Lost to gun violence
By TQ BONNER
Portsmouth, Virginia, so many young Souls Lost to gun violence.
The pain of loss, especially when a parent outlives their child, defies the natural order of life, leaving an indelible mark on the soul. It is a burden no parent should ever bear, a wound that time alone cannot heal.
It’s a cycle that seems relentless, as though our community is trapped in an unending loop of senseless violence and untold sorrow. Each time a young soul is tragically taken from us, we rally together in mourning, donning rest in peace t-shirts, marching for awareness, cries for change.
Yet, the cycle repeated itself like a cruel and unrelenting loop.
Now, in Portsmouth, the narrative remains unchanged. In a mere two months, multiple young men have fallen victim to senseless violence. Our community is trapped in a vicious cycle that demands accountability and a willingness to confront the harsh truths that have long been whispered but never indeed addressed.
As I sit at home, watching my children laugh and play, their innocence a stark contrast to the realities that haunt our streets, I cannot fathom the depth of pain a parent must endure when their child’s life is snatched away by violence or social media feuds. The mere thought of losing one of my own to such tragedies is a burden too heavy to bear.
It is with this profound empathy that I stand before you today, representing the Friends of the Portsmouth Juvenile Court and the Act Now initiative, partnering with 757 Stop the Violence to honor the mothers in Portsmouth and across the 757 who have lost their children to gun and gang violence.
In the presence of these resilient souls, I will draw upon every ounce of strength within me to offer solace and support, to lend a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. Though my heart may ache with their sorrow, I am determined to stand as a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest times, we are never truly alone.
We will break bread together, share in their stories, and hold space for their pain, knowing that their grief is a testament to the profound love they hold for the children they have lost. As I prepare to sit in their presence, I find myself at a loss for words, knowing that all my strength and resolve will be tested as I confront the sorrow etched upon their faces, the pain they carry within.
Some might suggest that we should not treat these mothers differently, but as a parent who has cradled each of my children as infants and lulled them to sleep upon my chest while my wife rested, I cannot deny the sorrow that will inevitably fill my heart. Yet, for these remarkable women, I will summon every ounce of my fortitude, gathering strength from their resilience and listening intently to their stories, honoring the souls they have lost.
At this moment, my words may falter, but my commitment to amplifying their voices, bearing witness to their grief, and honoring the lives that were taken too soon will remain unwavering. For in their pain, we find the courage to break the cycle, to demand accountability, and to forge a path toward healing and reconciliation.
