I was wondering what kind of response my column -- Help Even For A Drug Dealer -- would get this morning, wondering if someone might step up and say, "Maybe I'll give him a chance." So far that hasn't happened.
This has, from an unnamed emailer: "The 16yr old criminal belongs in jail. Maybe 10-20 years of structured living (with possible education} could lead to a productive life. Don't waist your time on LOSERS!!''
With these types of young people, either we take our chances with them now -- before they become hardened -- or we take our chance later, after that hardening has taken place. And don't forget that we spend about twice as much to house a prisoner one year as we do educating a student in a public school.
UPDATE: Have another email to share, below
Mr. Bailey,
I have been a big fan of you and your column ever since you took over writing for that other fella (who’s name I can't recall. I also enjoyed his columns, too, though).
After reading today's article "Help even for a drug dealer", I was reminded of a story on Oprah that I saw just yesterday. She interviewed a successful black man who became a Rhodes Scholar at the age of 22. However, he started down a very different path. His story was interesting not only for how he turned his life around, but because he came in contact with a man by the exact same name as his, from the same home town, who is now in prison for life for murder. He wrote a book titled "The Other Wes Moore". I haven't read the book yet as it was just released yesterday, but when I read your column today, I thought of the similarities between Wes Moore and your young friend. You will hopefully be the turning point in that young man's life, and that's all it takes... someone to have faith in him and someone to give him a chance.
I wish that I could tell you I have a job to offer. I pray that someone out there will reach out and take a chance and hire him. Please keep us posted.
Thank you... for all that you do. Becky Sanders
