Terrell Fletcher at Saddleback College

In yesterday's OC Reg: Pastor, former NFL player speaks at Saddleback College:

Saddleback College recently presented a speech by pastor and former NFL player Terrell Fletcher honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fletcher was running back for the San Diego Chargers for eight years, and is a senior pastor at City of Hope International Church in San Diego. He spoke at Saddleback College on Jan. 24….

One student posed the question of whether the greatest threat to minority populations is minorities themselves. Fletcher responded, saying that some elements of black popular culture can be self-destructive and harm the community's image.

"We fill our communities with so much negativity about ourselves that it is very difficult to not believe it after a while," he said. "In one hand, we can say it's just music. On another hand, you can say it's very destructive."

Another man later responded, saying that negative themes in hip-hop are a reflection of disadvantages the artists experience. He asked Fletcher what black celebrities like him are doing to reach young children who know nothing but their community's underprivileged situation.

Fletcher responded, saying that many prominent blacks are giving generously to their communities, but that the media tends to focus only on negative images.

"We're not going to bring a whole bunch of cameras when you write a check for scholarships so that kids can go to school… but if you get caught on your third drugging offense, we're going to load you up," he said.

He added that the responsibility of raising children is on parents, not artists or entertainers….