Community :: Reducing violence from one ‘hood to the next - Richmond Confidential
In front of a diverse crowd of about 300, 19-year-old Phon Chanthanask made a declaration he was proud of.
“I am not a high school dropout. I am not a drug dealer or a gang banger. I am not the negative of Richmond, California,” said Chanthanasak at the Sixth Annual Youth Stopping Violence Summit on Saturday.
But Chanthanasak, a Khmu youth now a student at San Francisco State University, told the crowd inside the Richmond Auditorium he could have easily fallen into any of those descriptions. Mentors from Richmond’s South East Asian Young Leaders (SEAYL) program, which organizes the summit every year, are responsible for encouraging him not to, he said.
...for more of the story, see Richmond Confidential website at richmondconfidential.org/2009/10/22/reducing-violence-from-one-hood-to-the-next/
I remember that part of Phon's speech too. It was really REALLY powerful!
I remember his speech as one that touched all the souls in that audotorium,i am sure of it.He spoke of the REAL issues youth face today and meant every word that was spoken from his heart.He's an example of youth trying to change the community for the better.
Definatley! I hope he speaks more in the future.He inspires me everyday : ]]