By: cornelldews Category: editorials
WWJD (What Will Ja Do?) by Cornell Dews I know people who’ve prayed to GOD so long for their dreams to come to fruition that their knees are scabbed and voices hoarsed. I know people who’ve taken penitentiary chances to get “rich” risking, not only their freedom, but also their life. I also know that […]
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WWJD (What Will Ja Do?) by Cornell Dews
I know people who’ve prayed to GOD so long for their dreams to come to fruition that their knees are scabbed and voices hoarsed. I know people who’ve taken penitentiary chances to get “rich” risking, not only their freedom, but also their life. I also know that if I’d gotten ahold of beaucoup money in my early twenties, I wouldn’t be here typing an editorial about a young man who has acquired beaucoup money in his early 20s. One who may potentially be jeopardizing it all. Instead, I’d be a lot like said young man.
By now, the whole world knows the name Ja Morant. Unfortunately, the most pressing reason for his name to be on the tongue of everyone isn’t why it should be. Ja Morant is arguably the most electrifying young basketball player in the NBA. His game above the rim is as spectacular as watching a high flying deft-defying act at the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus. The way he levitates his body above taller defenders with menacing intentions to finish at the rim is literally breathtaking. And up until recently, that’s why the world was talking about Ja.
Then there was a video, Instagram live post released that showed an intoxicated, shirtless, gun toting black man, who happened to be Ja Morant in a club. Immediately, Ja Morant became the talk of national news, and the leading story on all sports channels. And I’m certain, it wasn’t for reasons that makes his parents proud.
Ja is not the first young, rich celebrity with the world at his beck and call who finds himself in a self-inflicted whirlwind of turmoil. However, the unwanted spotlight is presently being shined on him. And like most young people, Ja probably didn’t consider the ripple effects for his immature decision. Who knows what his actions may have potentially jeopardized in both his personal and professional life? Who knows how his ill advised decision to film himself totting a gun may cause collateral damage to those closest to him, such as family, friends and teammates? Honestly, who knows if he’ll ever be able to truly rebound from this incident and continue to pursue an All-Star caliber career? Or could this potentially be the beginning of the end of the Ja we thought we knew?
If I could speak directly to Ja, I’d tell him, “son, it appears that your dreams have come to fruition. It appears that you’ve been placed in a position to provide generational wealth to your family. People would literally die to be you. Some people despise the position that you and your family worked to put yourself in. Please don’t throw it away for only reasons you know. Please understand the position you’re in, your value to the people you love and seriously be intentional with how you decide to move going forward. And lastly, stay off social media flashing guns.” To which I’m sure he’d probably say, “old n#### shut up, you ain’t never had no money.” Because for some reason, our young people with beaucoup money don’t think they can learn anything from someone with only dreams of having beaucoup money. And therein lies a problem.
Nevertheless, I hope the young man can rebound from this. I hope he gets whatever help that he alluded to in his public apology that he needs. And I hope the world does not allow this incident, coupled with the recent headlines perpetuating his hood image to shape the narrative of his life. I’m certain the Ja that we’re presently speaking about is not the Ja that his parents intended for us to be speaking about. An action alone doesn’t depict who a person is. However, a continuation of the same actions is a confirmation of who you are. When Ja returns, what will he do?
Thedewsperspective 
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