Lil Johnnie is not just a character in a book, nor is this simply a black story. This type of indiviual, class and mind-set you can find all over the nation. We are in extremly trying times and I believe the church, educator’s and youth leaders need to re-think the way we are affecting this genereation. Even the most gifted, intelligent, and spiritually rooted youth are being distracted by sex, blunts, gold-teeth, wanting to shine, money and the many negative images of this world.
A problem I find is, that many issues and struggles that youth have, the schools, church, pastors and leaders do not address. I believe that it is our responsibility to shed light in the midst of the money, sex, murder, gang affliation, drug dealing and many of the questions, concerns, struggles and misconceptions that our youth are faced with, but not talked about. This book addresses these conflicts and issues and helps people see the wisdom within.
The integrity of the book comes from the integrity of the author. The storyline is a very real experience because it reflects on the humanity of people who live in these types of communities and cities. Lil Johnnie reflects a certain amount of disappointment of what enviornment, bad choices and not understanding his destiny has produced. One of the catastropic results of our community and this nation has been the distribution and sales of cocaine and heroin. This destructive evil has been one of the greatest influences among inner city youth and our community.
