Stories of killing must make us ask ‘Why?’

Lakeshia Washington Charlottesville
Published: July 31, 2008

I want to respond to the crime that has been happening in Charlottesville lately.

I am very troubled by the increase in violence, and it saddens my heart to pick up the newspaper just to find another face of a young soul.

I am a resident of this city, and have been all my life. The people that have recently been murdered I have gone to school with or had family members in school with them.

I want to ask the public: What has changed in the past 10 years that is inspiring young souls to turn to the streets? I am only 21 years old, and yet I wonder: Is it the negligence at home, the struggle of living, or the constant threat of keeping a street reputation, when these “kids” decide to make contact with the trigger of violence?

I want answers, and I know that there are many like me who are yearning to learn the truth.

We cannot live like this or even worse. The generational curse must stop now.