Convellus Parker stood before a group of young adults in one of Durham's most dangerous neighborhoods explaining why he was the right guy to help stop the violence. "These are the people I grew up with. These are my little friends. Them ...See moreConvellus Parker stood before a group of young adults in one of Durham's most dangerous neighborhoods explaining why he was the right guy to help stop the violence. "These are the people I grew up with. These are my little friends. Them seeing me out here not selling drugs no more. Not out promoting negativity, shooting people," said Parker, 35. Parker is one three "violence interrupters" on Bull City United's seven-member team. Since November the team has been trying to negotiate peace among groups whose conflicts have left death, grieving families and shaken neighborhoods in their wake. "We all at one time or another have contributed to the destruction and have contributed to violence in the streets of Durham," Parkersaid. "And while we are reforming and changing our lives, and doing things different in our lives, we want to share that with our brothers and sisters and other people in our communities and teach them that there is a different way." Written by
Michael Cable
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