Dear Source,
Sprawled in the parking lot, a young man lies, staining the pavement with his blood.
The school’s nurse, after applying direct pressure for so long, tires and needs relief. I simultaneously tried to calm him as he continued to spurt blood with every angry outburst of "Why did he shoot me?"
I prayed at that moment, "please don’t let him die."
Another time, I held a young man’s head in my lap while applying direct pressure to a stab wound in his neck. Again, I prayed that he wouldn’t die.
In another scenario, I’m teaching a class and must stop when a student breaks down in tears because a friend, relative, boyfriend or neighbor was stabbed or shot.
The class cries, and I cry as well.
I have repeated this scenario too many times in my classroom. Just a few weeks ago a student of mine looked sad. When I asked why, she indicated that her cousin was shot while on the pay phone by Hometown Convenience Store. And I cried.
Now, Jason Carroll is dead. He was not a student at my school. Nevertheless, our lives had touched each other. Again I cried, not only for the killed by for the killers.
We can no longer cry individuals tears, saying how sad and terrible it is, attend a funeral, and go on with our lives.
We can no longer look away, not wanting to take responsibility.
These atrocities must stop!
However, they will only stop when we come together as a community, for it is the deafening inattention to these atrocities that cause them to continue.
We look away, not wanting to take responsibility for our part in what is happening around us. It’s time for us to do more than talk. It is time to come together and work to heal our hurting community. It’s time to create a community that fosters hope for all. Anyone who commits murder is a person without hope.
Many of our young men are angry, without hope, and misguided. Creating a sub-community of castaways is what has led to these killings. We are our brothers keepers.
James and Celia Carroll’s son, Jason, was our son, too. But for by the grace of God it could have been your son or my son.
Let’s come together and change this pitiful pattern in our community.
My students recently, asked me, "Why now, since others have died and nothing was done?"
My reply was that enough is enough; Jason Carroll can be the catalyst for change.
I'm pleading with the community to make a difference.
Persons interested in making a difference can contact me, Carolyn Davis at 775-5661.
Carolyn Davis
St. Thomas