A Community Crisis
By Sherida Devine
On December 11, 2017, my life took an unexpected turn. I uprooted everything I dedicated my life towards. I never thought I’d join a group of individuals so painfully conflicted, yet to this day would welcome me into an undesired club of tragedy. I was now what I always stated, “I cannot imagine.” I wish I’d never fixed my mouth to utter those words.
Unfortunately, that particular evening my identical twin son was robbed of his life. Not only was his life taken, but the lives that remained were left with an unwarranted void. I wish I could say I was the only one, or even the last one to join this club of mothers whose children had been murdered. However, I am not, and the murders of our Black youth have become a crisis that is plaguing the nation with Las Vegas gaining ground.
Losing a child to death is a parent’s worst nightmare, especially when it is unexpected. Each mother engages their own unique processes of grief, so there’s no specific formula to explain this life transition. The one thing that remains in common is the need for the murders to stop. Our youth are hurting for many different reasons, and they cannot heal themselves. Now we have not just a club, but a community of mothers that are fighting to get through each day, leaving these hurting young souls to try and cope on their own. This leads to additional agony within our community.
The Black community must act now! I can assure you that you can never know if or when this membership will walk through your door. We need each other and we need our youth. The next time you see a young Prince or Princess, take the time to speak and let them know you see them and that their lives matter. It is the season for healing and it takes the village.
