Comments on: 36 Children of Color Dead in Chicago

By: Ralyn

Ralyn — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:48:52 +0000

While I agree the exclusion of media coverage is wrong and the death of these children is horrible – I totally disagree that it’s about color and more about location. I live in Illinois, while not Chicago I have lived in areas that were near, there just isn’t the racial issues going on that people keep trying to say happen. I’m so sick of hearing the race card played over and over again in attempts to divide us – we are all human, stop it. Had the author paid attention to the location and the fact the crimes that are being ignored were mostly in ghetto areas instead of blind racial incitement this would have been a great article.

By: REALIST

REALIST — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:00:31 +0000

The reality is Blacks need to deal with there testosterone levels which lead to higher levels of impulsivitey. This is causing increase violent crimes, increase pregnancy’s, lower intelligence. It must be addressed. How long does the black community need assistance from the rest of america. Its not up to government to cure community ills its up to the community themselves. People keep asking the teachers to be held accountable, yet the parents are more to blame. Also, what about the churches. There are so many dam churches and this violence continues. Many communities have risen above their struggles yet the black community continues to struggle. Why because they have higher levels of testosterone and people are blaming the white man and the lack of financial support when this has nothing to do with it

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:35:57 +0000

Not only is white victimhood given preference in the media, but the criminalization of Black and Brown men is over sensationalized!

By: fabian

fabian — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:16:38 +0000

hey sorry for the question but does anybody have a picture of marcus washington.or know were i can get one. it for a good cause my club im in my high school is making a like a altar for all the 36 kids that died and i need a picture?nailea_9999@hotnmail.com

By: Tracy

Tracy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:53:19 +0000

I have been on the internet for hours reading about the murders of youg black kids and it just saddens me. I just don’t dont understand it. I stated by googling Derrion Albert and then other stories started coming to my attention, Eric Morse, Ben Wilson, Rober Sandifer, Alex Arellano and the list goes on. Derrion’s murder seem so real because you can see him being beat and stomped to death. It’s alway sad when a child is murdered, whether they are black or white, but you are RIGHT! Black children for some reason, seem to slip through the cracks, as if there life is not as important. My heart is just aching and I am deeply saddened for all the family and friends involved…..especially when it is kids killing kids!!!!!

By: Rochelle

Rochelle — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:34:05 +0000

I find this quite interesting… I watch Nancy Grace quite often and all I would hear about is the Cayley Anthony Story (God Bless her) Yes, her story is sad and very tragic and my heart hurts for her and all the victimized children of the world, however there are no unfamiliar things in her case that makes it unique, giving it the national attention it has received. She is not the only child in the world who has been killed by the one person who was supposed to protect her. Children are killed everyday most of the time it’s by someone close to them; mothers and fathers are not excluded from reality. There was a story on Nancy Grace it was only on there one time. I can’t even remember the name of the child but it was of a black autistic child that had gone missing. I don’t even know what the outcome of the case was, was he found, is he alive, is he dead, do they have any suspects, witnesses, is they’re anything? Even the Hassani Campbell case hasn’t even been largely publicized (the missing child with cerebral palsy). However in part I will agree with Brenda, it is not unfamiliar for a black urban child, as innocent it may be, to be gunned down in a urban area and when it does happen, everyone is so much in fear of there own safety they do not speak up. When Christina Williams went missing in the area I’m from. It was national news, the FBI was even involved. Which was due to her having disappeared and her body being found dead on federal property. That happened in 1998 and it still talked about. Her killer was never found, even though the have a possible suspect in jail for a unrelated sexual assault case. Christina was Phillipino & White (still a minority). Where I’m from there has been 22 homicides in a city with a population of 150,000 all gang-related or mistaken identity. It is not uncommon to hear of another person, typically Hispanic, to be killed by gunfire, but it is uncommon to hear of child from this area (regardless of there race) going missing and being found dead. In urban cities with a large population the police are investigating murders, prostitution, rapes, assaults, drugs etc. Those things should be taken into consideration too. If the community in those areas speak up and help law enforcers catch these suspects then I’m sure more of these tragic murder cases would be solved. I know I probably sound contradictive but you have to look at things from two different perspectives. I do believe that the writer has some valid points but there are other things to consider before making any determinations of racism. For example of reverse-racism. A white kid gets beat up for dating a black girl; the community turns there head the other way. The father of the victim had to push the detectives do even charge the suspects with a hate crime, however if that was a black kid getting beat up for dating a white girl there would be protests, Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would be all involved and so would the NAACP. The president would have to address it and it would be a media frenzy. That’s where the problem lies; everyone is so hung up on race. We as people have overcome so much. There is always going to be racism we can’t control the way someone feels about a particular race Sometimes we do need to look outside the box something’s are not always as they seem. In case anyone is wondering I am black if that should even matter.

By: La-Keya

La-Keya — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:12:34 +0000

I first just want to take the time to say that this article is not only much needed, but serves as an undeniable proof of the injustices/small & stereotypical mindsets that STILL exist in the hearts and minds of people in this country. Dan and Brenda are examples this truth as well. Dan builds his argument stating that his “priority” in terms of the subject matter that is presented is WHO IS KILLING WHO, rather than WHO IS BEING KILLED, which are BEAUTIFUL AND INNOCENT CHILDREN. Yes, we all have taken notice to the media attention and statistics pertaining to gang activity in Chicago. However when a child’s life is lost there should be no other concern aside from that of preventing it again; and yes DAN, if the white media, which, sadly, is the dominant form of media in this land continues to REFUSE to tell each and every one of these stories it makes them just as responsible as the community members who refuse to speak up in the community. IT TAKES A VILLAGE. This is the truth and I hope that this sets you free DAN. I also hope that this awakens something in you, as a citizen of the country, to DO SOMETHING.

Brenda, in all honesty your perspective scares and sickens me. In terms of the president allowing his city to “fall to ruins”, take some time to read some of his books. He garnered support for his grass-roots campaign through his tireless involvement with the community and their issues, which at times included issues just like this one here. In terms of the “severity” of the crimes as you mentioned, there should be NO GAUGE of severity when anybody, especially a CHILD has lost their life. A life lost if just that, AND EVERY SINGLE STORY SHOULD BE TOLD WITH THE SAME INTENSITY AND OUTRAGE. Quite frankly, to say that these communities do not band together to raise RIGHTEOUS NOISE concerning these murders is outlandish and spoken from someone who has no idea what goes on in these communities. The people of these communities create vigils to mourn these heinous crimes, whether one of their children were “GUNNED DOWN” or otherwise. Even if the participation is few, they hold meetings, urging for members of the communities to take a stand with them and to come to resolutions that can possibly save another life. When they come together like this, there is no media coverage; there are no reporters that come to heed the issues of these communities. Phone calls to the news centers go unreturned, sending a message that yet another life lost is not worthy of the front page, or even of a reporter’s investigation. The stripping away of one’s rights as citizen is also not answer to a phenomena as complex as this, it takes these communities, their families, these news stations, the local, state and federal government, law enforcement and EVERYONE ELSE to make this right. POINTING FINGERS, DEFLECTING BLAME and making IGNORANT COMMENTS ABOUT SITUAITONS THAT ARE FOREIGN ONLY CREATE CHAOS AND A LOSS OF THE TRUE FOCUS. Which is that the country’s future is being murdered right before our very own eyes. Yes. Black, Hispanic, White, Asian, Any child losing their life is everyone’s issue, and everyone’s “chip” to bear.

By: brenda

brenda — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:24 +0000

I had read an article earlier about how many children had been killed in chicago so far this year. 36 plus. WOW! Its not even 6 months in yet. My next thought was my president if from there. If he let his city go like this wonder what he’s gonna do to my country???mmm While researching this information again since it had come up in a conversation recently. I was making sure what I had read was correct. I came across this article. Read it. My first thought, how racist this article was written. It is horrible when anything happens to children no matter what the situation. In the beginning of your article you talk about all the children who received major media attention. I don’t think it’s really so much about the color as it is about the crime itself. We are country that thrives on thrill,mystery,mayhem,and gory details. However, that still shouldn’t matter. But I just can’t help to see that there is nothing odd about anyone getting killed in crime ridden areas. It is on every news cast everyday “somebody got shot to day”. Its like an everyday routine.
What I can’t understand is WHY? when these crimes happen NO ONE SAW ANYTHING. Thats a bunch of crap. If no one can give any information how the HE** is the police suppose to catch these morons.??? Somebody has to speak up.
Since no one can seem to help. How about the police and government just get together. Start by blocking off areas one at a time. Then they rush every house, building, store and take control. Get the guns the drugs and anything else. Then every person is arrested and put on lock down in their home until the guilty have been found. How does that sound? cuz thats the only way they will be able to get info. OFF THE WALL. yeah maybe.
Then you’d be writing They only invaded the black and latin neighborhoods. It’s a double edged sword.
Something has to change and its not how many articles should have been written on the deaths of these 36 plus children. Who were so violently killed.
The other thing about this article. All of the crimes you mentioned none of them were gunned downed. They were horrific. And their families and communities got behind the story and pushed and helped any way they could to solve these crimes.
How many people from these communities, that lost a loved one, got out and did anything to bring attention to the situation. It shouldn’t take 36 deaths for someone to step up. It shouldn’t take hanging a flag upside down before the people to see there is a PROBLEM. And the federal government shouldn’t have to come in.
You may not like what i said but its how I see it. Just looking at some of the headlines on this page……
It’s sad really. Its sad that no matter what happens there will always be that “chip”. Yes I said that. Also, it takes people taking ownership of their own issues. Instead of placing blame everywhere but on themselves. You know responsibility….
I just read a quote from daily encouragements by Diasaku Ikeda. I think it relates somewhat. “It is important that youth in particular actively seek challenges to forge and strengthen themselves. Those who enjoy material luxury from a young age and do not work hard cannot become people of outstanding character. They cannot become great leaders who protect the people. I hope that you will work hard, sparing no effort, and develop yourselves as indomitable champions, shaken or disheartened by nothing.”Nam Myoho Renge kyo
If this goes through it’d be great to have some real dialog.

By: Sadie

Sadie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:06:17 +0000

Wow! I came across your site doing research for my thesis Missing children. I never knew this information ever exsisted until now. it is so sad, my paper is an argumentive one as to why the criteria for amber alerts should be changed, and is the media fair. I am so glad that I decided to click on , the site. it hurts my heart to read about our black children that go missing,and no one really gives a heck, until we make a stink.

the media should realize that our children are just as loved, and that they are just as important as the next set of children that are fair skinned, and blond haired and blue eyes.They deserve a Nancy Grace or an Quick Amber Alert!
Why do our missing children ,not get the same media as the Elizabeth Smarts and the Caylee Anthony’s.
Is the media and the Amber Alerts only seeing the color White? What about seeing children, who parents are frantic, scared and devastated to , even if our children’s skin is fair, brown, or mokha ,coffee black.
We carried them, for nine months, cried when they were born, cheered when they first walked, and thought that they were the most beautiful babies that were ever born. SHAME ON THE MEDIA! WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR CHILD? Nancy Grace does not deserve rateings , and neither does any other media that think that a Black Child is not important , when they go missing!

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:36:58 +0000

In the news recently, maybe online or on tv, I saw a headline about the flag turned upside down
and the 36 deaths of young people in Chicago. The news about 36 children dying got my
attention so I looked it up on google today. I dont live near any part of Chicago but I travel through
supposedly bad neighborhoods sometimes, I guess, with my car or on a bicycle. This was an
interesting article, but as it seems to happen, the deaths not getting enough media etc
attention in the recent past, may change now with more media possibly getting on board
to cover the story. I`ve read a few articles online about this now and seen the summaries on
google, and they cover the story. But when I went to find out about this, I didnt primarilly
care how much attention what murder stories, white or black, got from what media.
I wanted to know WHO (gangs, supposedly) is killing who and WHY? And how would
people, police or whoever, stop the violence? Not to be a wise guy, but I dont think
its white media killing people, although I`ve heard the expression that the truth
will set you free, so somehow getting down to where the real reason for the
desparation is could possibly enlighten people about what to do. I think I heard that
there are 100,000 gang members in Chicago. I guess I`m supposed to assume that
its all about gangs that have developed this way in some Chicago communities,
but I dont really know from the news reports directly who and why. So, I`m not
a writer or into this that much, but the gang phenonenon is getting my attention.
Anyway, I`m a quiet guy and I dont really want this message posted on your
webstie. I just wanted to know who and why.

By: Shanita

Shanita — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:09:10 +0000

Thank you for this article. I thought I was the only one noticing that night after night Nancy Grace talks about the same stories andthe same people again and again. I have been trying to figure out what makes certain children so special that they warrant our attention every night and there are hundrends of others who never receive a second thought….I am glad someone else is paying attention…