Boston’s top priority should be stopping the ongoing, invisible crisis of gun violence in our city. On Sunday, a 16-year-old girl, Jucelena Gomes, was shot dead at 555 Washington Street in Codman Square in the neighborhood of Dorchester. Another teenager and a man were wounded during the shooting. We must address the gun violence crisis in Boston, but also the interrelated issues of poverty, a lack of quality jobs, our underresouced Boston Public Schools, systemic racism, drugs, bullying, crime, gangs, the COVID surge, etc. We must listen to community members, the local people of Dorchester, as we try to move forward.

The question is if Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other leaders will lead such a listening project, a “truth and reconciliation commission” about the trauma that has occurred within Boston’s black, brown, and LatinX communities. Boston has a history of severe racism and segregation which must be addressed if the violence is to stop. We must think about the recommendations from David Kennedy in his important book, “Don’t Shoot,” such as addressing racial injustice which is driving this cycle of violence, along with the firearm industry. In my opinion, the people of Boston will need to lead the way, because politicians are usually pulled in other directions, and the mainstream media won’t keep sustained attention on this issue.

A 16-year-old girl, shot dead, the first murder of the year. Horrific.

That’s all I have for today. If you have any comments, please feel free to leave them below. And remember, my blog is entirely free. Thanks, Phil