By LaKeisha Crye Green
Jackson Advocate Guest Writer
In a city where many young people are terrorizing neighborhoods and communities, the students at Murrah High School are choosing a different path. This Jackson Public School began their winter holiday break with an amazing talent show including performances by an array of young artists. The auditorium was filled with students, educators, administrators, and parents eagerly awaiting to be entertained.
The Murrah High School Choir kicked off the show with a praise song entitled “Emmanuel,” which according to Matthew 1:23, means “God with us.” God was definitely in the room, along with ribbons in the sky, as one student beautifully sang among the showcase of talent. There were ribbons who stepped and strolled across the stage, and those who made the audience fall to their knees to testify, as Bruno Mars indicated in “Locked Out of Heaven.”
The young artists had the crowd continuously on their feet as they sang and danced to different genres of music including R&B, gospel, rap, and even country! A jazz ensemble of ribbons were also in mint condition as they performed “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes).” A drumline of ribbons marched to perfection, which symbolized the perfect atmosphere throughout the entire show! The audience also engaged in a fun round of musical chairs, which was a comforting reminder of the innocence that young people as a collective once had.
What was most fascinating about the show was that considering that Jackson, MS is a city wrought by youth violence, there were no instances of fighting or any other disruptions. It was a hallelujah good time and was attributable to “Emmanuel” and the ribbons in the sky.
It seems as if the young people at Murrah High School are acknowledging Christ and using their creative artistic abilities to curb any appetite for violence. Unquestionably, Jackson, MS desperately needs a healing from youth violence among other problems, and Christ may just be the solution. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, it states, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
As it relates to creativity, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has consistently argued that creative arts can serve as an outlet for expressing problem behaviors and can strengthen problem-solving skills among the youth. Considering that a combination of Christ and creativity is a viable recipe to eradicating youth violence, it seems only reasonable to reintroduce this solution into classrooms and communities. Considering this recipe, perhaps our youth wouldn’t have to fear being locked out of Heaven. Considering this recipe, perhaps our mothers and fathers wouldn’t have their hearts broken by their young sons and daughters. Considering this recipe, perhaps there would be more ribbons in the sky throughout the City of Jackson, MS; perhaps.
