{"id":1306,"date":"2011-08-24T15:56:04","date_gmt":"2011-08-24T19:56:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/jazztheologian\/?p=1306"},"modified":"2011-08-24T17:32:37","modified_gmt":"2011-08-24T21:32:37","slug":"one-name-two-fates-p2-a-tale-of-two-michaels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/jazztheologian\/2011\/08\/one-name-two-fates-p2-a-tale-of-two-michaels.html","title":{"rendered":"One Name, Two Fates (P2)–A Tale of Two Michaels"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a previous post I wrote about, The Other Wes Moore<\/a>,\u00a0the story of two men with the same name and similar backgrounds yet vastly different destinies.<\/p>\n

Recently, the Rev. Leon Kelly stopped by The Sankofa Institute <\/a>for a conversation. \u00a0He spoke us about A Tale of Two Michaels: \u00a0Michael Hancock and Michael Asberry.<\/p>\n

Recently The Denver Post wrote:<\/p>\n

Michael Hancock and Michael Asberry were born in the same year and grew up in the same northeast Denver neighborhood. \u00a0They knew each other. \u00a0Were friends. \u00a0Lived through similar hard times. \u00a0Both were natural-born leaders. \u00a0Hancock ran for student council, led a nonprofit, became a citycouncilman, and…became mayor of Denver.<\/p>\n

Michael Asberry formed the city’s most violent criminal gang, Denver’s version of the Crips, in the 1980s. \u00a0Known as “Cyco” on the streets, Asberry was in and out of prison through his adult life and was trying to put his life in order in 2008 when he was shot and killed in front of an Aurora apartment.”<\/p>\n

(Read the complete Denver Post Story here<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As you watch Michael Hancock’s campaign video (below), “Never Gave up” and consider the very different outcome of Michael Asberry’s life–again, “What made the difference?” \u00a0Is it the person? \u00a0Is it thee environment? \u00a0God?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n