Jasmine Dixon
Westside Academy
I’m a 17 year old Detroit Public High School Student surviving in a violent environment. Although gun violence happens most of the time, it is not the only violence I am subjected to. Within the last few months, at my school alone, we have had three students listed in critical condition from gunfire. In the United State, there were 64,319 people that died from gunfire over the last thirteen years. You should make a stand right now and show us you care. Show us that you’re ready for a change.
Guns are easily accessible. They are sometimes left unsecured in our homes, and more times than not, within arms reach in our neighborhoods. Just because the neglect or lack of responsibility does not rest solely on your shoulder, doesn’t mean you’re not contributing to the problem. Simply saying “NO” and taking even the smallest of actions can save someone’s life. People have purchased guns to feel safe and to protect their families. However, when ignorance has a stronger presence than responsibility and knowledge, not only is a false sense of security born but yet another opportunity for senseless gun violence. Let’s not make it easy for our society of young adults to succumb to peer pressure. Instead, teach us how to follow your lead, and to lead by example as well.
As a teen I know what it’s like to be under peer pressure. I know now how to say “NO” and I want to challenge my peers to say “NO” as well. Most teens are afraid of being rejected and of not having friends. But if we don’t stand against gun violence now, it will only become more difficult to make and keep friends. Just as the gun violence epidemic didn’t evolve over night, neither will a resolution. But we have to start somewhere with someone, so why not right here with you.
Facts:
-In 1996 the most recent year for which data are available, 34,040 people died from gunfire in the United State.
-Homicides involving firearms have been the leading cause of death for African American males age 15 to 19 since 1969.
-In 2005, there were only 143 justifiable homicides by private citizens using handguns in the United State.
-Each year during 1993 through 1997, an average of 1,621 murderers who had not reached their 18th birthdays took someone’s life with a gun.
Westside Academy
I’m a 17 year old Detroit Public High School Student surviving in a violent environment. Although gun violence happens most of the time, it is not the only violence I am subjected to. Within the last few months, at my school alone, we have had three students listed in critical condition from gunfire. In the United State, there were 64,319 people that died from gunfire over the last thirteen years. You should make a stand right now and show us you care. Show us that you’re ready for a change.
Guns are easily accessible. They are sometimes left unsecured in our homes, and more times than not, within arms reach in our neighborhoods. Just because the neglect or lack of responsibility does not rest solely on your shoulder, doesn’t mean you’re not contributing to the problem. Simply saying “NO” and taking even the smallest of actions can save someone’s life. People have purchased guns to feel safe and to protect their families. However, when ignorance has a stronger presence than responsibility and knowledge, not only is a false sense of security born but yet another opportunity for senseless gun violence. Let’s not make it easy for our society of young adults to succumb to peer pressure. Instead, teach us how to follow your lead, and to lead by example as well.
As a teen I know what it’s like to be under peer pressure. I know now how to say “NO” and I want to challenge my peers to say “NO” as well. Most teens are afraid of being rejected and of not having friends. But if we don’t stand against gun violence now, it will only become more difficult to make and keep friends. Just as the gun violence epidemic didn’t evolve over night, neither will a resolution. But we have to start somewhere with someone, so why not right here with you.
Facts:
-In 1996 the most recent year for which data are available, 34,040 people died from gunfire in the United State.
-Homicides involving firearms have been the leading cause of death for African American males age 15 to 19 since 1969.
-In 2005, there were only 143 justifiable homicides by private citizens using handguns in the United State.
-Each year during 1993 through 1997, an average of 1,621 murderers who had not reached their 18th birthdays took someone’s life with a gun.
3 comments:
good information and interesting facts, a wake up call for youth to respect life.
WOW is what i said as i read your entry. not many people understand why violence goes on in in this entry it is crystal clear that you do. hooray for another teen waking up and realizing we need a change.
Being a gun owner myself, we as adults must practice gun safety at all times. Lock your guns away! If your gun is used to harm anyone, you are just as guilty of the crime and should be punished just the same.rd
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