INVITATION:
This Sunday, October 27th, youth and elders of all ages are invited to participate in “Conversations about Gun Violence,” hosted by Queen Makedah.
Participants are invited to share their raw/heartfelt thoughts, concerns and questions about the impact of gun violence on their communities and around the world for consideration for spoken word parts on the upcoming album Peace Process - the remix of “Lay Down Your Guns.”
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 2019
TIMES (by age group):
- 10:00 a.m. for youth up to 12 years old
- 11:00 a.m. for teenagers and young adults up to 21 years
- 12:00 p.m. for adults and elders (mothers/fathers, sisters/brothers, aunts/uncles - all are welcome)
LOCATION:Zoom online platform - Meeting ID: 859 470 227
(details below)
BACKGROUND:
Yah word says we should “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves….’ and ‘Defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Pr. 31.8-9
In the United States, over 40,000 people lose their lives each year to gun violence. In fact, since 1968, more people have lost their lives to gun violence than in all the wars in U.S. history combined.
One of the largest groups impacted by gun violence is our most vulnerable population - our youth.
HOW DOES GUN VIOLENCE AFFECT OUR YOUTH?:
Did you know, in the U.S. on average:
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6,000 children receive medical treatment in an emergency room each year for a gun-related injury;
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19 children die or receive emergency room treatment every day for gunshot wounds;
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An average of 1,300 children die each year from gunshot wounds
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Of 23 high-income countries, 91% of children killed by firearms in 2010 were from the US, according to a study published in (American Journal of Medicine).
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Gun violence is the second-leading cause of death among children overall and the first-leading cause of death among African American children.
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African American children are 10 times more likely to be killed in a gun homicide than white children
SOURCE: https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/19/health/child-gun-violence-study/index.html
This phenomenon - unique to America - is identified as a public health crisis by the medical community - likened unto a horrific disease that causes pre-mature death, disabilities, fractures, lacerations, brain damage and lifelong psychological trauma for those children who survive injuries or lose parents or loved ones to this crisis.
GUN VIOLENCE AND BLACK MEN:
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African American men make up 52% of all gun homicide victims, yet compromise less than 7% of the US population.
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African Americans are 10 times more likely than white Americans to die by gun homicide, and 14 times more likely than white Americans to be injured in a gun assault.
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Within cities, gun violence is clustered among racially segregated, economically disenfranchised neighborhoods. For example, in Boston, 53% of the city’s gun violence occurs in less than 3% of the city’s intersections and streets.
SOURCE: https://lawcenter.giffords.org/facts/gun-violence-statistics/
Sadly, the government is controlled by the NRA gun corporations and have done little to nothing to curb this epidemic. In fact, Americans own more guns than any other ‘developed’ country in the world (4 of every 10 people own or have access to a gun), according to a 2017 Pew Center Study.
It is up to us to speak up about the issue of gun violence on behalf of the youth and all those impacted, in an effort to educate and motivate people to take action for peace. So all who donate their time and ideas to this discussion will partner with Queen Makedah in the effort to spread peace and healing through music.
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Participants (or their guardians if under 18) are asked to sign a permisions form giving permission for their selected comments to be used by the artist in audio/video production - in the event their comments for spoken word are selected. Follow/RSVP at FB event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/465345227411481/
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Selected participants will get their name listed in the album credits, a free autographed copy of the new album, and the first chance to be in the video taping of this song.
This event is hosted and sponsored by singer/songwriter Queen Makedah and Oriyah Music.
For more information visit www.queenmakedah.com or contact queenmakedah@gmail.com.
DONATE to the Peace Process album by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/peaceprocessalbum
To Join Zoom Meeting:
Click here https://zoom.us/j/859470227
Meeting ID: 859 470 227
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Meeting ID: 859 470 227
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