I am out of the state and a little disconnected from the Philly world for a while. But, I want to just say that my thoughts go out to the family of former Mayor Wilson Goode, and current City Councilman and long-time YPP blogger, Wilson Goode, Jr., as they deal with the tragedy that has befallen too many Philadelphia families: losing a young man to gun violence.
For those who don't know, the grandnephew of the former Mayor was killed by police gunfire last week. The whole thing was on video tape, so there may be some clues as to whether the police officers were justified in their shooting. In the meantime, the former Mayor has asked for calm:
"There's a half-dozen versions of events out there, and that's why everyone needs to wait until the investigation is complete and witnesses are interviewed and the film is reviewed," said the former mayor, now a Baptist minister.
"The mayor has promised he will do that, and I have confidence he will."
I am not interested in speculating about the death of someone. Bottom line is that another Philadelphia family is mourning the loss of their child. I know I speak for everyone out there, when we wish our condolences to the Goode family.
Was there video?
According to Ch. 3 news # @ 4:00, the closest camera to the incident was not able to capture a shot of precisely what happened.
Of course, take all 'it bleeds, it leads' local news w/a salt lick,
-Z
According to the article,
According to the article, yes, as well as lots of eye witnesses. The truth will hopefully emerge, and, we can discuss the particulars of the policy implications of all of this (police shootings, jails, drugs, guns).
But, mainly, I would like to save that for another post, and just focus on the fact that yet another Philadelphia family-one that we all know on one level or another- has lost a young man.
Happened a few blocks from my office
I pretty much drive by that corner everyday on my commute. Still formulating my thoughts.
Dan is right that it is sobering that the YPP community has been struck twice by the violence gripping Philadelphia.
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Think of it
Those of us who know someone with a family member or friend cut down by violence in the city know the horrible pain these events cause so many people.
Now think of that happening to our fellow citizens, once or twice a day, every day, every month, every year.
I try to keep that in mind, every time I read about murder rates going up or down by a blip. Or when I hear people talk about who has been shot and killed.
To family members and friends, innocence and guilt are mostly irrelevant. Grief and pain afflict the innocent and the guilty alike.
We are all wrapped up in this farrago of despair.
Condolences To The Goode Family And Friends
I join in sending condolences to Councilman Goode, Mayor Goode, and other members and friends of the Goode family.
I agree that it is sobering that two members of the YPP community have suffered from criminal physical attacks on family members. These--and the murder of the son of Rep. John Myers--are among the crimes that demonstrate that the murders and attempted murders in Philadelphia are not just limited to families of anyone neighborhood, income strata, or social class.
Someday, murders will hopefully be as rare as duels over one's honor are today. Someday, I would hope that Philadelphians would read headlines like "First Murder In Two Decades Shocks City."
It is encouraging that crimes against spouses are far less frequent than they were 40 years ago, that sexual crimes that were once covered up are now actively exposed and prosecuted, that many places are seeing greatly reduced crime from what they once saw.
Hopefully, eventually the consciences of enough people will be shocked that the tragedies which now befall all too many families will not occur. In the meantime, affirming the humanity and the value of lost lives moves us a little closer to the day when the daily tragedies do not occur.