Remembering Dannie: All City Football Star Gunned Down

It's not everyday you see Legendary Stevie Wonder singing at a high school student's funeral. Or the famed Pete Carroll, Head Coach of the University of Southern California, give words of encouragement to the family. But Dannie Farber wasn't your typical High School Student. Hundreds turned out yesterday to remember the outgoing football star that would have graduated June 19 from Narbonne High School.

Family, friends, classmates, and teachers alike praised Farber as a young man with a bright future. Danielle Farber said her son was a standout football player with a college scholarship.

"He was a good son, a good athlete, a good kid," Danielle said of her son. "I told him to keep up the good work and that I was proud of him."

Dannie Farber took his girlfriend out, Sunday, May 24, on a typical high school date at the Louisiana's Fried Chicken Restaurant in Compton, California. Shortly after their arrival at 9:40 p.m. a man wearing a black hood over a black baseball cap entered a side door. He walked up to the couple asking Farber where was he from? Farber stood up and asked the man what he was talking about but the gunmen shot him four times, fatally wounding him. He died in his girlfriend's arms.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman. Anyone with any information has been asked to call (323)890-5500.


The Black Eye Report:

The death of Dannie Farber is yet another sober reminder of that old African Proverb: "It takes a village!"
Gone are the days that we just set back and make sure that our children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren are taken care of. While the majority of us do an outstanding job in the raising of our kids there are some that could care less and leave their children to be taught by the streets. You may say, "Not my problem," but we are often given reminders like the Farber Tragedy reminding us of the consequences we face when we sit idly by.

The City of Compton has a history of gang violence, high crime and corrupt city officials. They are also ranked as one of the least educated cities in America. Only 48 percent of Compton's Citizens have graduated from high school and only an alarming 6 percent have graduated from college.

Farber's death, by some, will be seen as just another statistic drowned in what has become second nature for the neighborhoods of Compton. But for those of us who read his story and relate to his journey know the outcome of what could have been. It's not enough to see his story and say what a pity. Let his story light a fire in all of us to combat inner city crime, mentor young men and women, and demand answers from our city officials that have been placed in office to serve the people.

When we gather as a village and come together on one accord we can prevent a lot of the sensless violence taking place in our cities. From the church,to the footbal coach, to the Soccer Mom, and the volunteer Big Brothers and Big Sisters children's lives are being changed. But there are not enough volunteers helping in their communities. This begs the question, "What have you done for your community lately?"