Editor, Commonwealth:
When I came to Greenwood, I came as a visitor. I have been here for 21 years. So, as of today, I’m not a visitor anymore because Greenwood is my home, too. There are great people here, and they are the reason I do so well here.
When I came here I was 21 years old, and now I’m about to be 42, and I love it here. I have witnessed many of this city’s accomplishments and successes. But also I have seen a lot of sadness here as well. I’m tired of seeing people getting hurt or even killed over gun violence. We in this community need to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. I hear people say in this city that we don’t need a savior, but I hear people crying for one every day, and that is sad.
There are some bad people as well, but in my world, I see more and more good people in Greenwood every day. The price for a great community is always high, but it’s a price I will willing to pay. Let us all work together with our police officers, city leaders and government officials to better our communities. The government officials can’t make our community better by themselves. So it is up to us as a whole to help get a better idea about adding more jobs here, better recreational centers, and better ways to teach our children right from wrong. Always remember that it takes a village to make a community better.
Let’s work together on how we can get more awareness about mental health and drug abuse. Anything is possible if we have faith in God, ourselves and our support team. It takes a team to make everything work. Let’s teach our young generation about choices and how it affects the ones you love and care about.
I wish that people can see Greenwood the way I see this wonderful city. Yes, we do have problems here, but I believe that if we all come together in one accord, we can make this city better.
I would like to see more neighborhood meetings and neighborhood block parties so we can see that we are all family here in Greenwood. One day I, too, will have a family here.
Raymon Johnson
Greenwood
