My wish is that you somehow understand that we all have a little boy inside that has to come out. It took me several years to get used to the idea that I would be greeted by others with the words, "Good morning, sir." What should have been accepted as an acknowledgment of respect seemed odd to me because I wanted to maintain that ability to be a little boy all of my life. A lot of us fall short and fight against the respect of growing up.

Hi, my name is Mr. Eddie W. Engram Jr., and I am not a little boy anymore. Some people get stuck in the habit of doing things as a young boy or girl would. Everyone wants long nappy hair (dreads) to make-believe they are hip and part of a young society.

We buy clothing with holes in them, color our hair with purple and pink colors, or wear our pants down below our hips to show our undergarments. We're trying to forget that life goes on, and we have to play our role, whatever that may be. The challenge should be to break away from that immature nature and become a responsible member of this society. Then we can make a difference. That little boy will grow up to be a man.