Leah Lara-Chiraq

       Over the past week, a spotlight has been put over Chicago and it's staggering homicide rate that continues to rise. Gang violence and  highly available guns are leading to more shootings than any other major U.S. city. A recent report shows that this year has been the deadliest year in Chicago since 1996. This year to date: there has been a total of 2500 shootings, and 502 homicides. Shooting and crime occur in the most segregated areas of the city; neighborhoods that are pledged with poverty. 12% of the black population is in a census block that is 100% black. Even so, the Chicago police force is overwhelmed, leaving citizens to fend for themselves.

   The shooting problem in Chicago has always been evident- but always gets pushed to the back of people's minds. Every year it makes headlines in the news and then quietly subsides. Even with the people of Chicago crying out, with protests, press conferences, and even the weekend body count- Chicago officials continue to let the problem exist. They make no effort to desegregate poor- illiterate Chicago neighborhoods, and are even less willing to change gun laws.   In the 1970's,the minority neighborhoods of Bronx were filled with turf wars, gang violence, and the smell of burning building falling to the ground. Because these were the minority communities, Bronx officials and the rest of the country turned a blind eye and let their fellow country men raise their children in rubble. The shooting in Chicago have already been acknowledged. Now there there needs to be a legitimate step towards a solution.  

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/18/us/chicago-murder-problem.html?_r=0