Here is my take on this. When my sister was murdered by her husband, I know there were many people that felt like it was her fault because she didn't leave the first time he beat her. How many of us have heard people say that about victims of domestic violence? She lived in a different state than the rest of my family and didn't confide in us about his violence. Neighbors often witnessed the abuse and called police, but the police would not remove him from the house unless my sister pressed charges. She never would. I know it's hard for many to understand her actions. Most of us feel we would tell the police to arrest him, we'd leave immediately, we'd call family...but none of us really know how we would act in that situation.
I'm so glad when I read that there are so many discussions online about the Hudson's horrible tragedy. It needs to be talked about. I'm discouraged though when too much of the conversation is about who's at fault instead of how can we prevent this.
I don't know if any of you have read that a woman was killed in the same neighborhood the weekend before the car was found. 11 children have been killed in Chicago this year from violence. AND just last night a 36 year old man was shot twice and left dead in the same Englewood neighborhood. I'm sure people heard those shots too, but I'm also sure, once again, no one picked up the phone. "Gunshots are normal here."
What's needed here isn't a blame game. What's needed here is a solution. I have read that the sisters have started a fund for victims of violence--that's a wonderful thing to do. I had just hoped they would start a fund to educate their community about how to protect their streets. I can't believe I haven't read anything from anyone--government, LE, family, neighbors about that. There is a great opportunity here to start changing things on those streets. I feel this would be the perfect time to get LE, government--everyone together to come up with a real plan. I know it seems like an overwhelming problem to take on, but if someone doesn't start, the problem will continue to grow. I live about an hour away from Orlando--trust me, I know it will keep growing.
When my sister was killed, I suddenly became aware of the problems with domestic violence. I discovered the same laws applied in my community that applied where my sister lived. It was up to the victim to press charges against her or his abuser. When I was asked to speak about my family's loss, although it was very hard to talk about, I did it because I wanted the laws changed so the police could make an arrest if they saw signs of abuse. Since then even more laws and legislation have passed to help victims of domestic violence.
I don't mean to stand on my soapbox, but I just feel people have to start taking some action. I just hate to think that in a few weeks from now things will be back to "normal" on Yale Street and drugs, gangs and violence will once again be just a regular part of everyday life. I would like to hear somebody say enough is enough!
