Some of us live in safer parts of the city. While anything can happen anywhere I don’t live in the environment where ten year olds get shot multiple times in a year or five year old girls are murdered. Akein Scott the suspect in this case is a known criminal, like so many known dangerous criminals in this community he was not in prison. Unless the evil ones are kept off the street kids like Ka’Nard don’t have a chance.

Mother’s day, a day to celebrate and appreciate all that those special women referred to as Mother. In New Orleans we have a special way of celebrating events called a second line. In this case the second lie was put on by the Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club Inc. Social and Pleasure clubs have a long history in New Orleans and are considered part of our culture here that we love to protect and defend. The big 7′s second line yesterday became a victim of what is becoming a new cultural activity, random shootings. Maybe not so random but there is no motive yet in the shooting into a crowd of second liners as they celebrated yesterday. Nineteen people are reported injured, no fatalities thank god. I differ with the police chief and his characterization that this is an unusual event in the city.

“Obviously, this is an unusual circumstance,” Serpas said. “We have second lines that occur in this city virtually every week at this time of the year.”

If called to I will research all of the shooting that occur at second lines, parades, Bourbon street, where shots are fired into crowds of celebrating New Orleanians and tourist. Again we hear the outcry, “this must stop” the mayor asking the people of the city to rally against crime. That’s what is always called for after these events, but nothing changes. I’m sure when they catch the shooters, if they catch the shooters, they will turn out to be young and probably are not unknown to the criminal justice system. I don’t have the answers, and I have thought and blogged about this problem for years. If we can’t stop it, we suffer through it. The only thing I want to know from one of these shooters is why.

Mother’s Day Uptown

Uptown the scene was peaceful as the Audubon Zoo had their Mother’s Day celebration at the zoo. This event has gained a lot of popularity over the years. I could hear Irma Thomas from my back yard as she performed at the event. Ironic that the people attending this event surrounded by Lions, Tigers, Bears and Alligators were safer than those in the seventh ward surrounded by human beings.

Mother’s day at home

Since my mother passed away a few years ago Mother’s day is always a reflective time for me. My mom was a very strong, kind and popular lady. I always find that out when I post a photo and comment about her on Facebook every Mother’s Day. She taught her children well, not only to be self sufficient in life but also to be free thinkers. To form our own opinions, to live our lives the way we wanted to and not be a lemming who follows a crowd. I miss her very much along with a lot of other people.

On a positive note thing are looking up, in the not too distant future my career may take a turn that leads to more job satisfaction. As far as personal relationships I can rekindle old close relationships I have had in the past and am probably capable of making new ones that matter.

GOd I hope nobody reads this. I’m laughing as I type that, I won’t use ‘LOL’ after all this is my blog not Facebook.