one race altogether and not by different colors. Let’s try to be equal and join together. Let’s form some unity among ourselves. With that said, I hope and wish y’all the best of life. Enjoy, Peace and Love.

Sincerely,
A. J.

P.S. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Do it by the words on the inside