Mother’s Day is especially painful to those who have lost their children to gun violence. After the gunshot or gun-killing news, we don’t hear about the aftermath.
What happens to the mothers who have lost loved ones? Derrick Harris interviewed some as they introduced a new initiative, “To Walk in My Shoes.” It’s a story untold.
A small group of women on the Westside of Chicago are the driving force and motivation behind a new Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Initiative sponsored by “To Walk In My Shoes NFP, “The P.E.A.C.E. Movement.” The initiative targets the communities of East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, and Austin. All of the women are victims and in one case a victim and “perpetrator” of gun violence. All have lost a child or other close relative to gun violence. All have a passionate commitment to ending gun violence on the Westside of Chicago.
Recently, I was a participant-observer in a Focus Group of mostly women who have lost children or other close relatives to gun violence. Their stories were chilling. Their stories were painful. Their stories were real. Please allow me to share some of their stories. The names have been withheld to protect the innocent as well as the guilty.
Mother #1
“My eighteen (18) year old son was shot and killed. I’ve been shot, and my two other kids have been shot. The gun violence is crazy—it’s out of control! Parents need to stop being “friends to their children and be parents!!!”
Mother #2
“I’ve lost several family members and friends to gun violence. It hurts; it’s painful. I try to be strong for my family and friends, but it’s hard! Sometimes, I feel helpless and hopeless.”
Mother #3
“Three (3) people in my family have been shot. My sister got shot in the eye by my stepfather, who was an alcoholic. The aftermath was chaotic. Also, my grandson was killed two (2) years ago; and my son was recently shot.”
Mother #4
“I have been exposed to gun violence all of my life. I lost my oldest son to gun violence by his best friend. My son’s father was never a part of his life.”
Mother #5
“I am a victim and perpetrator of gun violence. Don’t criticize me because I may not like what I’m doing. My fifteen (15) year old grandson was shot. He was caught by the police with three (3) guns and now he’s in the Audy Home. Two of my three (3) sons lost their father to gun violence. All three (3) of my sons have been shot. My oldest son was killed while I was in prison. My children watched their mother do things mothers shouldn’t do in front of their children.”
Mother #6
I lost my oldest son to gun violence twelve (12) years ago; he was twenty-five (25) years old when he was killed. My youngest son saw his older brother get killed. It still bothers him. All of this has negatively impacted my life. They killed my son, but I died!”
Mother #7
My seventeen (17) year old son’s cousin was killed by gun violence, and it really affected him. My son has a tattoo of his cousin on the side of his face. I am respectful of his pain, and I embrace him with love. I don’t know what else to do.”
These women have chosen to embrace “purpose” over pain! This Saturday, May 7, 2022, they will host a “Pre-Mother’s Day Celebration and Peace-Out,” at 4750½ W. Madison (Madison & Cicero) starting at 1:00 pm. All are welcome. There will be plenty of food, fun, and a firm resolve to end gun violence in their communities.
Derrick B. HarrisCulture, Education, and Lifestyles Contributing Writer for N’DIGO
