Is it time for our youths to wear bulletproof vests? How many more mothers and fathers have to bury their children? In far too many communities, violence has been normalized. We go on with our lives only to hear once again that senseless violence has killed another child. Who is responsible for this carnage?
When I served in the military, the question would have been easy to answer. I trained for war and could determine who the enemy was. Who do our youths see as the enemy?
Far too many youths are facing a war of sorts in their own communities. They are overwhelmed and ill-prepared to deal with the consequences of this war. Homicide is among the leading causes of death for American adolescents and youths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Conflicts erupt among peers, associates, social media enemies, gangs and other groups. Youths may be friends one minute, then enemies the next.
There used to be a time when parks in many communities were filled with parents and kids enjoying a sunny day. Kids would ride their bikes and play games in the street, and they’d run to the ice cream truck as it drove past slowly. When the sun went down, and the streetlights came on, kids would head home and couldn’t wait for the next day. They didn’t hear gunshots or see blood on the streets. These days, in far too many communities, this peace no longer exists.
Many parents now won’t let their children go outside and play until dusk. Kids are required to stay inside, where they play video games, watch television or talk on their phones. Many may never learn childhood games such as hopscotch, double Dutch, hide-and-seek, red light green light and scavenger hunts. They miss out on many moments of laughter and camaraderie.
When we were young, these moments allowed us to develop relationships. We learned what it meant to win or lose, and we learned how to cope when situations did not go our way. We saw each other as friends, even when we disagreed. This helped us work together in harmony with our peers. Unfortunately, disagreements among our youths nowadays could lead to violence.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt said. What fills the dreams of our youths? They face despair, violent images, school shootings and video games infused with violence. Do they have dreams or nightmares?
As their elders, leaders and parents, how do we change the images and negative thoughts that pervade their minds? Negative thoughts and images can take their toll on our youths. Suicide is another leading cause of death among them, the CDC reports.
What steps should we take to change this reality? First, we must not accept the status quo. Communities should form support and neighborhood groups to combat crime, work with law enforcement and not turn a blind eye to what is happening on the streets, hold elected officials accountable and support them when policies are relatively successful.
What is the alternative? Having our youths wear bulletproof vests and hope for better days? Do we want to continue to see the lives of our children cut short and dreams never realized? Or do we want our children to return to the days when they had dreams and not nightmares?
It begins with us adults. If we don’t find the answers, our youths wearing body armor to protect themselves from gunfire may become a reality.
Jerald McNair is an administrator at South Holland Illinois School District 151.
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