William Junior Appiah Tribute

One year ago on this day...

I came home from school, dropped my bag and went to go greet my mother. My mother immediate told me to go on the internet and search for a recent murder. As I was searching, she told me that my uncle had called and said that Junior was shot. I could not believe it. Earlier on, that same day at school, my friends were all talking about it but I didn't know who it was. I continued searching on the internet and I saw the name "William Junior Appiah". I said to my mom "It's true." There was a moment of silence. My brother (which his name is also Junior) has walked in the room and saw me in my mother in shock. My mom started crying while I was trying to process this information. Junior, Dead? My heart sunk to the bottom of my stomach. Junior, my cousin, who I haven't seen in about three years has died. The next day, while going to school, I broke down and cried on the bus. My friends were trying to comfort me. I decided to go to the school chaplain and ask her to pray for the Appiah family. As she announces this over the P.A., all my classmates couldn't believe it. They helped to cheer me up but it wasn't enough. Everyday after September 16, 2008, I always think about him and reminisce about the good times when we were younger. This terrible death triggered everyone on how teen violence is rapidly becoming the norm. Junior will always be in my heart. He also looks very much like my own brother Junior, which my mom has also picked up on. I just hoped that everyone learned their lesson, but a few months after, another family friend of mine, Kevin Boateng, also died. I really do hope that people in the Ghanaian community, and also in Toronto find a way to stop this madness. For both Junior Appiah and Kevin Boateng the killers have not been found. I just want to say that, i love you Junior and I hope you are watching down on us, protecting us from what killed you. But, be glad that you are now with the Almighty Father.

Rest in pefect peace; From your cousin,

Maame<3