Jay Simpson: Things are changing for the better around here

Apr. 29—I just want to say how proud I am of our city.

When I first started writing — I kid you not — every other column was about a shooting or a death. I can't lie, it was getting to me mentally and emotionally.

The reason I believe it was hitting me so hard is because most of the deaths hit close to home. I either knew the victim personally, or our families have known each other for years from living in the community.

I don't remember the last time I've had to write about a shooting or murder that's happened in the Black community.

There were times where I could feel the community losing faith in our youth based on the path they were heading down and the senseless behavior they were displaying. I can't be upset with them for that, because some of the youth were making the town an unsafe place for everyone, including people who aren't involved or had any idea of what's going on.

I never completely lost faith in them, but there were times I felt as if it was too late, and they were just in too deep. With prayer and patience, the narrative started to shift, and things have changed. Our youth are excelling as a whole.

There are still some a little tough around the edges, but as for the majority, we have some promising kids in our community.

I won't say names, but I know a kid who was deep in the streets from the age of 11 until he was about 16. He witnessed his best friend get murdered, and that was all of the reality check he needed. He didn't want to live that life or go down that road any longer, so he changed crowds and got his life together. He got around kids that were like-minded and held him accountable. Now he's in the top 2 percent in his class and headed to college. If God isn't good, then I don't know who is.

All we have to do is keep on loving these kids, and the sky is the limit. They are not perfect and will never be. Neither will us adults, so let's be a little more understanding and not so quick to judge a book by its cover.

I'm proud of Champaign, and we will continue to grow and get better together.