STOP the knife crime madness - Damilola's Dad
Source: Jenny Clover South London Press
THE FATHER of Damilola Taylor spoke movingly of his tragic loss as he visited a school in a bid to deter pupils from carrying knives.
Richard Taylor’s 10-year-old son Damilola was stabbed to death in a stairwell on the North Peckham Estate in November 2000.
Mr Taylor went to Oakwood School, Bexleyheath on May 18 to speak about his experiences and to encourage pupils to avoid getting caught up in youth violence.
He told the assembly: “I am the father of a young man who, 10 years ago, was stabbed to death. Today he’s resting in peace, but here we are 10 years on and we still have this problem in our communities.
“We don’t want to lose any of you: too much of that has happened already.”
He was speaking at the first of a series of events at schools, organised by the Damilola Taylor Trust (DTT) and the South London Press, as part of his role as a Government envoy for youth violence and knife crime.
Oakwood is an emotional behaviour school, and many of the 51 pupils have autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), meaning they find it difficult to control their tempers.
The school invited Mr Taylor to visit and speak to the kids because teachers have noticed some children getting involved in gangs.
Alex Rose, 20, who works as a mentor for the DTT spoke to the kids about how he decided something must change after five of his close friends were murdered.
He told the assembly: “When I was growing up it was a regular occurrence to hear someone had been bottled or robbed.
“Then we started hearing about people being stabbed. I saw someone get shot in the face.
“It became so regular I became numb to it and would hear about another stabbing and would say ‘Okay, shall we go and get some chips now?’
“I remember the day I decided to do something about it – I was walking away from my close friend Eugene Attram’s memorial service and I just thought, ‘I’ve got to do something’.
“So I decided to use what I’m good at.” Alex, a student at the London College of Communication in Elephant & Castle, set about using his artistic skills to design a logo and T-shirts urging people to put down their weapons, called Solve This Ongoing Problem (STOP).
He uses the money he makes from sales to put on workshops at youth centres and prisons around the country.He said: “Everyone here has got a talent, even those accused of antisocial behaviour, so I would urge you all to find it and believe in yourself.
“Because talent plus belief equals success.”
He said he had received death threats from gangs when he goes to deliver workshops in some areas because they resent the work he is doing.
Pupils asked questions about Damilola and how his death had affected Mr Taylor, and also about Mr Rose’s experiences growing up in South London.
He told the assembly: “What you don’t realise is a lot of gang members walk like they do, hunched over, because they are wearing a colostomy bag from where they have been stabbed in a fight.”
Comments
15/07/2009 at 1:58:17 PM
Oni Olurotimi kehindesays
its appalling that despite your ordeal, you still have come out to stand up against this datardly evil act called gangsterism. God bless you for your good spirit.
02/07/2009 at 1:22:56 PM
dimeji mosessays
Good work you're doing out there Mr. Taylor. The Lord is your strength. Keep the work going Mr. Rose.
29/06/2009 at 3:38:50 AM
Anderson Basseysays
Dear Mr.Taylor,take heart.I believe it's ur boy yesterday that,s made u do what u r doing now.God be with you.
17/06/2009 at 7:56:28 AM
oluwaseunsays
my condolence to the Taylors.
my heart goes out to you.
its well wt DAMILOLA.
15/06/2009 at 12:24:14 PM
Lala Teddysays
Its been some time now that the Taylors lost their dear boy, Damilola and it shows a lot of courage from Mr Taylor's family to convert the tragic event to some good use, preaching against violence which still pervades the streets of London.
12/06/2009 at 3:29:58 PM
Lord Austinesays
A story that touch the Heart. Our good Lord shall be with the family.
THE FATHER of Damilola Taylor spoke movingly of his tragic loss as he visited a school in a bid to deter pupils from carrying knives.
