It has to be disturbing to see video footage associated with criminal activity. But it must be wrenching to identify the video’s subject as not just someone you know of, or even a relative, but as your own child; the one you gave birth to.
It has to be disturbing to see video footage associated with criminal activity. But it must be wrenching to identify the video’s subject as not just someone you know of or even a relative but as your own child–the one you gave birth to.
Chicago’s Black communities need many more Patricia Wilsons. After seeing video from a Chicago Transit Authority bus where 17-year-old Kiyanna Salter was fatally shot, Wilson identified the man police were interested in talking to as her own son, Milton Wardlaw, 24. With her pastor by her side, she came forward and made a heartfelt public appeal for him to turn himself in.
The power and influence of a mother can hardly be understated. But the tough love and audacity Patricia Wilson showed would go a long way toward helping our communities reclaim street corners, blocks and parks from the thugs who mean our neighborhoods, city and society no good. We need Patricia Wilsons to come forward and help bring justice and closure to an Austin teen who is too afraid to leave her home after being brutally raped, assaulted and mauled in a West Side alley. Mya Lyons’ family deserves to know what happened to their 9-year-old daughter, who was stabbed and left for dead like a wild animal’s prey in a South Side alley.
Patricia Wilsons are parents, cousins, neighbors, homies, boys and other witnesses to crimes, or know who committed or was somehow involved in them. We need Patricia Wilsons to stop harboring criminals with their silence, rise above their fears and reservations, and come forth with the information they know that they have. Silence has long been to the detriment of our communities’ security.
There are those in the community who decry “snitchin.” They live by some kind of street credo that says you don’t turn in bad actors because too many of our sons and daughters are in prison, and there is no justice in our courts.
Yes, too many of our sons and daughters are in prison, and sometimes when we seek justice, we only find “just us.” But the answer is not turning a blind eye to the senseless crime being committed on our streets. The answer is not demonizing those who cooperate with police in removing criminal predators from our communities.
There are tragedies we all rue that mothers and fathers far too often have to endure. Kiyanna, Mya and all of the other unintended victims of senseless violent crimes did not deserve such random, undiscriminating and dastardly acts. But when witnesses and others come forth and participate in helping mete out justice, it can be a balm for grieving families. Patricia Wilson wanted to protect her son, but her selfless act is something that needs to be emulated.
To see photos from Mya Lyons’ funeral, click here.
To see photos from Kiyanna Salters’ funeral, click here.
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