Rain or Sun, Homicide Victims
are remembered

We had four prayer vigils for Milwaukee homicide victims this week, two on Thursday, two on Friday, all were African American young adult males. At the two on Thursday umbrellas were used to block the hot sun. At the two on Friday umbrellas were used to block the rain that was falling. Sister Rose, the MICAH community leader, who organizes the prayer vigils, carries umbrellas in the truck of her car, for sun or rain.

It is by no accident that African American young adult males have the highest unemployment rate and the highest homicide rate. At one of the vigils a participant prayed to God for forgiveness for creating an environment with no jobs but one easy to get killed for the young men in these neighborhoods. When one of these young men is killed the media barely mentions it and with the police is ready to mention if the victim had a criminal record. If the victim knew the killer, as is true in most homicides, the media and police are quick to mention it if the victim is African Americans.

We pray and remember, often with family members, the too many homicide victims in Milwaukee, rain or sun. But how do we change the environment in the central cities that in rain or shine more young men are employed and not homicide victims?

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