The Mental/Emotional well being of 19th ward residents

In the past week we've endured THREE shootings and an arson that burned down 1 house and destroyed 2 others...... I'm sure that there are other 'tragedies' that we have not even heard about - assaults, robberies, etc. The immediate 'victims' of these events are obvious - the people who get shot, the people who lose their homes/possessions, neighborhoods but there is a MUCH larger impact on the general 19th ward community.
I believe that these types of events are really having an impact on the well being of our entire neighborhood. I know friends and neighbors who struggle with anxiety, depression and extreme ambivalence about whether they should stay in this community. I know others who hide in their homes for fear of what might happen to them. And others who hide behind denial by continuously repeating "this could happen anywhere" as a means of rationalizing the seriousness of some of these events.
I experience more "bad things" in my neighborhood than my entire family experiences. NONE of them (and they live in a variety of places!) have experienced multiple homes burning to the ground, arson on their street, shootings on their street, home invasions, robberies, assaults, etc.
I find comfort in knowing that I am 'not alone' and that i have neighbors who i can count on, talk with, etc but I am worried about the emotional well being of this community....

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on October 23, 2009 at 10:44pm

Anthony and I struggle with this all the time. Yes I have created a website to bring us together, but sometimes I wonder why. As quick as a pull of a trigger, a light of a match, or the breaking of a window, all our hard work seems to be erased.

Many wonderful and devoted folks have been fighting for the 19th Ward for YEARS, and yet we are stuck in the same rut of weekly shootings, arson's, assaults. Not to mention the general disregard for our street environment, and personal property. We organize, we meet, we volunteer. We keep our eyes open, and are alert, watching our streets, our neighbors homes and our own. I don't know about you, but I am not getting sick and tired of being sick and tired. I think it's time we had direct conversions with city hall, and our elected officials. We need help. We can not continue on this path.
-Shawn

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Permalink Reply by MacClurg Vivian on October 24, 2009 at 8:52am

Know that your website is not for naught. In fact, it brings connection and with that comes hope and with that comes a willingness to act together. The bullet or match cannot erase that!

Shawn, you and many are feeling the discouragement that comes from squarely facing the effects of decades of poverty, racism, and what capitalism does to people and neighborhoods when money is prioritized over the well-being of people (aka profits over people). Most folks don't squarely face these issues; they work really hard to avoid this reality, in fact. Many 19thwarders have chosen to take this on. And it does feel overwhelming and painful to look directly at this crap day after day. However, it is in the light of noticing this reality that we will make progress; and, if we do not buy the discouragement. Because it is only that, discouragement; and, that has it roots in our early experiences with discouragement (show me an adult whose childhood was not filled with hundreds of events of disappointment, large and small). The reality is that we are smart, powerful, caring and working together to make a difference. It may take awhile, maybe five years or ten years... But we/you have already made a difference and it is useful to notice every victory, no matter how small. Such as when a 19th W resident signs up for Loc19 and steps out of their isolation a bit more, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on October 24, 2009 at 8:58am

Thank you MacClurg.
-Shawn

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Sullivan on October 24, 2009 at 9:48am

Hi Folks,
Shawn, I understand your response and agree with MacClurg. We've been here over 30 years and have seen this neighborhood through many changes. I believe that the healthiest communities are integrated across race, cultures and socioeconomic status with all that brings. I lead the mindful meditation sessions on tuesday nights for kids first and then adults to bring healing and loving kindness to our community but it also a witness to all that is in our community.

Does it make a difference? I don't know but I know from growing up in the city of Detroit, leaving the city behind creates chaos for the entire region.

Wendy