On May 10, 2007, the precious jewel in our crown was violently taken from us when a teenaged gunman boarded a crowded bus on Chicago’s Far South Side and opened fire with a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun. It struck five unintended and innocent te
On May 10, 2007, the precious jewel in our crown was violently taken from us when a teenaged gunman boarded a crowded bus on Chicago’s Far South Side and opened fire with a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun. It struck five unintended and innocent teens. Four survived.
My 16-year-old son Blair didn’t.
When I recently watched NBC’s “Dateline, America Now: Faces Against Violence” news special, for the first time did I actually view the grainy black and white bus surveillance video of Blair’s image enhanced by a circular highlight, being shot in the abdomen.
He grabbed his stomach, fell to the floor and squirmed to the rear door area. Amidst chaos, disorder, and mayhem as the bus emptied of students who hopped across Blair as he clung to life, a few students stayed behind to keep him calm. I could only watch as I witnessed my son’s life slip away.
From that evening and after asking God to give me strength to deal and live with the worst nightmare any parent could imagine, I decided to join the fight to help reduce the gun violence that has claimed so many youth over the years. No one could have told me 20 years ago that I would be mourning and grieving the death of my only child 16 years later. I wouldn’t wish that experience upon my worst enemy.
As a veteran Chicago police officer I was well aware of the gun violence and the victims it had claimed over the years. I thought I took all the precautions for safe passage for my son. I thought I had all the bases covered. But the devil back-doored me.
The idea of being visible, vigilant and vocal was born out of the days leading up to Blair’s visitation and funeral. Blair’s death had resonated much throughout the Chicagoland area that the Rev. Mike Pfleger, pastor of Saint Sabina church said, “Blair’s death was the catalyst and spark that lit the flame and fueled the fire to the issue of gun and youth violence, which reverberated around many parts of the country. Blair became the poster child and face of young and innocent victims of gun violence.”
Since Blair’s death over three years ago my life has changed dramatically. I’ve participated in anti-violence rallies and prayer vigils; spoke at block clubs, youth groups, churches, parks, schools; been interviewed on many local and national television/radio news shows, newspapers and magazines; traveled to the state capital and Washington, D.C. for common sense gun legislation; and challenged the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the city’s handgun ban.
My son’s death made me keenly aware of where the problem lies when addressing gun and youth violence.
It lies within the home from where children and their parents live. How they were living was the question and concern. How the children were being raised was another question. Who was raising the children was another question. Or, were the children raising themselves? Were the human beings who birthed these children into the world capable of raising them? Or were they incapable? Did they have the parental skillset to raise a successful child? Was the environment conducive to nurturing, affection, attention and love? Do these so-called parents know that consistent involvement, coupled with love in a child’s life would get them and their children through the rough patches when raising a child?
As we move forward in efforts to end gun violence, one has to say to him or herself, “If a mind is a terrible thing to waste, then a life is a terrible thing to take, and a sinful act to make.”
I often tell young people, “Your parents did not birth and raise you in the world to populate hell.” I tell parents, “There is a difference between birthing a child, and raising a child into the world and teaching them how to survive, thrive and succeed.”
Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender
Ronald M. Holt, a veteran Chicago police officer, is the Director of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Implementation Office. He’s also a founding member of the Purpose Over Pain organization. www.purposeoverpain.org.
