MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Amid the illness and death caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Memphians must not lose sight of an equally sinister plague in our community – deadly gun violence.
With so much attention being paid to COVID-19, most people might be surprised by the record number of homicides in Memphis this year. At the moment, we are past 270 homicides – shattering the previous record of 228 for all of 2016. With nearly seven weeks remaining in 2020, there is a grim likelihood that we could reach 300 homicides.
The encouraging news is that people are rising up and saying enough is enough. This weekend, some 500 people took part in a Unity Walk against Gun Violence that stretched for about two miles through downtown and the medical district. On hand were elected officials, community activists and others who wanted to make a statement that the deadly violence must end.
Unfortunately, the solutions are few and far between. But elected leaders are open to all plausible suggestions. We’ve known for years that violence results from poverty and a lack of education. This year, the pandemic has added to the stress and strain.
And yet, we must not surrender. We cannot allow our city to be overrun by thoughtless individuals who believe using a gun is the answer to their problems. A Unity Walk is great - it shows we care. Now, we must put the caring into action. And that’s my point of view.