RIP Jasmine Lynn

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/man-held-in-clark-130043.html

As an AUC alum, I know about the dangers that constantly surround students on a nightly basis. While there were shootings when I was there, including someone being shot point-blank in the head at the CAU barbershop, I don't recall any students losing their lives. It is a shame that it takes events like these to raise awareness to the struggles that AUC students (ESPECIALLY female students) face. It is hard enough to get a secondary education, but it surely adds another burden when you have to worry about your safety.

I think about how Jasmine's parents must feel. You sent your daughter to the #1 HBCU in the nation and you get a phone call at an ungodly hour from some police spokesperson telling you that your daughter has been killed by a gunshot. I can only imagine the out-of-body experience they must be feeling right now. This is something that wouldn't/couldn't sink in, until you see your daughter's body. This truly is a shame...

Note - I do recognize that young black people die senselessly everyday all across this country, but I do think this case is unique because this happened in what some call, the "mecca of black intellectualism", a place where a lot of us send our best and brightest. If we can't keep the few of us that even go on to attend college safe, doesn't that take away some of the power of those that call college an alternative to the streets?