“We Are Losing Our Babies Every Day”
2.20.2024
I’ve been involved with Moms Demand Action for four years. I am currently a volunteer on the California State Legislative Team.
I joined this movement because, as I raise Black children in a violence-plagued city (Oakland) and witness in too many communities the generational traumas caused by gun violence, I believe it is my responsibility to protect and stand up for our future. That is what fuels my passion to continue in this fight.
We are losing our children to gun violence every day, at a much higher rate than other races in the United States. Eighty-four percent of all gun deaths among Black people are homicides1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. WONDER Online Database, Underlying Cause of Death. A yearly average was developed using four years of the most recent available data: 2018 to 2021. Black defined as non-Latinx origin. Homicide includes shootings by police.; every 6.5 hours, a Black boy or teenager dies by gun homicide in the United States.2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. WONDER Online Database, Underlying Cause of Death. A yearly average was developed using four years of the most recent available data: 2018 to 2021. Males ages 0 to 19. Black defined as non-Latinx origin. Homicide includes shootings by police.
I am a gun violence survivor. I was kidnapped and assaulted at gunpoint while I was on my way to work. After my attack, I used to drive around with a gun looking for the abuser. Years after the assault, he was arrested; I testified at his trial, and he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. When he was sentenced, I felt sadness that we as a society are failing to provide environments in which to raise healthy children, contributing to cycles of violence and criminality.
Even after his arrest, I was mad and scared. I didn’t know how justice looked or felt like. My life was changed forever when he shattered my peace and invaded my life with fears that were never there. But even though justice was blurred, I knew what the path forward would be: I’d fight for a future where no one goes through what I went through ever again. I fight for gun violence prevention for the lives of everyone—even the man who assaulted me.
We cannot afford not to be involved in the gun violence prevention movement—our future is literally at risk. Our babies, our children, need to see leaders who look like them fighting for them and guiding them on how to turn away from gun violence. Organizations doing this work need Black voices leading the movement. Who knows more about us than us?
For a long time, it seemed the only voices to whom Black communities could turn to fight against gun violence were within the community itself. Grassroots activists and community organizers were doing whatever it took to keep our communities safe, but it felt like lawmakers were forgetting many communities.
Over the last few years, more Black people have been elected to office. Black elected officials have a seat at the table to author the laws to protect our communities against gun violence. They are helping pass laws like California AB 28, which passed in 2023 and will provide funds for violence prevention and support services. That’s big!
“We cannot afford not to be involved in the gun violence prevention movement—our future is literally at risk. Our babies, our children, need to see leaders who look like them fighting for them and guiding them on how to turn away from gun violence.”
Renia Webb, volunteer with the California chapter of Moms Demand Action
I want to recognize Tennessee Representative Justin Jones for the bravery he and his colleagues showed as they stood up for our children and spoke out against gun violence after The Covenant School shooting, where six people—including three 9-year-old children—were killed. Representatives Jones and one of his colleagues were initially expelled from their positions in the legislature because of their actions and were only reinstated after national outrage.
Rep. Jones was honored with a resolution at the California State Capitol for standing in solidarity to defend our democracy. Prior to the reading of the resolution, my 9-year-old son got to meet Rep. Jones and even chatted with him for a bit. At that moment, I was so proud of Rep. Jones and what it means for our future to have leaders like him. I also felt sadness for those killed in Tennessee, who were the same age as my son. I grieve for those families left behind, even as I have hope that with leaders like Rep. Jones, the state of gun violence in the U.S. will get better. Together, we are all continuing this movement!
As we strive to support individuals and communities impacted by gun violence, it is incredibly important to listen to them with compassionate and empathetic hearts—and to listen more than speak. We need to prioritize asking communities how we can be of service to them, rather than suggesting what we feel they need, and to approach those we are working with as partners. It is critical that community members are involved in shaping solutions and plans that impact them.
Being involved in the work and seeing the impact of how the advocacy of Moms Demand Action is helping to get major gun violence prevention laws passed across the country—and thereby helping to save lives every day—gives me hope.
I am thankful that Moms Demand Action is intentionally working to elevate Black leadership within their organization, to support Black leaders in communities across the country, and to build relationships with Black lawmakers. I had the opportunity to attend the Moms Demand Action Black Leaders meeting at Gun Sense University in 2023. It was so empowering and inspiring to fellowship with and learn from other Black Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers. It feels good to be in space together and to feel safe to be unapologetically Black.
