Maria Lloyd: Politicians Remain Silent On Gun Control As Black Children Continue To Die
Seventeen Year Old Jalen C.J. Stogner Was Killed in Front of His Mother and Brothers at a Chicago Laundromat On Friday
by Maria Lloyd
After reading the story of 17-year-old Jalen Stogner, who was shot and killed in front of his mother and his 4- and 11-year-old brothers at a laundromat in Chicago on Friday, I became angry. Not only am I angry with the killer, the rough neighborhood in which the victim was raised, and the continued black-on-black crime; I am angry with the entire black community for allowing politicians to remain silent on gun control as our children die in our own yards.
In 2008 and 2009, black teens were only 15% of the child population, but were 45% of the total fatal gun deaths. Although I voted and worked for President Barack Obama, I am questioning his administration’s continued silence on the gun violence that is plaguing Chicago, the city in which he and First Lady Michelle Obama call home, and other cities throughout the nation. Rev. Ira Acree, of Greater St. John Bible Church in crime-ridden Chicago, notices the silence on gun violence from political parties. “People are being gunned down. Nobody’s talking about it. But both parties want our votes,” he said.
Here’s my question: Is the issue of black children dying across the nation not worth tackling?
President Obama briefly touched on gun laws following the Trayvon Martin tragedy, stating when a tragedy such as this occurs “… that means we examine the laws and the context for what happened, as well as the specifics of the incident.” Although Florida’s “stand your ground” law is implemented at the state level, there hasn’t been a major push from the Obama Administration on the federal level to change gun laws. In 2009, black boys between the ages of 15-19 were eight times more likely than white boys to be killed in a gun homicide. How does an administration manage to ignore such a startling statistic?
Even more startling is that gun homicide was the leading cause of death among black teens (ages 15-19) in 2009. The statistics serve as a reminder that Black America should no longer endure the pain of gun violence in silence. As with the mass incarceration of black men, we continue to allow issues that directly plague our community to be swept under politicians’ rugs. People have suggested that Black America take matters into our own hands as Minister Farrakhan is doing in Chicago, and others have suggested we challenge politicians (as I am recommending) to become more concerned with our issues. I’m not opposed to executing the aforementioned solutions in combination as long as it will ensure that children won’t have to fear getting shot while playing at the park or while selling lemonade outside their home. If being labeled as an “angry black woman” or an “angry black man” is what we have to be to get politicians to care about our children, we need to embrace the titles with pride.
This article is dedicated to children who have lost their lives to gun violence. Rest In Peace.
If you know a child who has died due to gun violence, please leave their name in the comments below.
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MARIA LlOYD…WOW….NO FREAKIN COMMENTS…AND YOU WONDER WHY POLITICIANS AREN’T SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT GUN LAWS. MARIA LLYOD YOU ALSO NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN BARACK OBAMA PROPOSES A LAW THAT REALLY CHANGES THINGS i.e. AHCA …IT’S EQUIVALENT TO TAKING OVER THE COUNTRY INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT’S BEST FOR THE U.S. CITIZEN.
Let’s keep it righteous; these yankees want our children to continue to kill each other…plain & simple!
These serpents don’t give a d**n about our children, but let this type of behavior happen in the burbs, there would be all kinds of meetings with the pigs to stop this type of violence.
Will y’all stop worrying about O’Drama because he is not going to help us, either! He wants to help EVERY race, except his own culture. He is no better, than a klanner or racist because he HATES his own BLACK PEOPLE!
WE MUST DO FOR SELF AND STOP DEPENDING ON THESE RACIST OLD KLANNERS, WHO ARE STILL IN THE POLITICAL GAME TO KEEP US AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHIP!
Derrick,
I’m assuming that your not voting in the November elections? How do you propose we “DO” for self since you came up with the idea?
How do you propose to make effective change happen so it benefits you and I?
Are you a Republican?
I mean I am just curious where your head is at.
@marvin ‘gay’:
First and foremost, DON’T assume shyt, because you are not in any position to analyze me, what I do and my po-shyticle affiliation.
Both of these racist parties are one in the same, and CONTROLLED by racist caucasoids. The ONLY way WE BLACKS can do for self; is to STOP supporting, patronizing and helping everybody else!
I find it amazing how negroids go and support OTHER races, while leaving their own people suffering! ALL of these races ENSLAVED us at one time in his-story/his-LIE, and they are STILL ENSLAVING US mentally, spiritually, physically, and financially.
How many people from India do you see patronizing Black businesses? How many arabs, mexicans aka chili chokers, asians and other races do you see PATRONIZING OUR BUSINESSES?
DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHERE MY HEAD IS AT…JUST MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR LIPS OFF OF MY HEAD!!!!
m***a/FUKA!!!!
I HATE YOU CRACKERS; NOSEY BASTARDS!!!!
Derrick you are an idiot would love to have a debate with you ignorant a*s
D.umb harvey:
Weak a*s cracker; who in the h**l are you calling an idiot? You can’t debate with my son, let alone debate with me…YOU r****d HONKEY!!!!
DEBATE WITH THAT, a*****e!!!
It’s not the President’s job to address your issues because your nothing but a voter….a black one at that. Just try not to get gunned down before you vote for him. After you vote for him, oh well. The same goes for all your elected representatives that don’t represent you. Vote for the democrats and stfu. You’re not supposed to ask for anything in return for your vote. Who do you think you are?lol
You know when I see people like Maria Llord use the death of a young black man to help their own causes sickens me. We have so many gun laws in this city right now, but who does they help Surely not Mr. Stroger, because the gunman did not buy his gun legal somore gun laws would not help most killings because guns used in gang kiilling are from illegal sources, so please get off the bandish the gun bandwagon. Because when you live in one of these bad west side areas as i do, you need a gun in your home or you will become a victim People in these bad areas can not depend on the police like in better areas
@Wallace
“when I see people like Maria Llord use the death of a young black man to help their own causes sickens me”
If you’re referring to my “cause” as me putting fire under politicians and the black community to get our kids the protection they need from crazed gun owners, then that’s a cause I’m excited to support and advocate.
What is your solution? I don’t want to hear anymore “this ain’t gon’ do nothing” rhetoric. I want solutions.
Maria Lloyd,
I can agree with some of Wallace’s points,but not with all of them.I can agree to the fact that stricter gun laws will not deter the criminals from getting guns on the streets.
Your cause is a just one and I agree to a point with you also. Stricter gun laws won’t work because the crazed gun owners in which you speak are not actually gun owners,but the very criminals that plague our streets causing death and destruction.
During an election year,this issue is pretty much a dead issue because no politician wants to touch it out of fear of loosing an election. Its important to do all we can to keep guns off the street and out of the hands of children and criminals.
Trying to banish gun and take away guns from law abiding citizen won’t happen neither.
Owning a gun isn’t a bad thing for those who follow the laws and use common sense when using them.
I don’t know how familiar you are with New York City,but there is a cop arrested and on trail for stealing guns from fellow officers and selling them in the minority neighborhoods where he worked to settle a drug debt he had with a drug dealer.
Then there are 12 NYPD Officers who are on trail for gun running,drug trafficking and trafficking cigarettes also.
This kind of behavior is going on all over the country with law enforcement. These people are supposed to protect us,but some of them decide to hurt our communities more than help them.
So always bare in mind that the same government that we look to for help,is the same government that put this poison and guns in the wrong hands.
I would believe that no one wants to get shot or killed by some criminal on the streets or by anyone for that matter. But until we have an effective method of taking guns from the wrong hands,there will be useless gun violence in this world.
I own a gun and I follow the laws that are in place in order for me to legally own my gun. Those laws that I follow are the same laws that the criminals laugh at and kill our own people with.
I can’t say I have a solution at this very moment and I wish I really did,but I can guarantee that stricter gun laws are not the solution.
None of these things are happening in the white neighborhoods.
I guess we should ask ourselves Maria why are our children killing each other. What do you want the politicans to do. Those black children were killed by black criminals, those guns no doubt are stolen another crime so lets call it what it is a failure of the black community to control their own murdering black gang banging children.
Min Farrakhan said it best, “Obama was ‘selected.” He was not selected to care about a black agenda. Black on black crime, black unemployment, prison, black empowerment, etc is not on Obama’s agenda, sadly. Mainstream amerca could care less about what black america needs. Minister Farrakhan is a prophet plain and simple.
If I understand correctly most of the shootings are not done by legal gun owners, these shootings are occurring from nonlegal owners. Banning guns is not going to stop the shooting. If we really want to make a mark, we have to go after the parents of these kids that are supplying a place for these kids to live. Believe it or not the kids in the neighborhood that are the worse, their parents know this and use the excuse “I can’t do anything with him/her”. I say we start holding these parents accountable for their children destructive actions. I feel real sad about so many of our youngsters are being killed off before they can make an impression on the world, but banning guns is not going to stop the shootings.
I was so sadden when I read this story. To have a 4 year old and 11 year watch their oldest brother die right before their eyes is a nightmare. And to add to such a nightmare, the mother was there to see it while she pleaded for him to hold onto his life fleeing from him. Sighs, the only solutions I can honestly think of is for black Americans to take our streets back from those who hijack it with terror and brutality – this goes for police brutality as well. It is in our hands. Politicans don’t give a d**n about us. As one sarcastic, ignorant poster said above when you are a black voter that makes you less relevant. I don’t know what it will take for black people to collectively come together as a community and fight for our lives and our children’s lives. I’m sick of reading these stories and at the same time I find myself becoming numb to it. My only solution is for us to simply mobilize against this violence.
Maria, good article. Its amazing how our community blindly supports our so called leaders who don’t give a F about us.
What’s the point of having a black president if he doesn’t address any of the issues that plagues our communities??
We have it worst than any other demographic country.
Do you think if we had a Hispanic president, he wouldn’t address the issues that Hispanics face ???
HOW COME WE DONT HAVE BLACK LOBBYISTS TO LOBBY FOR OUR ISSUES?
EVERYONE ELSE DOES!!!
A few reasons why mainstream doesn’t care about us are displayed in these comments. 1. We attack, kill, disrespect and belittle eachother. It’s sad when there is a bigger issueat hand and all we do is tear one another down when one triesto stand up say something.
Also like it was stated that guns are purchased illegal…but when the violence takes placein broad day light, in crowded areas etc. Why all of a sudden do people lose ALL of their God given senses? In orderfor us to be saved we need to help ourselves from stop being silent. Having more respect for eachother and closethe generation gap. Reachout to the generation beneath you. We need to come together PERIOD.
WTF are BLACK PEOPLE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS!!!
It’s not the Obama’s job to hold all ya’ll hands!
Stop relying on other people to fix this!
No wonder people don’t take black people so seriously!
For starters, your problem is not with gun control, since none of the shooters were legal, registered gun owners. Your problem seems to be with the failure of law enforcement to break the back of criminal organizations that turn your community into a shooting gallery. Either you need a stronger police presence, you you all need to start handling things yourselves. Clearly the crooks aren’t afraid of shooting in your neighborhood, nor are they worried about the cops. More gun control laws won’t help you though, in fact, not even an outright ban would solve this problem, because the criminals will find a way to get around the law.
The real issue is policing combat the illegal gun trade.
When GUNS are criminalized, only CRIMINALS will have guns, GUNS don’t kill people, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. IF a person would want to injure or kill many people, all they would need to do is get in their car or truck and wait for a school to dismiss and driver through the crowd of children, and that person would’nt have to be a good shot. Then what, make cars illegal?,,,What is wrong in America is that too much violence is shown on TV and many have become dull to the reality of DEATH. Also the persons that are convicted of GUN crimes should be punished DAILY WHILE IN PRISON, not housed in prison to set and watch cable TV. The convicts go to JAIL but not punished daily. Thanks for reading my opinion, this applies to BLACKS and WHITES
So I suppose you want be voting for Mr. Obama this time he has spoken out on gun control the massacre that happen in Aurora Colorada was one example.He is the president not Congress it is up to them to pass legislature on Gun control and even if they did pass a law thugs will always find a way of getting their hands on a gun and continue killing innocent people.And if you are so outrage you can always write the president and express your concerns or talk too your State or U.S. Senator or your local reprensenative.We can talk and get mad all day about these senseless murders but it starts at home if parents don’t have their children under control and teach right from wrong we will continue reading about these innocent children being mowed down for no reason in the prime of their lives (talk is cheap) put your anger into actions writting about it does nothing.
If there is to be change? We in the Black Community must endeavor to change it. Many us live in, Terror! We have bars on the doors and windows. Our children cannot go to school in peace. It is like! Well this is just the norm. There is nothing we can do about it. Welll that is not true. We need open forums to discuss and discover the answers. Forget, about whether or not we are going to obtain any resources from State and local government (although it would be much appreciated).
What would Dr. King do? He would go directly to the source of the problem. The gang members, the drug dealers the penal system.
This violence we are experiencing is a mentality problem. It will not be corrected unless there is a legitimate change in how we as citizens of the Black Community view one another. We have to have honor and respect for human life. Let the church turn on it’s River Of Life through the courage of Christ Jesus. No child left behind.
There were two Black men who said President Obama should be held accountable to address our issues for the votes we as a entire race gave him. needless to say those two Black men were kicked out of the black race for saying the President should address our issues–Travis Smiley, Cornel West; We wanted a DJ and a Comedian to speak for us..
Thank you Maria and others, we should be up in arms about what is happening in our communities among our young people, especially males. Please start a petition of signatures to let the White House and every other house in America know that we refuse to sit in silence any longer while genocide is taking place in the presence of all eyes watching. For anyone who will organize a march, a sit-in or whatever, please include me, I am available to assist in any capacity needed. No more time to talk about it, we gotta be about it….bottomline!!!!!
This article is stupid blacks kill blacks not the klan or skin heads but us every black man I know who was murdered was murdered by another black man. Gun control are you serious the people who are killing our kids aren’t legal gun owners they are thugs and criminals with no respect for human life.
70% out of wedlock births generations raised on food stamps and govt cheese whose fault is that the man? Every black person reading this knows I’m right think bout that white boys don’t f**k with me it’s the young blacks with the attitude and the mouth
go to above link to sign petition on change.org
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-obama-and-romney-where-s-your-plan-to-end-gun-violence
@L Wideman:
Thank you very much! I will add this to the article.
The question I have is how many of you who took time out of your day to comment actually help your said communities? How many of you all volunteer for neighborhood watch, Big Brother or Big Sister, or any type of mentorship at all? It’s easy to pass blame and address issues, but the hard part is to have the courage to fix it. See a problem be a part of the solution not the problem. Hold these sorry black males having babies and leaving the child and mother to fend for themselves! Be a role model to our youth. If you only change one persons life for the positive then you have done your part if not your as much of the problem.
Fact: gun control does very little in situations where the guns purchased are through illegal means. Fact: the same gun control which applies to cities like Chicago, Washington, DC, and New Orleans, apply to the suburbs of those cities, with different results. No politician is going to step into the gun control trap. I own and shoot several guns for sport, and I see no reason I should not be allowed to do that because we have cities which have turned into cesspools of crimes committed by ignorant, low self esteemed young men who probably should have been aborted in the first place.
Here here
I agree with you on your many points.I am from New York and the same problem exists all over the country in minority neighborhoods where ever you go in America.
I agree that more restrictive gun control measures doesn’t do anything by enable the criminals and takes away the rights of law abiding citizens
I am also a recreational shooter as well and I agree with you point of view on why should we have our freedom to do what we enjoy taken away because of as you say it-ignorant, low life,classless,low self esteem hoodlums(because they are not young men.Young men know how to conduct themselves)pieces of garbage.
It’s won’t NOT want…. Teach your kids about GOODNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.. TEACH them that life is precious… Let them know which kind of friends and ppl they should interact with… Take the NONSENSE music off… Stop them from watching DUMB s$&t on t.v…. If they say they like an IGNORANT spitting rapper.. Ask why… Make sure they understand whats real and whats entertainment… School them by having them watch EDUCATIONAL t.v. NOT BULLs$&t… Take them OUT OF THIS COUNTRY so they can realize how precious life is… Not to take things for granted…. Stop ALLOWING BS TO ENTER YOUR HOME… GIVE THEM THE BOO GAME to deter them from going astray…. BRING SCARED STRAIGHT BACK!… Take them to the city morgue… These GHETTO RAISED KIDS have no fear….NO SOULS……#endofdays… GET BACK TO RAISING THEM AND SHOWING THEM LOVE… Let your black young men know ahead of time.. SOCIETY ALREADY IS AGAINST YOU, REMOVE YOURSELF FROM IGNORANT PPL!…
I’m done something about it. I personally founded the vic-ki foundation inc (violence isn’t cool-knowledge is) a non-profit that addresses any and all forms of youth violence in my area “Middle Georgia”– gangs/ guns/ bullying/ females in abusive relationships. I’m not a movie star, professional athlete or singer nor do I have a large organization sponsoring my foundation. I just have me with volunteers trying to put on programs to stop the killing of our youth. http://www.vickifoundation.org. I learned long ago that President obama is just another politician
kudos to you, Charles. We need more people like you. I don’t think Obama is just another politician. A politician for sure. You don’t get to be President without being one. However, he was elected to serve the whole country, which happens to include whites. I don’t see anyone else doing any better. The problem with black on black crime will never be solved from the outside. It is people like you, multiplied one thousand fold, who will save our race. Otherwise, we are doomed.
Some of these comments indicate that some people have lot their minds. No one is to be blamed for the killing but the sorry people who brought these murders into the world. It is extremely sad when you expect a president, no matter who he is, to come into your home and be the parents that you should be. where did they get the money to buy the guns in the frist place? Put the blame where it belongs and see if things will change.
Why are you guys asking the politicians to come into your homes and raise your children? Why are you guys not addressing the thousands of African American young men who are enrolling in colleges yearly? Have you ever asked youself why they are not killing each other? I have three sons and there is no way I would allow them to carry guns, rob or steal. As a matter of fact, they are sadden to hear of so many young men shooting/killing each other. I mentor several young men. It’s amazing what progress they are making. Look within and stop the blame game. Your sons are watching you and will bring kids into the world and raise them up to be like you. What a shame. Take the guns out of their hands and put a book there instead. Keep your hands off those slot machines and c**p tables. Spend time with you children.
To all those who feel as though it’s their duty to highlight the awful killings of African Americans by African Americans-it appears to me that it’s more acceptable to criticize the MENTALLY ILL, under educated,unemployed,disenfranchised, totally hated ( by those who owns everything worthwhile owning),and who are prayed on when their shot and killed for their hearts, kidneys,and other vital body parts that are sought after by the very same Folk who deem them as being the so called Scum
of the earth.
The comments that are shared are from the best problem solvers that are qualified to contribute to the stability of a Mentally disturbed People who happen to be of Color.
AFRICAN-AMERICANS NEED TO KNOW THE GOVT., POLICE, POLITICIANS ETC., CANNOT STOP YOUR CHILD FROM GETTING KILLED. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A PARENT TO RAISE YOUR CHILD, PROTECT YOUR CHILD AND PROVIDE SAFETY FOR YOUR CHILD. MOST AA CHILDREN ARE NOT TAUGHT BASIC SURVIVAL SKILLS IN THE HOME AND THEY ARE ALLOWED TO HANG IN BAD IMMORAL COMPANY.
AA CHILDREN ARE BEING HARVESTED, THEY ARE A MONEY MAKING PROFIT AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DIE.
AN AA CHILD IS KILLED, BODY TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, ORGANS, BONES ETC. HARVESTED AND CHILD BURIED. THIS IS NOW REALITY.
Elizabeth, you are right about organ donors amongst AA teens, what happened to the gun buy back program?
Well if blacks continue to kill each other they’ll destroy their own race.