In a world where we are expected to constantly evolve and transition into better people, this week post is very sad. This past week in Jacksonville, 18-year-old Xacia Burnem, Kadejah Williams, 22, and her son, 11-month-old Tedashii were shot and killed in a senseless crime. Not only did he take their lives, but the unborn live of Xacia Burnem's child. I could never imagine losing one, but two people in your family. I want to bring awareness to violence in relationships and when to walk away.

Too many times, we sit around and wait until it's too late. I knew this young lady; she was very intelligent and intellectual who had her head on straight. From the outside looking in, she had it all together, even a full paid scholarship to one of Florida's top universities where she planned on majoring in economics. But what everyone didn't know was her boyfriend was abusive physical, mentally, and emotionally. The first time I saw a bruise on her, she told me that she had gotten it from kickboxing. The next couple times after that, her explanations seemed to come out of a Disney fairytale. To make a long story short, she ended up almost losing her life because her abuser put fear in her and made her believe that if she spoke, no one would believe her.

Now just because men don't speak on abuse doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It can come in the same forms, but as men we are taught that such things don't occur in our lives, and that if we speak on a subject, it makes up weak. These fables are false and we need to educate the younger generation of all the options that are available at their disposal. We as people need to build up rather then tear each other down. It doesn't cost anything to smile nor does it cost anything to nice. You never know what your fellow neighbor is going through as not everyone wears their emotions on their shoulders. It's sad that as an society we are only concerned about ourselves and not mankind, and if doesn't benefit us then we turn a blind eye as if we had never seen it or knew what was going on next to us. How can we make American great when the people in it are full of hell?