“People killing, people dying, children hurt, and you hear them crying. Can you practice what you preach, or would you turn the other cheek? Father, Father, Father, help us, send some guidance from above. Cuz people got me, got me questioning, ‘Where is the love’?”
These heartfelt lyrics from the single “Where is the Love?” by the Black Eyed Peas came to my mind when I heard about the tragedy which befell Chicago during the 4th of July weekend.
84 hours. 84 shootings. One shooting per hour occurred in the streets of Southside, West side, and even, North side Chicago during the 4th of July weekend. The shocking news, according to USAToday.com, is that the number of homicides has decreased since last year. However, the number of shootings has increased from 833 in June 2013 to 880 shootings as of June 29, 2014.
As the news of the bloody holiday weekend continuously flashes across my television screen and social media, I’m wondering if anyone else is seeing what I’m seeing. I see this news as a cry for help from Chicago. This city – which is now referred by some as “Chiraq,” (a combination of Chicago and Iraq) – has endured extreme amounts of gun violence and was also named the bloodiest city in the nation since 2012. Without question, our brothers and sisters seriously need our help. But what can we do?
What Can Be Done
Tuesday evening, the Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, III, the prominent pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ, located on Chicago’s South Side, spoke about the issue of the homicides with MSNBC’s Ed Shultz. Pastor Moss reiterated that churches must hold elected officials accountable. Chicago’s mayor, Rahm Emanuel, has made reducing the amount of gun violence one of his top priorities; however the city has not seen much change. (According to USA Today, one of the fatal shootings took place down the street from Emanuel’s home, on the north side of Chicago, which does not witness even a quarter of the bloodshed that other Chicago areas witness.)
Roland Martin suggests that if these 16 homicides that occurred on the south and west sides of Chicago had occurred on the North side, the country would really be in an upset. What will it take for us to show compassion for our children in these seemingly forgotten areas of Chicago?
Reverend Moss says that we must realize that these children are just as important as the Sandy Hook children, and just as important as the children in Israel. Therefore, we must begin taking action in our schools, and churches – the two grounds that constantly bring communities together. During his interview he makes some suggestions that could decrease gun violence. There has to be economic investment; pay for teachers in the impoverished schools should be increased, and given more resources. We can invest in the students at historically black colleges – bringing these students back to Chicago, connecting them with major corporations for jobs, and then sending them out into the city’s public schools to mentor and educate. The children of Chicago have to see it to believe it. There must be some positive role models to imitate, which leads to Reverend Moss’ last suggestion of a Hip-Hop Progressive Movement. Our hip-hop artists that come from other impoverished areas of the country must stand up and show some compassion, write lyrics that disgrace the acts of violence and do not enhance the violence. It is time for a change. Are we going to wait until the entire city is wiped out to do something about this tragic reoccurrence?
What Is Being Done
For the past couple of years, New Beginnings Church of South Side Chicago, led by Pastor Corey Brooks has initiated a movement entitled Project H.O.O.D (Helping Others Obtain Destiny). The organization originally started as a campaign to raise $450,000 for the purchase of land where a run-down, crime ridden Motel 6 stood at 6625 South King Drive in Southside Chicago. Through the church’s “SHUT EM DOWN” campaign, Pastor Brooks and his congregation have closed the motel and strategically persisted in building a place of positivity for the Woodlawn neighborhood to unite and live without fear.
When discussing this issue of violence in a political environment, the conservative side believes that there needs to be more attention on what goes on in the ‘black family.’ The liberal side says we should leave the problem in the hands of our elected officials, or elect our officials according to their plans to somehow decrease the violence, because that’s their job.
I would suggest that by coming together as a community we have the ability to diminish this homicide high that the city of Chicago has been on for the past couple of years. Our communities can open youth centers, or churches and schools could hold late night study sessions/game nights/sporting events to help keep children off of the streets. We can try to hold President Obama accountable, as a native of Chicago. We can hold Mayor Emanuel accountable too. However we do it we must remember these are ALL of our children, and we must act accordingly. It won’t happen overnight, but there is much work to be done.
The Modulus of Elasticity is breached by the inhibitions of a mind, momentarily shut off by a snapping of the nerves. In this atmosphere, acts of racial prejudice, and dehumanizing violence is not only possible but probable. The word of God reminds us to
“When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down”. Ephesians 4:26Amplified Bible (AMP)
The guiltless Christ took the brunt of the Modulus of Elasticity, by the Compressive Strength to carry the cross he did not deserve, and the Tensile Strength to stretch out upon it for all and we must put our trust in him.
Although it’s sad to see what’s happening in Chicago, I do not understand why the media feel they must “target Chicago” as “a real bad urban place.” ALL major cities in the United States are battling the rising tide of crime and senseless shootings that kill young and old alike. Frankly, the wave of gun violence in America’s smaller towns, exurbs and suburbs is just as dangerous and disturbing as that in any “city environment.” The major economic problems of this country have produced a desperation for money and material goods–and so “crimes of acquisition” (robbery, theft, larceny, muggings, etc,) reflect a populace who are DESPERATE to eat and pay for life’s necessities. These economic problems were created by the “captains of industry” in this country, who decided since the 1980’s to “re-locate” in Asian countries, so that they could ruthlessly exploit Asian workers with depressed wages and unsafe, inhumane working conditions. They did not care that Americans would be stripped of their means to earn a decent wage and thus support their families and communities. President Obama should not be “held accountable” for Chicago’s problems, any more than any other American president should be “held accountable” for all the violence in their hometowns. The President has been fought tooth and nail by a recalcitrant, racist House of Representatives that is bent and determined NOT to implement ANY policy or spend ANY money to repair/rebuild infrastructure or meet human need in this country. Until all the gun lobbyists, manufacturers and marketers of guns stop flooding the marketplace with high-tech, military-style weapons and making these available to children, adolescents and sociopathic adults, we shall continue to see escalating gun violence in our streets, theaters, shopping malls and schools. Guns are worshiped in the United States and any reasonable attempt to limit this worship is met by stiff opposition in federal, state and municipal legislatures. Mayors and presidents cannot stem gun violence unless American citizens stop bowing to the “god of weapons” and start voting against those who worship weapons and cater to the “gun lobby cult.” I applaud the creative efforts of churches and non-profit organizations that work to meet the needs of children and youth in impoverished communities. Yes, we can collectively do more in our neighborhoods and yes, we should be trusting God to help us–but we MUST remember that
the harsh economic realities that drive many people to crime in big cities and small villages
were not created by our communities and will not be resolved until AMERICANS begin to rebuild their economy and pressure their legislatures to INVEST IN AMERICA instead of these endless foreign wars and “police actions” that waste TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS abroad!