by Rob Taylor Jr., Courier Staff Writer
What do you think could be done to change the violence in your neighborhood? What kind of plan would you develop to stop violence in your community?
Those were the two questions local youth were asked to answer for an essay contest recently sponsored by the Pittsburgh chapter of Black Women for Positive Change.
Violence in communities is a topic that’s necessary to tackle. The New Pittsburgh Courier, for more than a decade, has “aired the community’s dirty laundry,” so to speak, by placing on its front page a running total each month of how many Black lives were lost in Allegheny County due to homicide. The Courier has consistently advocated for violence to cease, but particularly in Black communities in Pittsburgh and neighboring areas.
In a release sent to the Courier by Maureen Anderson, with Black Women for Positive Change, “Many of the (essay contest) participants shared firsthand experiences of the loss of a loved one or the fear they carry with them after having a ‘close call’ with gun violence,” she said. “These insightful writers consistently honed in on the painful truth that this has been the norm for everyone they know for as long as they have been alive, and questioned why, over the generations, have the adults, both in their community or in positions of power, not taken the steps necessary to keep them safe.”
Richard M. Carrington Sr., executive director of Voices Against Violence and a veteran with more than 30 years of experience in street-level gang and violence intervention, said that the essays from the students “cut right to the heart,” in the press release. “I work daily with the repercussions of violence, the senseless loss of life and potential, and these young people are absolutely right. We aren’t doing enough to ensure they are safe and give them the promise of a brighter future. As communities and leaders, we can do more. It is a matter of life and death for our children.”
Srilekha Sapram, a 17-year-old junior at Gateway High School, won first-place in the competition. Her essay analyzed violence not just at a community level, but also nationally and globally. Her essay addressed racism and stressors like social media, and she noted the need for improvements in education and access to and acceptance of mental health care. Tkai Ekunfeo, a freshman at South Allegheny High School, was awarded second-place and attends South Allegheny High School as a fourteen-year-old freshman. Ekunfeo’s essay essay focused on the need to “refurbish” distressed areas; mindfully select, train, and assign police officers; and for youth “anti-violence” programs. Central Catholic High School freshman Aiden Nicholas took home third-place honors. In his essay, he proposed creating a new organization, called ZEAL, which would not only cultivate a stronger sense of community but also provide forums for the discussion of issues and concerns.
Honorable Mention was awarded to Darryl Strong, a 12-year-old seventh grader at Manchester Academic Charter School, who advocated for youth activism in reaching out to people with power to discuss violence, gun laws, availability of drug treatment options, and fair wages, according to the news release.
Diane Powell, Co-Chair of the Pittsburgh chapter of Black Women for Positive Change and creator of the essay contest, said that it was “important to seek the student voice when addressing concerns in their community. I am incredibly pleased with the responses from the participants, touched by their stories, and impressed by their practical suggestions. Violence prevention is a thankless task, but it is literally about protecting lives. As caring adults, we not only need to listen but also take action to make communities safer for our children.”
(ABOUT THE TOP PHOTO: STRONG, a seventh-grade student at Manchester Academic Charter School, won honorable mention in an essay contest sponsored by Black Women for Positive Change. He’s pictured with Carla Knight, left, a MACS teacher, and Phylissa Thomas, MACS middle school principal.)
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