Bermudian Honoured by Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Bermudian Motivational Speaker, Dennis Rahiim Watson, Chairman of the National Youth and Gang Violence Task-force was honored and praised recently by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his dedication and commitment for saving young black males from gun violence and gang warfare.
During a reception in Manhattan hosted by the Coalition for Concerned Black Mothers and Fathers, Mr. Watson was called a hero and singled out for recognition as a result of his Black on Black Love/Stop the Violence Campaign that visits churches, community centers, gang hangouts, high schools, correctional facilities, colleges and universities throughout New York and the USA.
Dennis Rahiim Watson in a fiery speech praised his mother Mrs Eula Watson Stewart,and his grandmothers Mrs Florence Daniels and Mrs Margaret Outerbridge Watson for constantly reminding him “If you make your bed hard, you lay in it” and that “Money dont grow on trees” and that “It is best to kill people with kindness” and more.
During an emotional community event, tears flowed as Mr. Watson reminded community leaders that “the leading cause of death among young black males is homicide”. And additionally, he stated that guns, drugs and despair is a signal that home grown terrorism is on its way unless we come together as a family and as a community to address the causes and to put an end to the “violence of angry, young, fatherless black males.”
In a written tribute, Michael Bloomberg stated:
It is a great pleasure to join the Coalition of Concerned Black Mothers and Fathers to honor Dennis Rahiim Watson. Our administration has worked hard to enhance public safety–and as a result of our efforts, crime has fallen by nearly 40% in the last eight years, down to historic lows. But we know we must remain vigilant, as violence continues to tear apart families and cut short far too many lives.
That’s why we’re delighted to help honor Mr. Watson as the Chairman of the National Youth and Gang Violence Task-force and a Motivational Speaker who has inspired countless young people to steer clear of violence, Mr. Watson has worked tirelessly to prevent youth violence in our City and beyond.” Mayor Michael Bloomberg continues by stating, Dr. Martin Luther King once said: “returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars…Hate can not drive out hate:only love can do that.”
On behalf of the City of New York, I applaud Mr. Watson and everyone involved with the Coalition of Concerned Black Mothers and Fathers. Your efforts will go a long way towards ensuring a safer, more harmonious future for us all, and I commend you for your dedication to reducing violence in your communities. My best wishes for continued success.
Additionally, Dennis Rahiim Watson was presented with many citations and awards among them a Citation of Honor from the President of the Borough of Queens, Helen M. Marshall, which stated:
In grateful recognition of Dennis Rahiim Watson for his commitment to youth in urban communities by teaching them values that they can use to lead productive lives.Cutting through the misinformation being perpetrated from the streets, he explained the bedrock principles of self-respect, personal responsibility self-control, pride in appearance, respect for life and property and the necessity to honor our elders. Many lives have been changed and saved because of the work he does dealing with our young people.
The letter from Mayor Bloomberg is below, click to enlarge:
We need more people like Mr. Watson. He’s needs to come back home to do some speeches also. Cities in the US have declared a Dennis Watson day. How many Bermudians even know who about this great man?
Respec’