<p>"A.J. McLittle of Detroit made it back to college for his sophomore year.</p>
<p>He is living in a single room at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.</p>
<p>He’s hoping to earn good grades. Make a good impression.</p>
<p>He’s hoping to be different — not a grim statistic from a city full of them.</p>
<p>McLittle comes from a place where more than 50% of the population is functionally illiterate and where only six of every 10 public school students graduate from high school.</p>
<p>His father and grandfather are ex-cons. His best friend is in prison. The guy he used to work with at the liquor store is dead — killed, McLittle heard, over an argument about another guy’s girl.</p>
<p>“You grow up around caution tape,” he said.</p>
<p>This is A.J.’s story.</p>
<p>It is a story about growing up in Detroit. It’s about moving away from home. It’s about world-weary desperation and youthful exuberance. This is a story about trying to escape the past because you want more for yourself than the adults who raised you.</p>
<p>More than anything, this is a story about a young man on the verge of the rest of his life."</p>
<p>Even though I don’t know him, I am very proud of him and I really hope this young man continues on his path to freedom. </p>
<p>This article also makes me think of all of the kids growing up in privileged environments who do nothing. I guess one can’t appreciate something better if they have always had it. The young man in the article is twice the man as many of our privileged youth.</p>
<p>I just finished reading that article about an hour ago! </p>
<p>It’s really important to note that the program this young man is part of is geared toward students who have the potential to succeed but not the background to do it without help. In other words, the kids aren’t brought in & left to fend for themselves. This is critical to success in college!!!</p>
<p>I am proud of AJ, but more importantly … I commend EMU for understanding that providing college access is more than just admitting students. If students like AJ are going to get their degrees, they need the extra help this program gives. Kudos all around.</p>
<p>I read it this morning and loved it. I loved how the neighborhood rallied around him when he graduated. I love how he was drawn to poetry. And I love how he wants to “restart” his name with a son of his own - some day.</p>