Too Many Hash Marks

Posted on June 13, 2016 by pamelaflynnart

flynn_1 still counting 50

The second weekend in June 2016 was horrible. It was horrible because on June 10, 2016, Christina Grimmie was shot to death. It was horrible because on June 11, 2016, 49 people at the Pulse Club were shot to death. Now the number of victims from gun violence will include these deaths. The new total will include the death of these 50 people. These people who died will become hash marks in the never ending death count from gun violence. But these people are not hash marks they were sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. Some were short, some were tall, some were serious some were carefree, some were men some were women. We the people of America must see each death from gun violence as individuals, as our brothers and our sisters. Only then can we see that we the people of America must make changes in our gun laws. We the people must have the courage to do the right thing. Change is slow but change only happens when there is a start. The start must happen. These victims are not hash marks, they were members of our community.

Chicago

Posted on May 29, 2016 by pamelaflynnart

Summer is a wonderful time of the year. The sun shines, children are out of school and families spend time together. Even in a hot city summer can be joyous. Children play on the sidewalks and parents sit on the stoops talking.

But it is summer 2016 and in Chicago parents will keep children inside. In Chicago communities are filled with fear. In Chicago gun violence is up 50%.

In Chicago on May 27, 2016 the residents and community leaders rallied together to take back the streets, to make their communities safe. On May 28, 2016, the police reported, 19 people had been shot, four shot dead, including a 15-year-old girl.

The people who make up the city of Chicago are scared of summer. They are scared to walk on the sidewalks; they are scared to let their children play in the sunshine.

Does the sun shine is Chicago or only produce a glare that shields the violence?

Tally-keeping count

The After

Posted on May 26, 2014 by pamelaflynnart

After is defined as during the period of time following an event. Today is the after of the violence of May 23, 2014, in the college town of Isla Vista, California. Today and tomorrow are the after of a killing spree that left six dead and thirteen hurt. Everyday will be the after for the family and friends of the six people killed. Everyday will be the after for the thirteen who suffered injuries. The after for these victims should have been happy events-celebrations, but instead the after is filled with loss. Why is our world filled with so many tragic afters?

Again and Again and Again

Posted on September 16, 2013 by pamelaflynnart

Again

Again a morning shattered by gun violence.

Again a lone shooter killing innocent citizens.

September 16, 2013, twelve people shot and killed in the DC Navy Yard.

Twelve people who will not go home to loved ones.

Again we mourn the loss.

Dichotomy

Posted on June 10, 2013 by pamelaflynnart

Guns and human life are mutually exclusive. Guns and human life are contradictory. Guns are weapons made to cause harm. Flowers are left on the site of gun violence. The dichotomy is restated.

When Recreation and Gun Violence Collide

Posted on January 31, 2013 by pamelaflynnart

A park is a public area in a town that is used for recreation. Recreation is an activity done for enjoyment when one is not working. On January 29, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton went to a Chicago park with her friends. They were using the public area as a place of recreation. Hadiya was shot to death in the park. Hadiya Pendleton was 15 and was a hard working student. Hadiya Pendleton performed at the 2013 presidential inaugural events. Hadiya is dead because in Chicago gun violence seems to have become a way of life that could be said to border on recreation for some members of the Chicago community.

Bang, Bang, Bang

Posted on January 3, 2013 by pamelaflynnart

In a one hour span of time there were three deadly shootings on Sunday, December 2, 2012, on the streets of Philadelphia. Three lives reduced to three new hash marks to add to the tally.

Life and Innocence Lost

Posted on September 8, 2012 by pamelaflynnart

On Saturday, September 1, 2012 in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, the fun at a block birthday party for a neighborhood child was shattered by the random shooting of a 21 year old man. The man died of a gunshot wound to the head. The innocence of the children at the party was lost as they watched the violence unfold.

Ripple Effect

The Partnership Between a Gun and the Shooter

Posted on June 11, 2012 by pamelaflynnart

The gun is a tool for killing. The killer is the shooter.

This is a truth but another truth is if a gun is not available the killer is not able to shoot the gun and kill.

Without a gun in the hands of the shooter, Edward Christian, Ladarious Phillips, and Demario Pitts would be alive today. They were killed on June 10, 2012, in Auburn, Alabama by a man who had a gun. The gun did not kill. The shooter did, but without the gun the shooter could not have killed Edward, Ladarious, and Demario. The gun and the shooter worked in unison. It was a deadly partnership.

Street Fight-North Side

Targeted Gun Violence

Posted on May 19, 2012 by pamelaflynnart

A dispute is defined as a debate, controversy, or difference of opinion. Disputes should be settled through dialogue. Settling a dispute through dialoguing can lead to finding a middle ground.

Too many disputes are settled through targeted gun violence.

On March 3, 2012, someone had a dispute with Calvin Johnson. Calvin was shot while at work at the Golden Pizzeria in Newark, N.J. The difference of opinion was not debated, the difference of opinion was not worked out. Calvin had no chance to try to find a middle ground. Calvin is dead and his six children are left without a father.

Target Practice #1

Considering Harm

visual images responding to culture

Tag Archives: targeted gun violence.