June 21, 2007 – As an African-American mother and grandmother, it troubles me that the African-American community is not in a state of outrage against the robberies, drugs, gangs and violence that are destroying our youth and our communities. Day after day these horrible elements continue to ricochet from one end of this country to the other. It's really sad, but nothing out of the norm; it's just an everyday thing in this great, civilized society – especially in the African American community. We have the hunters and the hunted. Unfortunately, the hunters are usually young, involved in drug activity, gang members, jobless, educationally deprived, mentally unstable and African-American males.
We see the drugs, the gangs and acts of gun violence happening right here in our neighborhood, and yet so many turn their heads and remain silent. Many remain silent out of fear, but let's put fear aside for a moment. Would you rather fear making that anonymous call to 911, or being a victim? Keeping silent only gives these punks more power to rule their turf – your community. When will enough be enough?
I'm tired of seeing our youth not living to a ripe old age to rear their own children and enjoy their grandchildren. They need you to love them enough to guide them, to teach them the difference between right and wrong, and to suffer the consequences when they cross the line. I'm tired of seeing my daughters and sons on the street corners, robbing and stealing from their own families and others. I'm tired of seeing my sons and daughters spaced out from the effects of drugs. I'm tired of hearing other people's stories about how their children are incarcerated for committing horrible crimes, or worse: dead and buried!
Gun violence is out of control! Some of our youth (and not so young) are out of control! Drugs and gangs are rampant in our communities, and we just sit back and wait for another body bag to be taken out. Something's wrong with this picture. It's time to wake up and get involved in reclaiming our youth and our communities. There is help out there that can save your life and those of your loved ones. Drug addicts need counseling and rehab. Gang members need an education and intervention, and anyone that commits an act of gun violence against another human being should receive the maximum penalty allowed by law.
Guns make money for people: lawyers, insurance companies and funeral homes. Let's not forget the manufacturers and distributors! The only difference between us and other countries is that we make it as easy as possible for people to get a gun, all in the name of the so-called "right to bear arms." We need common sense federal gun laws and the elimination of state gun laws. This only makes common sense since laws vary from state to state. With federal laws, violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and this will be a wake-up call to those who illegally transport guns across state lines.
We must get involved in the lives of the youth in our community, and let them know that we will not allow them to destroy it, or themselves. United, we can make our communities safe and reclaim our youth. I'm sick and tired of attending funerals because these thugs are allowed to continue their rampage and revengeful acts with no regard for the life of anyone, including their own. Death by natural cause is devastating, but a violent act causing death is beyond devastation. Enough is enough!
Liz Bishop-Goldsmith
Web site: www.mothersagainstguns.org
Editor's note: Bishop-Goldsmith founded Mothers Against Guns Inc. in 1994 after the brutal slaying of her godson.
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