Johnson’s Death Brings Outpour of Love and Appreciation
Ron Bailey, Publisher
September 6, 2007 – After attending the Christian wake (there was a subsequent Muslim version immediately afterward) of Airrion Kenneth Ali Johnson, a 16 year old killed last weekend by gunplay, today, surprisingly the words of rap’s Wu Tang Clan seemed incredibly appropriate. No, it was none of their screeds glamorizing violence, hustling, irresponsible relationships/sex, or conspicuous consumption that came to mind, but the refrain “It’s always the good ones that have to die” which seemed to crystallize Johnson’s untimely death. Based upon the support in death his life received, Ali was a good one.
Johnson, who attended and both hooped and ran cross country for Anacostia High School (Washington, DC) last year, was one of the reasons Dwight Redd and Andre Wilson started the AAU/travel hoop team, Squash All Beef close to five years ago: The idea of keeping kids off the street and involved in positive activity during the summer months was a necessity, as they knew the negativity that presents itself to idle young people.
Ali (left) with Redd during Southern Invitational (travel team) Tournament action, this year.
Ali was distinctly not the type of young person to start a ruckus – a point reiterated by virtually all the speakers at Northwest Washington’s New Bethel Baptist Church - but the violence the has engulfed many cities and towns still found him. Adding to that cruel irony, which seemingly only should be found in tragic cinema, is the fact New Bethel, a location chosen because of Johnson’s longtime involvement in it, is directly next to the apartment complex in which he was gunned down.
Always irrepressible, this was not lost on Redd, who plans to keep working with young people, and will use Johnson’s story to motivate young people in perusing a positive path. “He was definitely a different young man. He was well liked” noted Redd, who had assumed a fatherly role with Ali, sometime after the youngster’s father passed in 1997. “And it happened to a kid like this; a good kid that never got in trouble. If it happened to him, it can happen to anyone”.
That message will be reinforced to Squash All Beef players by Wilson, who stated “I’ve been telling Dwight we have to use this to teach”, event though “it’s a terrible lesson”.
If his death will be motivational, his life should be even more so, as at all steps Johnson helped people more than he was aided by them. Classmates from Anacostia, family members and teammates testified that his signifying jokes (also known as ‘joning’) were legendary and lifted many a spirit, as was the caring way and selfless attitude he exhibited.
Ali's mother, Jamillah Norville (white), leaves the ceremony.
One such person that will greatly miss Ali and directly benefited from his kindness was Thomas Robinson, a long time Squash All Beef teammate. “It’s was wrong” said Robinson in a sad and confused manner of Johnson’s death. “I’ve known Ali for a long time. He would help me when Coach Redd would be hard on us, to get us tougher mentally”.
Robinson went on to share he plans, in his own way, to commemorate his slain friend by proudly pledging “I’m going to wear his number (#1) this year”, for his new school, Riverdale Baptist (MD).
He will not be alone, as many of those paying their respects will likely engage in their own commemorative actions. For readers who choose to do so monetarily, the family has directed all such proceeds be directed to the team that was in part, built for him, Squash All Beef:
Squash All Beef
3811 25th Avenue
Temple Hills, MD 20748
Though Ali was put to rest at Washington National Cemetery (Suitland, MD) in a Muslim ceremony, his spirit still lives on.
It’s up to us to continue his way of living, his ‘steelo’. Let’s step up and prove his loss was not in vain.
Rest in peace Ali Johnson. You will be missed.
It's always the good ones that have to die.