Too often we sit and talk about how we have to address the issues affecting the African American Black community. We sit around with theories and viable solutions both tested and unproven that we all think will make our community more prosperous.
And while we fight for justice, and stand for equality and elect Black leaders from the ground up, we neglect one essential point of fact that must be addressed. The Black community needs anger management.
This is true in way too many instances. In Chicago, in New Orleans, and yes, in Sacramento our anger is leading us all down harm’s way. When we do not implement anger management we react dangerously with intent to harm with vicious premeditated retaliation or in attempt to manipulate a situation until it escalates out of control.
We bemoan about police brutality and how we should confront the bad cops across the land and demand their badges on a silver platter. We have contempt that the sheer notion that a person like Donald Trump could become President of these here United States of America. While we are correct in all the above mentioned desires, we must also confront and show disdain for our very own inner-demons that are running amuck like the cosmocrats in scripture.
One of Sacramento’s great men of distinction was assassinated on Thanksgiving weekend in the nice neighborhood of Greenhaven. His name is Michael Dailey (known to the community at large as “Joe Black”). He is a man of purpose and of goodwill. A peaceful human who had a true endearment for making the Black community a community that would be admired by other communities not only in Sacramento but everywhere.
Michael is a father with three loving children, a newlywed and a man who dedicated himself to unity for all humanity. Over the years he and the illustrious Cornel West, a writer and professor with worldwide prestige had become best friends. They worked to help Black people understand how great thou art with books, with music and recorded manuscripts. Their mission is to replace violence with knowledge and to penetrate young minds so they would become the next generation of leaders and not a new generation of incarcerated Black folk.
Ironically, it was Michael Daily’s penchant to increase the peace that got him assassinated. According to reports he was trying to quell a family dispute at a Thanksgiving gathering that boiled over into the next day. It was reported that his very own nephew approached Michael and fired six shots into his chest.
A great man laid dead in a puddle of blood in the middle of the street while people panicked and paramedics attempted to revive him to no avail. Dead. Assassinated by his own flesh and blood.
Only days before his assassination Michael and I discussed this very issue over an impromptu lunch meeting. We talked about using music and leaders and a gathering at the Black Expo to solve some of the issues plaguing our angry young people. He had answers and we planned to make effective results with participation from all levels. This was just one of many plans of this gentle hard thinking giant.
Anger continues to flourish amongst Black people. I know that some community leaders are walking the streets right now and working hard behind the scenes to stop the violence among ourselves. The anger is taking over. We need anger management before more great men like Michael Dailey are victimized and our future lingers in doubt because we cannot control the most controllable sense we have in us. Anger.
Funeral services will be held at The Light Christian Church, located at 7257 E. Southgate Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95823 with the viewing on Wednesday, December 7th from 2 pm to 6 pm and funeral on Thursday, December 8th from 11 am to 1 pm all at the same location.
Commentary submitted by Rick Warren, Founder Sacramento Black Expo, publisher of Today’s Times Newspaper.
Donations are now being accepted for the funeral arrangements of Michael Dailey at: https://www.gofundme.com/michael-daileys-funeral-fund
To see other related news on Michael Dailey go to: http://fox40.com/2016/11/29/sacramento-music-producer-author-killed
