(WHAS11) - As part of the WHAS11 series Black and White in Kentuckiana, we are looking at one of the biggest problems plaguing the black community; homicide.
It's a topic that's been often discussed but the solution is still elusive.
Those in the community are offering ideas for resolve and they hope the community is listening.
He had it all; a bright future and a mother who supported him and a chance at going to the University of Kentucky.
He loved science; he liked the outdoors, was very independent and couldn't wait to get a job.
But his dreams were dashed when he was shot and killed in 2008, just days before he was scheduled to go to Lexington to start school.
Antonio Tharpe didn't grow up in the hood but the idea of hanging out in the projects and living a street life were too attractive to ignore. So he spent his days in places and with people who would only lead him to trouble.
His mother Teri said she strived to raise a young man who would go on to do bigger and better things.
“Our race, African Americans, they feel like all they got is to sell drugs you know they feel like there is no positive role models you know,” she says.
Antonio fits the stereotype of many of Louisville's homicide victims; young, black and male.
It seems so stereotypical but it’s still a reality, why?
You have to look at the totality of it all socio economic issues where these homicides are occurring, the type of activity these individuals are involved in a lot of various factors go into why this is occurring.
Lt. Barry Wilkerson with Louisville Metro Police Department’s homicide unit says they have seen a 20% decrease in black homicide victims and suspects from 2007 to 2008.
But they are still the vast majority.
Those who work closely with young people say the thrill of organized crime is held in higher regard than being a lawyer, doctor or even president.
Christopher 2X lived the street life, paid the price and is trying to teach others that it's not worth it. He says the lure of fast easy money is addictive.
“If there is a level of a solution to eradicate ourselves away from this lifestyle it’s probably a 50 year process, that's what I believe,” he says.
One young man just got out of boot camp. He doesn't want to go back to the corrections systems but doesn't have a plan to better his life. He explained to WHAS11 News reasons why some blacks feel street life and killing is the only life that can get them what they want.
“Somebody got to take care of their kids they gotta take, rob the bank get somebody that's getting more money they are then the next person is going to come along and do the same thing,” he says.
Teri Tharpe, who tried to do the right thing but couldn't even save her own son, she's now given up on saving others.
“To be truthful with you, I used to see kids on the corner and I used to be like, oh I wish I could help that child or that child but they killed my baby, I don't have that anymore,” she says.
And that's how the cycle continues.
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