A conspicuous sound of a bouncing basketball resounds through the corridors of Western Hills University High School in West Price Hill. Within this atmosphere, 15-year-old freshman Jamar Hurse is not merely engaged in a game of shooting hoops, but rather, working towards instigating a transformative change. The pervasive specter of gun violence in his school community has left a profound impact, having victimized over a dozen young individuals in the span of the last six years.
Aligned with his peers, Hurse adamantly refuses to acquiesce to this grim reality. They have taken proactive measures to counteract these circumstances, exemplified by their recent orchestration of a basketball tournament aptly named “Put the guns down, pick the ball up.” Their collective resolve is directed towards addressing the escalating frequency of juvenile shootings within Cincinnati.
In the preceding year, the incidence of teenagers falling victim to gun violence in Cincinnati has peaked, exerting a considerable influence on the vicinity of West High. Indeed, Price Hill has been delineated as one of the top 10 neighbourhoods in the city plagued by criminal activity. The profound repercussions of gun violence have made an indelible imprint on the school community, underscored by a bulletin board in the gymnasium serving as a poignant commemoration of lost friends.
Anna Colyer, an intervention specialist at West High, alongside Victoria Oakley, a social worker at the establishment, have mourned the loss of 15 students to gun violence since 2018. Regrettably, Oakley has been compelled to attend seven funerals for young victims within the last several years.
The pivotal juncture for these students materialized during an Anthony Munoz Foundation Youth Leadership Seminar. Supposedly conceived as a day of inspiration and empowerment, the event was overshadowed by a somber tone upon learning that one of their peers had fallen victim to a shooting. This disheartening occurrence galvanized them into action, igniting their determination to eradicate the issue of gun violence afflicting their school community.
Demonstrating remarkable initiative, these young individuals invested an arduous seven months towards the planning and execution of a basketball tournament fundraiser. Their primary objective was to provide their peers with a brief respite from the trials they have been confronted with. Notably, 17-year-old student Nency Patel independently met with the school principal to champion the cause of this event, a testament to their unwavering resolve.
Their overarching objective was deceptively straightforward: to rekindle joy and mirth within their school environment. Their endeavours were further guided by professionals cognizant of the significance of providing young individuals with positive channels and opportunities for association as a means to curtail youth violence.
During the tournament, the students not only garnered funds for the “Save Our Youth: Kings and Queens” anti-violence organization spearheaded by Mitch Morris but also produced a poignant video bringing to light the far-reaching impact of gun violence on their community. Attendees were additionally encouraged to pen Mother’s Day cards for mothers who have suffered the agony of losing children to gun violence.
Hurse articulated his sanguine expectations that the event would engender a lasting impression, having observed the smiles and laughter of his peers at the tournament. This served as an affirming reminder that, despite prevailing challenges, these youngsters are capable of embracing the liberties of childhood. Through their solidarity and dedicated activism, these teenagers from Cincinnati are resolutely standing against the insidious threat of gun violence, heralding a message of optimism and resilience within their community.