Vocaroo 08 May 2024 23_02_32 CDT 18GxQ8l0JRnu

Gun violence is a pressing issue in America that affects everyone. In 2019, there were over 39,000 gun-related deaths. The speaker shares a personal experience at a party where gang violence erupted, resulting in a friend being paralyzed. Gun violence has far-reaching effects on individuals, families, and communities, creating a cycle of trauma and fear. It also hinders economic development and perpetuates poverty. However, by breaking the silence and having open conversations, we can work towards a future without gun violence. Today we'll be exploring one of America's most pressing issues, gun violence. This is a topic that affects us all, whether we like it or not. Every day lives are lost, families are shattered, communities are left to pick up these pieces. This happens in our very own community at that. In this episode, we'll be delving into the complexities of gun violence, including physical, emotional, and societal damage. First, let's take a moment to reflect on the gravity of this issue. In 2019 alone, the U.S. saw over 39,000 gun-related deaths. This includes homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings. It's just absurd. And these are just numbers from one year. No need to highlight the other prominent years, huh? Anyway, so many different cases can happen in any way, honestly. For example, I have my own experience. To be honest, I have multiple, but I'm going to just stick to one. I was at a party. It was my friend's birthday, and someone we knew was involved in the gang violence showed up. We were in the backyard sitting on the outdoor furniture. We were chilling. We weren't worried about anything. You know, it was a calm party. The person was uneasy, so we told him to chill and just enjoy himself. He was kind of throwing off the vibe. A little while later, he says he saw someone walk past the gate. We just think he's tripping. We tell him to chill again. A second time, he goes over and checks. We go back to minding our business because in our mind, we don't have anything to worry about. But that was just the wrong thing. He starts sprinting towards the front gate. Simultaneously, bullets start flying, hitting the back windows. We all get up and run to the back door because luckily it was just out of range from the shooter. We get inside, go upstairs. As we're analyzing what happened, we realize, where's our friend? We look through the window, and we see her laying there. We thought she was faking. She wasn't. We saw the blood. Although she wasn't killed by the gunshot wound to her neck, she's now paralyzed from the neck down, all because of one person. Gun violence not only affects the individuals directly involved, but also their families and community. It creates a circle of trauma and fear, and it turns into a cycle. I think it's important to know the societal repercussions of gun violence, including economic barriers and community instability. I learned the op plays a significant role in perpetuating its effects. It's evident that gun violence hinders economic development, perpetuates poverty, and also stifles progress in one community that is thriving where people are constantly dying by guns. But there is hope. By breaking the silence and having open and honest conversations like I did, sharing experiences, we can create a world where individuals feel safe and empathize for other safety as well. We can work toward a future where gun violence is no longer a reality. Thank you for joining us on this journey of reflection and understanding. See you.