The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League by Jeff Hobbs

Robert Peace was a gifted and brilliant young man who attended Yale University but ultimately struggled and was unable to obtain a degree before his untimely death. His story, written by Jeff Hobbs, provides an in-depth look into the injustices and difficulties faced by young African American men who try to rise above the systemic poverty which often engulfs their existence. Robert's story is particularly tragic because it provides insight into the close proximity of success and despair while simultaneously spotlighting the strength and resilience of an incredible individual.

Robert Peace was born in 1980 and grew up in a rough section of Newark, NJ. His mother, Jackie, worked as a psychiatric technician and raised Robert and his three siblings on her own. At a very young age, Robert displayed an immense intellect, reading material and playing instruments that were wrong for his age. His parents and teachers knew he was different and encouraged him to cultivate his talents. Even with the support of his family, Peace struggled to succeed in the rough public school systems of Newark.

At the age of 15, Peace was given the opportunity to attend St. Benedict's, a prestigious private school located just outside of Newark. The school provided an atmosphere for Robert to excel, acing his classes and becoming a top student. When it came time for college, Robert accepted a full scholarship to Yale University, a school on the complete opposite side of the country from New Jersey.

At Yale, Robert struggled with assimilating and integrating his old identity with the new roles he needed to take on as a college student. His struggle to find a sense of purpose was further exacerbated by the struggles that he had to adapt to, particularly the drug addiction he succumbed to. Despite his drug abuse, Peace managed to complete his undergraduate degree with honors, including a Fulbright Scholarship.

Despite his success at Yale, Robert was unable to obtain a degree in physics and engineering, which he had initially set out to do. Robert instead turned to teaching and moved back to Newark, where he tried to provide support to the community in whatever way he could. Unfortunately, this proved to be his ultimate demise, as he was tragically murdered in 2011, at the age of 30.

The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace is an incredibly impactful read that highlights the strength and courage of one young man trying to make his way in the world. Robert Peace was someone who was able to soar above the expectations of his community and was on the path to success at Yale. However, ultimately, due to the struggles of his upbringing, Peace was unable to break free from the poverty and violence of his everyday life. The book paints an incredible portrait of injustice and the battle that many people still face, not just in the U.S., but around the world.

The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace is a must read for anyone who is looking to obtain a better understanding of the systemic issues that have plagued our world for years. It provides an up-close and personal look into the life of an individual who was able to defy the odds, even in death. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of truly supporting those in need and the impact that we can all have on others when we come together.