GUEST OPINION
By Roberto Hernandez
Over two years ago, I wrote a letter on behalf of the community titled “Death in the Mission,” calling on police and elected officials to address the violence in our neighborhood after six young men were killed in a period of seven weeks.
One of the six deaths occurred at Garfield Square Park on a Sunday afternoon, while families played in the park.
I pleaded in the letter for San Francisco to declare a state of emergency to address our young people dying as a “health epidemic.”
Some got it, but the city failed to declare a state of emergency.
Look at all of the deaths that have occurred since then.
As a community, we brought every sector together at several town hall meetings, attended by more than 500 people.
Every city department was invited to participate—and most did—as well as several elected officials.
After a year of meetings, we created a “road map to peace,” a plan to address violence in our community over the next five years.
It’s now been more than a year since we created the plan. We went through the city budget process to secure the funding to implement the plan, but were granted $100,000, when we needed at least $2 million.
I was told to tone it down and be patient. Really?
How can I tone it down when I continue to attend funerals, and bury young boys and men that I know from our community?
Let me share one of the deaths in 2014 that deeply affected me, my familia and so many others.
Many of you have met my son Tito, the 7-year-old first grader who attends Buena Vista Horace Mann School (BVHM).
On Sept. 3, 2014, BVHM was affected by the death of Rashawn Williams, a 14-year-old, 4.0 GPA graduate of BVHM.
One of Tito’s classmates was Rashawn’s little brother. During the next three months, Tito went from being angry, crying, having nightmares, being fearful and unable to sleep, to being silent.
The corner of 26th and Folsom streets where Rashawn was attacked was filled with candles, flowers, balloons, poster boards and tears. We live three blocks from that corner. Explaining to Tito what was happening there was quite emotional.
Although the school offered some services, it was quite overwhelming to deal with over 600 students and families. I attended the PTA meeting and raised concern over the impact this death would have on our children.
We have a great strong principal at BVHM, yet she had a meltdown at the meeting, and began to cry. She apologized for losing it and we felt how overwhelming and emotional it was for her. It moved many of us to tears.
Twenty-six teachers attended the funeral services. It was quite a confusing and emotional day for students having 26 substitute teachers.
Rashawn’s little brother never came back to school and Tito was concerned about him. It was hard for Tito to understand why he transferred out.
My hope in sharing Tito’s experience and that of so many children BVHM, is that you find in your hearts the need to declare a health epidemic in our community, which then can immediately help provide the funding to implement the road map to peace.
All these deaths are affecting the mental health and wellbeing of our community.
It took me a while to write this due to the pain of losing my own daughter, Icelya. She was born on Dec. 25, 1977. She was my first-born, my Christmas present. She was 27 when she died two weeks after giving birth in 2005. She is where I get my strength. And now, my little boy is being affected by violence in our community.
It’s a new year; lets make a difference in 2015.