A Somerville High Senior speaks on his experience with gang violence

(Editor’s note: Terrell Walton told his story at Saturday’s (April 7, 2007) Youth Peace Conference from a wheel chair.  He let his classmates know the reality of gang life and was greeted with a standing ovation at the end of his speech. Here is his story in his own words.)

Hello, my name is Terrell Walton.  I’m a senior at Somerville High School.   Four years   ago, when I was living in Dorchester, the kids I hung out with had problems with people from other neighborhoods.  There was a lot of violence going back and forth that led to a guy from a rival neighborhood being killed.  Because I was a known person from my area I was shot in retaliation.

Before that, I thought being known was a good thing.  I had a reputation as a hot head that you would not want to mess with.  People respected me and looked up to me.  Like most teenage kids I thought I couldn’t be touched.  I thought that nothing could hurt me.  Even the day that I got shot, I still felt that I was invincible.  I chose not to run.  I still believed in my mind that nothing was going to hurt me.  I knew the kids were coming back to see me and I could have chosen to stay in the house. 

But I chose to stay outside, thinking there was a chance the kids weren’t coming back.  But they did come back and shot me five times in front of my family at a family event.  Before that day, I was not afraid of anyone and I was not afraid to die.  But what I did not know is that there is something in between.

I guess I had to learn this lesson for myself, the hard way.  After I was shot, I was in the hospital for two years.  During that time I lost four friends to shootings.  I have seen what the streets can do, and what it has shown me is that no one is invincible.  You do some things and they put you on a path you do not want to be on.   The consequences are so much greater than you can imagine.  We need to stop living in a way that leads to so much suffering and loss.

I decided that after my accident it was time for me to make some positive changes in my life.  Going back to school was one of those changes.  Although it is not easy to get up everyday and go, I do my best to make it here.  I have actually never done as well in school as I am doing now.  I have learned that my education is the key to my future, and even though I am in a wheelchair there are lots of opportunities for me to succeed.  After all I have been through I am hopeful about the future.  And I’m dedicated to making the most of the life I have been given.

I finally got it, but I had to lose my ability to move to learn it.  I urge you to learn a lesson from my experience.  You are not invincible and you only get one chance.  Use it wisely.

Thank you.

Comments

[Ward 3 Voter]

Dear Mr. Terrell Walton,
Just a question why did you come to Somerville? do you still live in Dorchester.
Ward 3 Voter

[Is]

Perhaps he plays football?

[Kate]

Terrell - I admire your getting out and trying to make a life for yourself, after such a tragic life-altering incident. It's admirable, also, that you are making your story public. Let us hope that hearing about your personal experiences will discourage teens at risk from choosing a path that leads to violence -- and encourage them to choose the path that will lead them to productive lives. I wish you well.

[SULLIVANJIMMY]

Great story, we all have a part to play in helping deter gangs and gang violence in our communities.

[kid gloves]

I decided that after my accident

what accident

you got shot by someone.

[dopeness]

hey terrell walton. i am currently a somerville high school student & i have seen you around but wondered why you were in a wheelchair. i am sorry to actually hear what have happened to you & now i know & i feel so bad for you. i hope that you succeed in life and just go on, but i know its hard. just stay safe. keep head up. byee.

[WJK]

Terrell,
As Kate said,"...to discourage teens from choosing a path that leads to violence."
I grew up in Dorchester, before the influx of minorities swarmed the area. The good, wholesome few of the minority groups, such as yourself, need to ban together, and with the full cooperation of all law enforcement agencies, need to initiate plans to eradicate the constant complacency of others who seem to wallow in an ocean of delight in perpetrating the "Silence Code" and are at infinite peace with themselves living off food stamps, welfare, and other numerous federal programs, which only increases the groups' lack of self-respect, self-dignity, and respect for others, which is the major cause of all the groups' tendency toward violence.
You are to be commended for returning to school, despite your personal problems and hardships. Education is the one avenue that will lead you to your goal of success.
WJK