There's a stark difference between the support for Bank shooting victims and Chickasaw Park
On April 20th, the Community Foundation of Louisville invited Louisvillians to donate through four funds to help those coping with the trauma of gun violence. Donations will support the Old National Bank Survivors Fund, the Chickasaw Park Survivors Fund, nonprofits helping survivors and nonprofits reducing gun violence incidents. During the Foundation's announcement, I publicly stated that I questioned why Old National Bank, Chickasaw Park and several other homicides occurred during the week of April 10th. I believe it's a test to reveal who we really are as a community. How we invest our dollars determines our priorities. I'm anxiously awaiting how Louisville's values show up in our response.
Inequities in funding and media coverage are substantial
Thus far, only the Old National Bank Survivors Fund has seen significant investment. Inequities in funding and media coverage are substantial. The Old National Bank incident occurred in a well-resourced center of business. Many of the thirteen casualties were well-known and highly respected. The Chickasaw Park incident happened at a historically segregated public park in an underinvested community. The six casualties were only well-known by friends and family. A local television station interviewed me to discuss our Foundation's Love for Louisville Survivors Funds. I intentionally spoke about Chickasaw Park and Old National Bank casualties in every response. When the interview aired, the Chickasaw Park casualties had been erased.
What happens to Louisville if we continue to allow entire populations to be erased?
Lyndon Pryor, president, Louisville Urban League, said at a press conference on gun violence policy, "The stories we hear about survivors and perpetrators of gun violence impact how we respond. Stories showing survivors and perpetrators as humans with the capacity to love, care and contribute to society, inspire empathy and recognize underlying causes." Jeff Dion, executive director, National Compassion Fund, who administers the Love for Louisville Survivors Funds, said There is a direct relationship between media coverage following a mass shooting and the number of dollars raised for casualties of these crimes."
We must help others see the humanity of our Black neighbors. David Hunt, a young man killed at Chickasaw Park, is survived by a girlfriend awaiting the birth of his child. Imagine the pain of having someone you love murdered, coupled with knowing your child will never meet their father. Money will not bring David back or erase the pain. However, knowing that hundreds of strangers gave what they could to help you carry on lets you know you are important to others.
Over 160 gun violence homicides occurred in 2022, according to the Greater Louisville Project's Safer City By Design Report. The majority, young Black males, each survived by families and friends. Small, neighborhood-focused nonprofits are the most valuable and effective resource for helping these survivors cope with traumatic loss. However, the work of these organizations - often with Black leadership - is drastically underfunded and overlooked.
Help your neighbors cope with gun-related trauma by investing in these funds by July 20th, and invite your networks to join you at https://www.cflouisville.org/gv-relief/.
Ramona Dallum is the Vice-President of Community Engagement for the Community Foundation of Louisville.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Inequity is clear. How will Louisville support gun violence survivors?
