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Ending Gun Violence With a Proverbial Bang

By Joshua Errett

gun2.gifIn the past week, much has been made about community building and social development as a means of preventing gang violence in troubled areas of the city. Mayor David Miller’s reaction to gun violence – when pressured by media and mayoral wannabe’s – was to circumvent progressive means of crime stopping and hire more police officers. And, for this, he’s fallen out of favour with the progressive media outlets that’ve been trumpeting the social development route all along. Torontoist, a long-time critic of guns and police treatment of guns, also believes the cure for our current gunfluenza is in long term neighbourhood infrastructure, not an influx of police presence. So, similar to NOW Magazine, we urge the City of Toronto to waive the magic community-building wand and build some nice, safe communities in the northwestern area of the city.
Alas, the prospect of David Miller’s broom turning into such a magic wand is highly unlikely, and probably impossible. The road to community building, unfortunately, must come in part from the community. And since much of the progressive community is championing these social development tactics, perhaps they (we) should be leading the charge. This, Torontoists and Torontoests, is where our aforementioned friends at NOW Magazine come in: With trucks full of money, the right attitude and necessary means to do it, why doesn’t NOW throw a little getting-to-know-you street party/concert/festival in our most beleaguered of neighbourhoods? Talk about community building! Such an event would pull the carpet out from which this gang violence stigma stands on. If we could integrate our neighbourhoods with a well-publicized party, we might understand better how to arrive at a solution. Besides, why further segregate victims of gun violence with a us-and-them attitude? Let’s break the ice. A gun-troubled neighbourhood is a gun-troubled city, and Toronto is finding that out like a slap in the face this month. There’s no reason why we can’t have a little “Hey how’s your father?” session along Jane Street.belushitoga.jpg
Thus the suggestion to NOW Magazine, the City of Toronto, or anyone else in a position of influence is this: Show your progressive stripes and take direct action in community building as a means of curbing gun violence. Torontoist is sure that scores of musicians would jump at the chance to help out the cause. There’s no problem that a little partying can’t solve. (Also of note: It’s hard to carry a gun if you’re in a toga.)

Comments

  • billonlogan

    My guess is that Miller’s moronic musings aren’t really indicative of Miller being a moron, but that his constituents are morons. I do not for one minute believe that his assertion that the guns in Canada are a U.S. problem or that he seriously believes that a central secure gun depository would solve the gun crime problem in Toronto. After all, Miller is a Harvard graduate. I believe Miller’s pronouncements are for the consumption of the people that voted him into office. All those nice, Birckenstocks-and-wool-socks-wearing peace activists and those nice single soccer moms who feel threatened by an Alberta farmer’s ability to own a shotgun to hunt or shoot varmints. After all, who needs to hunt these days and don’t varmints have a right to live, too?
    Toronto’s social worker community has suggested that the gun problem is related to “root causes”. Of course we all know that the words “root causes” mean that no one is responsible for their actions because of poverty. Except I don’t think these kids are killing one another over a sandwich. I think the reasons are a lot less complex than “root causes”.
    So long as Miller trivializes Toronto’s gun problems by attempting to lay the blame elsewhere or to suggest glib solutions, the problem will only get worse.
    While TOist and the other MSM in the city support David Miller and his group hug approach to violent crime, Citytv fawns over the mayor. They absolutely worship His Worship. But at a press conference, City’s Adam Vaughan asked the mayor if he had visited the 4-year-old Shaquan. When a somewhat surprised Miller said “no”, Vaughan, in a pure and unadulterated act of journalism, kept asking his buddy “why not”. The mayor mumbled and stumbled but couldn’t give a coherent answer as to why he had not visited the boy. The reality is that he just didn’t care.

  • torontothegood

    billonlogan: grt comment. on a sidenote miller’s recent comments pander to the electorate, but that’s the case with every politician so i don’t see any reason to vilify him. approaching the podium and admitting he’s powerless on a hot-button issue doesn’t make good press, and he’s expected to address the issue, however ineffectively.
    tho claiming miller doesn’t care is a stretch, I bet he sympathizes.
    joshua: i’d add the same people that complain about the status quo need to spend some time outside their own postal code and engage in these neighborhoods, or shut up already. good post.

  • Wondering Why

    If you believe a street party is the solution to social problems, why don’t you throw one yourself. Instead of suggesting someone else do it. Put your money where your mouth is!!!

  • Josh

    good idea. i will throw a street party. 8pm, sunday night. um. corner of…dundas and bay. i’ll bring my dominoes set. and i’ll make a pitcher of iced tea.

  • Michael

    This is a late comment, I’ve been out of town. So I am probably too late to ask billonlogan what the less-complex reasons for gun violence are. Note: It has been established that it is not due to a sandwich. Not even an especially tasty one?