Once upon a time not so long ago, going out with friends was fun and worry free. People would go out to nightclubs and just dance, talk and relax. Once in a while there might have been a disagreement that ended with people taking the party outside and dancing with their fists. The end result might be a black eye or a bloody nose but the participants would leave the scene in a vehicle not a body bag.

The times are changing and violence is being brought to the forefront. Parents have always encouraged their children to stay out of the clubs and into the churches and classrooms. I have always enjoyed going to clubs and just chilling out with my friends but recently I have been forced to think carefully about stepping out or staying in.

Recently, Christopher Harmon, a student at North Carolina A & T State University was killed at Club Enigma, located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Harmon was killed because he was trying to help a friend get home safely. Harmon's friend got into a disagreement with another man and shots were fired. Harmon's life was instantly stolen. The ironic twist in this story is Harmon was murdered while he was trying to promote nonviolence. Put yourself in his family's shoes for a moment. Imagine sending your child off to college and then receiving a call with this terrible news.

I must also write about the E2 nightclub located in Chicago. Close your eyes and picture a dark nightclub with hundreds of people in it. Everyone is dancing, talking, and having a good time when suddenly a fight breaks out and mace and pepper spray pollute the air. Everyone begins screaming and running for their lives. The end result of this nightmare is that 21 people end up dead and 57 end up injured. According to America Online news as many as 500 were reported to be in the nightclub at the time of the incident. Chicago fire officials stated that the club was operating in violation of a court order meant to close it down.

These are just two prominent examples of senseless violence. There are many more that have happened and many more that will happen. Why don't we work to put an end to these negative situations? Why don't we begin to really watch each other's backs? It is sad not to be able to go out and just have fun. My desire is to go back to a simpler time where I did not have to worry about being killed or seriously hurt just because I want to go out for a night on the town.

spottv