Can you pass the Herman Taylor, III Test?

Do you take the time to listen to others?
Do you ask for help when you need it?
Do you express your love honestly?
Do you respect people just because they share the world with you?
Do you live passionately?
Do you generously give of yourself to the world?
Do you spread peace, joy and love wherever you go?

Herman Taylor could have answered "yes" to all these questions.

Herman Taylor is an example of how one young Black man can make a difference in his community, an example shown through the peaceful life he chose to lead . As word of Herman's murder bubbled through his communities, everyone had the same reaction, "Herman? How could this happen to him? He wasn't involved in anything negative." Their reactions were reasonable. Anyone who knew Herman understood that he was not an aspiring thug; he was NOT callous, angry, jealous, mean-spirited, confrontational, violent, egotistical or anti-social. Rather, Herman Taylor, III exuded love.

Herman courageously allowed adults to play an active role in shaping his life. He was protected by an extended community including his mother, father, older sisters, grandparents, aunts, cousins, and a team of teachers and coaches. Whenever Herman needed support from his mentors, he asked. When help was offered, he graciously accepted it. On his middle school application he wrote, "…to be honest, I am applying to this school because my family thinks this would be a great opportunity for me, especially my sister. I tend to listen to my family!"

At Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, his middle school, Herman gained the respect of his peers and teachers due to his warmth. One Roxbury Prep teacher said, "When Herman would ask me how my day was, he would stand still and waited to listen to my response." From Roxbury Prep, he matriculated to Belmont High through the School-Choice program. As a high school student, his respect for his family's wisdom and guidance did not waiver. He committed himself to countless additional hours to improving his grades so that his family could be proud of him. This fall he would have been a senior and was preparing to apply to college. His hope was to pursue a career in teaching or coaching because he "liked working with kids." His friend commented, "What I know about Herman is that he wanted to graduate. He was ready to work hard his senior year." His friends' parents remember Herman as a respectful young man, who would take the time to make eye contact with them and greet them with kindness. One mother remarked that Herman would take the bus home with her child just to make sure she did not have to travel alone. Her daughter was not his girlfriend; he accompanied her just to be a good friend. He had a "pure heart," another mother concluded.

Even in elementary school, Herman awed his teachers with his natural charm and joy. His fifth grade teacher from Winship Elementary School voluntarily wrote an additional note on his school record that read "Herman was an empathetic and encouraging friend" to all. Herman had friends everywhere including Winship School, Roxbury Prep, Belmont High, Balfour Academy, Paul Robeson Institute, South End Baseball League, Boston Neighborhood Basketball League and in his neighborhood. With all he generously shared his time, his genuine smile and his loyalty. When Herman said, "I got you," he meant he would do anything in his power to support you; he honored your existence. He touched the heart of every young person who had a chance to befriend him. Both young men and women shared how much they will miss Herman's smile and unique laugh. They described a young man who listened without judgment to their concerns and who was uninhibited in displaying affection towards his peers. As his girlfriend of three years remembered, Herman was there during her "best and worse days." In his presence, his friends found a modicum of solace. One friend of seven years acknowledged Herman as one of the "truly good people" in his life. Herman Taylor was effortlessly himself.

Herman was passionate about sports. He consistently invested energy and focus in developing his skill and technique on the basketball court. His friends will not forget the hours Herman spent playing 'ball with them. As many a young men, Herman LOVED to play basketball. His coach at Belmont High noted that he was known for ‘his beautiful hierarching 3-point shots.’ For his skill and sportsmanship, he was selected to join the varsity team during at the end of the basketball season. Yet, as passionate as he was about improving his play, Herman did not use basketball as an excuse to exclude others. One of his high school classmates remembered that, "no one would pick me, but [Herman] always made sure I was on his team. Everything he did, he always included me, he never left me out and that's what I remember most." His compassion for the game and other people landed him a job at Never Too Early Basketball Camps in Newton and Acton where he worked during the winter and spring break of his junior year.

As the death toll of young victims rises in Boston, it is easy for us to become desensitized. Those of us who are not directly affected by the violence have the option of turning off the television or radio and throwing away the newspaper at the end of the day. Those of us who are directly affected erect one more shrine in honor of a young victim, hold funeral services, and shed tears. Unfortunately, we have learned to return to our daily lives only slightly more apathetic and hopeless than before. We hope that the death of Herman Taylor reminds us of an important truth: the opposite of fear is love. Herman lived courageously. He was not afraid to show affection towards his friends. He was not afraid to ask his family and others for help when he needed. He was not afraid to be seen with the less popular kids. He was not afraid to live passionately. Although we have physically lost Herman, we hope to remember his life has taught us. Love. Give Love. Ask for Love. Be willing to receive love. Never be afraid to be gentle with each other. Live joyfully by loving courageously.

May Herman’s life inspire a shift in the way we choose to live our own lives so that we all eventually could pass the Herman Taylor test. May Herman Taylor, III’s gentle and joyful soul rest in peace.

Prepared by Debby Saintil, Herman’s Teacher and Mentor
At the request of the Coleman and Taylor Family