John–

Today is the first day of both National Gun Violence Survivors Week and
Black History Month. As a survivor of gun violence and a Black woman,
these next several days hold deep importance for me.

That's because I'm remembering my son, Kenneth. In a few days, it will
have been 16 years since I last spoke to him, saw his face, and called his
name. He was shot and killed while trying to intervene in a fight. A
single parent, Kenneth left behind three sons: Tyler, John, and Mykhi.

Kenneth was the center of our family and a role model for his younger
siblings and cousins. He was responsible and considerate of the people
around him, and had a very strong sense of family. He was the one who
would organize a barbecue if too much time had passed between family
gatherings.

It hurts to write those words. But in the gun violence prevention
movement, I have found a community of fellow survivors and activists who
help me and countless others understand that we are not alone in this
process.

[ [link removed]- ]That's why for National Gun Violence Survivors Week, I'm asking you to
read and share the stories of survivors of gun violence.

We commemorate National Gun Violence Survivors Week the first week of
February because by the beginning of this month, more people are killed
with guns in the United States than are killed with guns in any other
high-income country in an entire year. Many more are wounded, witness gun
violence, or have loved ones who experienced gun violence, leaving 58
percent of American adults—including 68 percent of Black and Latino
Americans—as survivors of gun violence.

But John, know this: survivors of gun violence have experienced
loss to a degree that absolutely no one should, and even still, we are
resilient. America's gun violence survivors, despite experiencing
incredible trauma, are leading work on the ground to support other
survivors and advocate for common-sense gun safety measures that save
lives.

And we need your help accomplishing that change. [ [link removed]- ]This week, help bring
awareness to the need for action by reading and sharing the stories of gun
violence survivors.

As I reflect on the history and resilience of my communities this month—as
both a gun violence survivor and a Black woman in America—I know there is
still much more to be done to achieve racial justice and an end to gun
violence in this country, two issues that are deeply interconnected. This
Black History Month and beyond is a time for us to highlight the important
work of Black survivors and activists, as well as frontline workers,
health care workers, and faith leaders, and to make clear why we must
center Black lives in our advocacy.

So as we continue this work, I will be thinking about Kenneth. I never
stop missing him or wanting him. I am grateful for the love we shared, the
son he was to me. I thank God for him.

His sons feel the loss; they struggle, but they keep getting up. He will
always be what he has been to us.

We love you, Ken Ken. You were our love. You were our heaven.

[ [link removed]- ]Remembering my son, Kenneth

[ [link removed]- ]John, please read and share the stories of gun violence
survivors this National Gun Violence Survivors Week, and thank you for
being a part of this movement.

Brenda Mitchell
Everytown Survivor Network


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