October. The month I was sentenced to 10 years as a child. My first (and only) arrest.

By Dieter Cantu (Leading with Conviction™ 2020):

October. The month I was sentenced to 10 years as a child. My first (and only) arrest. A kid facing the weight of the system without understanding his rights.

My story is not unique. It’s a tragic reality faced by countless young people, especially Black and Brown youth, who are often pushed into a system that doesn’t recognize their humanity, let alone their potential. Every child deserves an opportunity to change, to grow, and to reclaim their future. We cannot allow the failures of the system to become the permanent story of our youth.

For Youth Justice Action Month, let this be a call to action.

For Youth Justice Action Month, let this be a call to action. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that children are treated with fairness, dignity, and compassion. We must be the ones who show up for them when the system fails. We must be the advocates they need when they’re too young to know how to advocate for themselves. We must do better, because justice for our youth is justice for all of us.

No child is born to be a statistic, and no child’s life should be written off due to a lack of resources, guidance, or opportunity. They are our future, and it is our duty to ensure that they have a future worth fighting for.

In October, we don’t just raise awareness. We raise our voices. We demand that the system gives our youth the second chance they deserve.

(Photos from Dieter Cantu, used by permission)