Family, friends of Philadelphia gun violence victims share stories and hopes for change
A Mother’s Plea: Ending Gun Violence in Philadelphia
As I sit here, remembering the day my daughter Dominique Olby was taken from me just a month shy of graduating with honors from Finn State, I am left with a sense of emptiness that can never be filled. Losing someone so suddenly and tragically leaves a scar that never heals. But as I reflect on my own experience, I am reminded of the countless other mothers who have had to endure the same pain, the same sense of loss and abandonment.
My brother, Dante Wy, was murdered on June 17th, 2008. His murder remains unsolved to this day. But what hurts even more is the thought that my nephew, who owned a convenience store in Frankfurt, was shot and killed just yesterday. The police report that he was sweeping up outside his store around 12:30 am when he was struck by gunfire. Four or five shots were fired, leaving his family and friends to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
Surviving the Unbearable
Losing a child is a pain that never subsides. It’s a wound that never heals. But what I’ve come to realize is that there are so many other parents who are dealing with the same pain, the same anguish. And it’s not just parents who are affected; it’s families, communities, and entire cities.
The Epidemic of Gun Violence
Philadelphia is a city that knows all too well the devastating impact of gun violence. According to statistics, 100% of children in certain areas of the city will be affected by gun violence at some point in their lives. This is a reality that is hard to stomach, but it’s one that we cannot ignore.
The Responsibility of Local Governments
As a city, we need resources to combat this epidemic. We need funding for programs that provide positive influences for our children, programs that teach them the value of life and the importance of staying away from guns and drugs. We need our local governments to take responsibility for stopping this senseless violence.
Community Efforts
There are grassroots organizations out here, working tirelessly to make a difference. They are putting in the time and effort to provide positive influences for our children. But they need our support, they need our funding, and they need our acknowledgment.
A Call to Action
As I look back on the tragic loss of my daughter and my brother, I am reminded of the importance of taking action. We cannot continue to live in a society where children are being taken from their families, where parents are being left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
We need to come together as a community to support each other, to support our families, and to support our children. We need to provide them with the resources they need to grow and thrive, to live a life free from the fear of gun violence.
Let us make this go viral. Let us share this story, let us raise awareness about the epidemic of gun violence in Philadelphia. Let us work together to create a brighter future for our children, a future where they can grow up without the fear of violence hanging over their heads.
