Are You Really Interested In Helping Us?
The violence is increasing in Columbus. There has been 33 percent more murders in Columbus than a year ago, 61 at this point compared to 46 at this time last year. It’s the end of July 2010 and the year is only halfway out. The most significant thing I feel that needs attention is the dramatic rise in homicide in the city of Columbus.
Katrel Parker was the latest victim of gun violence this year, and his being 16 years old is sadly not uncommon with the recent trend that has left a streak of families mourning these adolescent boys. What is even more disturbing than the rise in young violence is the collective response being proposed by our city officials.
On the front page of the Friday, July 23rd issue of the Columbus Dispatch, there is an article about the late Katrel Parker and the article was written with a journalist’s analysis of the violent summer in general. The title of the article reads “Mayor, police chief announce new ‘community response teams’ to combat growing violence.” I am baffled of how “combating” violence can be an effective strategy to stop the blood shed that has become common place. When I think “combat” the only thing that comes to mind is even more blood shed and incarcerations. The report appeared to remove the human element from the social conditions that leads to violence such as poverty and joblessness. The manner in which this phenomenon has been reported leads me to believe that maybe the reporters, law enforcers and city officials are just as lost as the young men who are being plagued with violence.
The language that is being used by city officials to correspond to the recent violence seems to be distant and uncaring. What did the paper report as far as the city’s response plan? Their response plans fail to take into consideration that killers are bred not born. The social, political, and environmental circumstances that produce pistol toting 16 year olds are the real killers and people living in working class communities are its most likely victims. Why then are these young men being labeled the problem? Could it be that we as a community have let it happen?
I did not know Katrel Parker, nor did I know the two young men who have been accused of his murder, however I felt it because the shooting took place in broad day light directly in front of the house of one of the members of our Columbus team who happens to have three children of her own. If we do not reclaim our communities and take responsibility for our youth, this violence will continue to occur. We need to have a collective voice in demanding that our concerns get addressed with compassion and first we must have compassion for each other. We also need creative solutions that come from the people who live in these communities. Ultimately, we need an attentive compassionate community and we are responsible for creating our dreams.
