Suburban and urban victims alike deserve our empathy
White lives matter. More.
No better conclusion, although disturbingly troubling, exists regarding the recent slaying of Dean Finocchiaro, 19, of Middletown Township; Tom Meo, 21, of Plumsteadville, Jimi Taro Patrick, 19, of Newtown; and Mark Sturgis, 22, of Pennsburg, Montgomery County.
Media members have saturated our minds with the unfortunate circumstances of murder in Solebury Twp. although souls cry out for equal reporting on blood spilled in Trenton, Camden, Newark and nearly every urban area.
PhillyVoice reported this insight from a Solebury Twp. resident.
“It’s scary .... ”We feel like we live in a bubble here because it’s a safe environment. These things weren’t supposed to happen here.”
People who believe they live in bubbles should expect to witness their lives busted, especially when persons mix the universal deadly cocktail of drugs, guns, alleged mental illness and money. “and the lack of youth maturity and development,” a friend added.
“The real issue is that this sort of tragic crime is repeated in Trenton, Camden, Newark, and Philadelphia (and countless other communities) regularly but is reported differently,” he wrote.
His insights paralleled mine, reintroduced Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly” line, “I felt he found my letters (and thoughts). And read each one out loud.”
The writer presented similarities about urban and suburban lifestyles.
“Access to drugs and guns — common in both setting; Adolescent egos — common in both settings (in triplicate!). Mental health problems — Why do we believe mental health problems are limited to families with substantial incomes.”
We should include domestic violence, alcohol abuse, depression and all other categories that tethers human life. These issues can be found in pristine Princeton and traumatized Trenton.
The writer concluded “In reality, the factors at play here are not substantially different than those that lead to shooting and homicides in Trenton. However, they are not being reported in the same way — and hence, are not being considerable in an analogous manner.”
Reports about urban casualties paint victims as people who brought demise to their own lives, somehow deserving of bullet holes or knife wounds.
Young drug dealers gunned down in this capital city receive condemnation as public enemies. We check Facebook pages for them flashing gang membership signs as if those teenaged daydreams obtain them actual street cred.
Critics fail to realize that mothers and fathers of city victims make funeral arrangements, purchase coffins, flowers and hire food caterers.
Murder in Philadelphia, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale and St. Louis produce capitalist opportunities for making more money.
Police allege that two Solebury Twp. victims met up with their alleged killer after striking a deal to purchase large amounts of marijuana.
Buying four or five pounds of marijuana qualifies as a serious drug deal with the purchaser and seller likely a marijuana distributor.
Media members glossed over such details to deliver stories about the wonderful qualities each deceased member offered while alive. A venture into the nooks and crevices of Trenton will provide good memories exist for men and women dying here, too.
Reports made four Solebury Twp. victims human and undeserving of such heinous results while urban areas somehow should expect the shadow of death.
All suburban and urban victims deserve our empathy and sympathy based on the fact that some person(s) took their lives.
My heart aches for Solebury Twp. families and Trenton communities who suffer the sad reality that drugs and guns usually deliver criminal activity attached to numbing violence.
The prayer here remains that my mind always understands that being part of the human race requires non-acceptance of violence, murder and mayhem.
No bubbles exist in life. If you think your life affords such comfort then burst your own silver lining and join the human race.
Pray and work toward the day when we live and stand together as members of the human race.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Reach him at laparker@trentonian.com. Follow him on Twitter@ laparker6.