Guns, Violence, & What Can Be Done
On Friday, Bridgit told me that one of my past students, Joseph Morante, was shot and killed a few days ago while working at a cell phone store in Roxbury. Joe was a student in my photography class at Phoenix Charter Academy in Chelsea during the spring of 2012. Joe always participated in class discussions, showed strong interest in the photographs of others, and made some of the best photographs in the class. He was engaged to be married and, from all news accounts with family and friends, doing very well. It's truly sad news.
Joe's murder has not been front page news. The focus has been the murder of Amy Lord, and deservedly so, but the Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley made a statement the other day that highlighted the disparities in coverage of the violence that occurs on the streets of Boston. Conley said:
"[Joe] was just 19 years old; his death, too, is an unimaginable tragedy for his family, friends, and loved ones... ...His case deserves the same outpouring of public support received in Amy’s case. He, too, deserves nothing but our very best efforts.”
To me, Conley was literally outlining to the people of Boston and Massachusetts that there are major difference in the news coverage and public support when homicides, shootings, and various crimes occur throughout different parts the city and state based primarily on location, perceived socioeconomic status, and unfortunately, skin tone. In having conversations about Joe's death, I've heard from many that they would not have even known of what happened to Joe had they not seen some, or all, of Conley's news conference announcing the charges against the man suspected of killing Amy Lord.
The conversations I have had with Bridgit and colleagues about the disparities are often intense, emotional, and lead to the same question at the end: What can we do about it? For Bridgit, doing something about it has been (and will most likely be again) facilitating art classes/groups with "at potential" (the new "at risk") youth in helping them change their lives by reinvesting in their education, community, and lives. For me, doing something about it means using in-home therapy to assist youth and families improve, cope, and adjust to dramatic and unexpected changes, mental illness, trauma, and any other stressor that may encompass them.
But for the people who are not in the "helping" fields, what can be done about it? Here are my five ideas:
First, be aware of the injustices that occur in your own community. If you don't think there are any, look harder. I promise you, they are there.
Second, talk, talk, talk, and talk some more, about any new story that you find important that didn't make front page, high profile news. Word of mouth is the oldest news source in the world (but make sure your facts are just that: facts).
Third, get involved. Join an organization or movement that focuses on an issue that you are in favor of. I can almost guarantee you that any and every issue that faces communities, cities, states, countries, or the world have organizations or movements that are trying to make a difference. If you truly can't find one, start one. People will follow. Humans love other humans that have similar passions and interests.
Fourth, get involved: part two. Follow politics, contact senators and representatives, vote, attend and participate in public hearings, vote in local elections (I am also guilty of not voting in local elections), hold elected officials accountable, and vote again. Make your voice heard. We no longer live in an era when you had to hand write a letter to your elected official. With a few clicks of a mouse and words typed, you can make a difference.
Fifth, check yourself. Investigate and explore your own biases. We all have them. This doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human. We are a country (and a world) that stereotypes by nature. It's not your fault, but you must be aware of how these stereotypes effect you and your behavior out in the world.
Coincidentally, Bridgit and I attended a public gathering on Thursday night that was sponsored by the B-PEACE for Jorge Campaign that focused on the prevalence of guns in the communities of Boston. Jorge was a student of Bridgit's who was shot and killed last year. The workshop was held in a small room in St. Mary's Church in Dorchester that was hot and sticky with humidity and the congestion of 80+ community members, organizations leaders, and city and state employees. The public gathering was run by the LIPSTICK Campaign and highlighted new research that shows that women and girls "enable gun traffickers by buying, concealing, storing and holding guns for felons who can't get guns legally." The LIPSTICK Campaign's major message is to ask, after every shooting, "Where did the gun come from?" in order to focus investigations on "straw purchasers" and illegal gun sales, as well as the shooter. The passion, intensity, and anger of the supporters in the room was palpable, and when the gathering was over, we both left with motivation to make a change, in any way possible, in our communities.
For the first time after a shooting in Boston, I asked, "Where did the gun come from that was used to kill Joe?"
The most powerful moment of the gathering was before the facilitators began their presentation. They asked the 80+ attendees to raise a hand if they knew someone who has been shot. The result was a room full of risen hands. Everyone had a hand up. And now with Joe's death, my hand was raised too. Unfortunately, some hands stayed up as the facilitator asked if people knew 2, 3, 4, and even 5 people who have been shot. It was eye opening and a convincing moment that things need to change.
This animated Gif shows the gathering in less than 10 seconds and ends on an image of Jorge's brother who wears the customary pins of remembrance for those who he has lost.
You can make a difference in this and any issue you put your mind to. You just need to make the space (Bridgit and my favorite motto). We all need to work on my five pieces of advice, and just because I am part of the "helping" profession, doesn't mean that I can do some and not all of them. It takes time and effort, which we don't all have after a long day at work. But every little bit helps, so do what you can.