Philadelphia looks good on the outside but not the inside

Rashan Hembry

January 25, 2022


Across philadelphia gun violence seems likes it continues to rise every single day. SInce 2015 there has been 10,000 deaths due to homicides in Philadelphia and about 80% of these deaths are black males. The black children and teen who live live in Philadelphia on make up 14% of its children and teens populations but 43% of it the deaths of them are black children and teens Most of the violence is just senseless violence and it mostly is the teenagers who are either killed or doing the killing. Tanley Crawford from an organization centered around gun violence has a lot to speak on this subject.


With the outbreak of covid and quarantine, that could possibly affect the amount of violence and homicides that are in Philly. Possibly in a positive way or have a huge negative effect.


“But for the people who are doing the murder and the shooting ,people had no interest in the COVID but those of us who may be a little bit older but the people who are participating in these crimes , they had no interest in the COVID”. Tanley Crawford had said



We as citizens don't hold as much power as the people in the government , if something is to change it all starts with the government actions and how they plan to possibly stop or slow down these mass amounts of homicides.



"Part of it is because they are at odds with each other. You can't be arguing with each other but people are gonna put your arguments aside if disagreements aside and then you have your politics aside. And you have to do things because we are the citizens of Philadelphia. Yeah,. And the thing is if people are not getting arrested, don't you think that holding those people to participate in this type of violence because there's no consequences?



Since the government is able to do what needs to be done to be able to fix this issue then what can we as people do to be able to make some type of change in any way.



Tanley crawford speaks on this.“One thing that like the organization that I'm with , I believe we just have to get into a room with the government of government officials and do a insight and then let's work together to come up with a comprehensive plan. That could have the potential of reducing or stopping this violence. Without us the people who are participating in this violence got the upper hand “



There are many possible solutions that can be put into play and we just have to be able to find a way to incorporate them into our society so that we won't live our lives in fear. Now how and when are the main questions we need to answer to be able to make that change.



"We need to have a cushion in those areas of the city that's easily done, so we can stop these guys shooting and killing people and also commend the National Guard's come in. We chose these hot spots so far because stopped using this fuse that they undermanned if you undermanned and you don't have the ability."


Curfews could be another strong solution to help cut down some of the murders and homicides , it might not do as much as it could do because people will stll go out regardless of curfews but it will atleast stop something. At times like this in my opinion we arent really ready for curfews and it probably won't even change anything to be completely honest.


"Philosophical thought when people are being murdered and nobody is doing anything to permit them for murdering philosophical thought goes out the window in my spirit, but if they can protect that prevent some loved one from being murdered, and we don't know we don't try and we allow it, the murderers to have you can't wait"



Everyone in Philadelphia wants the same thing and that thing is to be able to live your life without murders or deaths all around making you fear for yourself , your family and friends on how we can get home and back safely everyday. Its no reason why we should have to tell the people we love and care about every day to “be safe” or anything like that cause you never know if that's your last time talking to them or not.


"I'm talking my standard he's not just coming in and we really need to put it up please department saying he came unwilling to do it, but we need some help.So I don't know man. You know, I tell people if you if you ask me a question and I'm not looking for approval for whatever, but I know what it feels like to have a loved one who you lost due to gun violence."