This is a view of black-on-black crime as it pertain to the proliferation of gun violence and associated mayhem that permeates Black communities across the nation. Gang activity has never been higher. This essay focuses on what can be done to heighten awareness, and finding solutions to stem the tide (and ultimately eradicate the cancer) that plague our diaspora. Therein are incidents attributed to distinct situations in South Florida in recent years, with an opinionated view from the author. As you read this, I'm sure you can relate to the plethora of violence in African-American neighborhoods all across the nation.
If you’re reading this, know that another child, young adult or someone in the wrong place is being victim, or has been victimized by a shooting. Whether pre-meditated or as a result of drive-bys it’s a serious epidemic permeating our communities with no answers people are willing to discuss for fear of retaliatory measures. As a parent, educator and spiritually-discerned leader in my church and community, I’m no different from anybody else who may be concerned about the young folk of this generation and their fascination with guns. Gone are the days when the ‘village’ was prominent in making sure that there were strength in numbers and it took one to truly raise a child. Nowadays, I’m scratching my head trying to find out what went wrong and what is needed to turn the tables. If you’re like me, you too should be concerned and worried, and if you think that it has no bearing on you think again: whatever happens in any ethnic community ramifications and stigmas are often portrayed in a stereotypical fashion that tend to color the whole canvas with darker colors blacker and blue! If for no other reason than to band together and form coalitions, now is the time for us as a unified force to make a difference. How can you make a difference? By standing up, taking a stand and lending support to any grassroots effort to show that you care.
Recently, Koinonia Worship Center & Village in Pembroke Park, FL did that by hosting a venue entitled, ‘Enough is Enough’. How appropriate. Alas, there ARE a few that has taken this issue to heart. People like myself who plan to make a difference. But my eyes are wide open and my mind is quite active. Let me share this with you: I am walking up the main drag in my neighborhood and a stone’s throw from my front door here in Miami. It is a overcast day with rain threatening the horizon. Is this an omen relative to the concerns I have contributing to the subject of this correspondence? Nonetheless, it swirls the spirit and brings a pall to my fragile psyche right about now. Yet, just a few steps from my home, there are a few young boys no older than 17 manning the corner and appearing to be hawking something for sale. Street corner drug sales has been problematic for years and out of control. Conjecturally, Could it be drugs, and moreover, could any one of them if not all, packing a firearm? Your guess is as good as mine, but suffice it to say, an argument could be made that they shouldn’t be there to begin with. I’m struggling with emotions deep in my soul -- angst, disgust, displeasure, but certainly not sympathy. It’s my contention that our communities that have not address the issue of gun control, drug eradication and other measures to combat crime attributed to gang activity are suffering a prolonged illness and being held hostage to an inability to make streets safer.
As I close this piece, I have a passioned plea: if you are a parent and have a child that may be of age to carry a gun, please take control and allow parental fortitude to guide you in attempts to check your child; if you’re in the 16-25 age group, then you are statistically effected by this whole phenomena that’s targeting you generically...be instrumental in cajoling your peers to cease and desist; if you’re older than the latter, then you fall into a group just below midlife and should be mentoring or endeavoring to be role models; and like me, who can be considered a senior citizen I’m ranting and raving for SOMEONE if not all of you doing what needs to be done. What plan do you have to become involved? Will that plan compel you to move forward or step backward in a passive stance? The time is now and the future is in our hands! Are you with me?
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