I live by the day only if I survive the last night, damn right, i ain't trying to fight
photo credit: John Daley

August was a fairly good month for the peace movement. One homicide is one too many, but on the reals....it could have been a lot worse. For sure, there were plenty of non-fatal shootings and stabbings. Hell, there was even a hit-and-run that claimed the life of a young brother I chilled with earlier this summer. He happened to be a classmate of several friends of mine. But the reality of what we had feared a hot summer would look like never materialized this August. And I am thankful for it. Thankful that M hasn't called me in the middle of the night with bad news. Thankful (somewhat) that B hasn't had a need to call me to help intervene with anything. Thankful that the two dudes accused of killing Miss Perry are in custody. Thankful that I have not seen a mother cry this month.

No signs of anger or fear cuz you the one in danger
Never share your plans with a stranger, word is born
-Mobb Deep, "Right Back At You"

But with the noticeable uptick in violence this past weekend, I cannot help but wonder if the same shT will resurface. Were heads just down to take a chill pill for August and extend the peace week we had going for a whole month, or is it a more logical, covert reason? Either way, here's to hoping September through December goes a little better this year than it did last year.