The Number 673 Became Special on November 19

It was November 19, another Saturday night in Chicago, Illinois.  That means one thing is certain.  People will be murdered.  It goes without saying.  Chicago is one of the most fatalistic cities in our nation.  A city that has some of the strictest gun possession laws but that doesn’t matter to “Chi-Town”.  From sundown Friday to sunrise Monday there will be dozens of assaults leading to murder, manslaughter and miscellaneous savagery.  During the evening of November 19, murder number 673 will occur.  It is so cold to frame it this way.  To the family and friends of number 673 it will be a devastation.  The family and friends of number 673 will be in every regional newspaper in the nation, not just Chicago.  Jovan Wilson is the name of this victim.  Jovan, a 15-year-old, happens to be the grandson of the Honorable Danny Davis.  Danny is the US Congressman for Chicago’s 7th Congressional District.  In Chicago and Washington, DC Danny is known as a very distinguished leader and well known to millions – including me and my family.

This is the nightmare that every Black family fears.  Your Black teenage child out at night where he could be in danger like an antelope grazing the Masai Mara Plains in Kenya.  Danger is around and it can be lethal.  This wasn’t your typical homicide.  Jovan was arguing with two acquaintances over the possession of pants and tennis shoes.  One thing led to another and fists were swinging and in the end a pistol came out and fired.  So now Jovan is dead and two others may be spending the rest of their lives in prison.  A tragedy for all involved.  May God bless the three families especially the Davis family.  Danny is such a caring leader and I know this is taking a very heavy toll on this compassionate person.

Not too long ago, Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter, experienced a similar tragedy with her two nephews.  They were out in Chicago on a Saturday night and were murdered.  Is anyone exempt in Chicago and other urban areas throughout our nation?  No, there is no guarantee for any of our families.  When our leaders’ families can suffer the same way as any of us can then it is time to come together and say “Stop the violence!”  Even police officers become targets.

It seems like common sense should help control this matter.  But no that doesn’t work.  Making guns illegal will not work either.  Like I said earlier there is something very mysterious about this issue.  It is some kind of selection process.  One human being has no regard for others and will instantly kill another mother’s child.  How do we get so evil and callous?  As the great songwriter, Maurice White, would say: “A child is born with a heart of gold, the ways of the world will turn that heart stone cold”.

Our churches and clergy should step up a little higher in preaching the gospel.  Our school teachers and administrators must demand discipline amongst the students they oversee.  Our police must be wise and prudent as they protect the “peace” in our communities and citizens.  Our courts must have the wisdom of “Solomon” as they apply the law equally and for the benefit of all.  Finally, our parents must give love and guidance for their children and grandchildren.  There is no doubt in my mind that the Davis family provided such love and guidance.  It appears impossible to uphold a smooth and abiding societal process;as simple as it sounds in the Ten Commandments.  But somehow we collectively disregard the rule of God’s law.  My goodness people our Creator knew what he was doing when he had Moses deliver it to us.

Maybe this time we get serious.  I mean more than reading at church next Sunday and then go spend the rest of the week absent of what you pledged on Sunday (do you?).  There is just too much hate.  We are too quick to throw pain at someone and too heartless to help anotherhuman being who may be hurt.  May Chicago’s number 673 be more than just a sad statistic.  He was a child of God and it would be such a shame if we just walk on as if nothing happened.  Right now, let’s all give a deep prayer for the Davis family.

These things don’t have to happen if we begin to live “Pure of Heart”.

Mr. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO, of the National Black Chamber of Commerce ®.