Going Home

A tragedy outside Fletcher Field

By all accounts, something really bad happened just outside Fletcher Field last weekend.

The memorial on Gilbo.

The story started to unfold for me Monday night, when I was approached by two area residents, who want to remain anonymous, with news of a shooting in the neighborhood. I was told that a harsh exchange of words between a group of teenagers at the park eventually escalated into a scene one man described as "unbelievable."

"I haven't witnessed anything like this in the 35 years I've been living here," he said.

A woman from the neighborhood who didn't actually see the incident said she heard between 15 and 20 shots.

"It was so incredibly loud and scary," she said.

I didn't get many solid details Monday but was told that three kids from the neighborhood were dead. A makeshift memorial just outside the park, consisting of a few tattered teddy bears, seemed to verify the deaths.

[More:]

I went home completely devastated, spent half the night talking with my wife and friends about what had apparently happened and how we might have prevented it had we not lost contact with the kids after the weather turned cold and our Sunday park programs ended for the year.

I then cried myself to sleep thinking about the kids' smiling faces as they petted Gunther the camel and other animals during the living nativity at the park on that snowy afternoon in early December. Some of those faces would never smile again now.

Pop, pop, pop ... dead, dead, dead.

From a distance, it's easy to dismiss a story like this as just another typical Detroit saga. Seems like once a week you see a headline that reads: "Three dead in drive-by shooting on Detroit's east side."

Be honest. You probably don't feel much of anything anymore when you read or hear this. Some likely even wave it off with disgust.

But it's not so easy when you know the kids involved, when you've seen them at their best. You can't just turn a blind eye when you've been touched by their talent, wisdom and sense of humor. After hearing of children being gunned down, children in desperate need of hugs and who have hugged you countless times during the past two years, I don't think you'd sleep much either.

Pop, pop, pop ... dead, dead, dead. No sleep tonight.

On Tuesday afternoon, Jon Morgan and I headed out to the park to try to get more details about what happened. We knew if we hung out there long enough, somebody would come by and be willing to talk.

Sure enough, within 20 minutes, someone walked into Fletcher Field. They immediately recognized us as "the guys who helped fix up the park," and we talked for a little while about the revamped basketball court.

I then asked about the makeshift memorial -- who died, when, how and why.

The account I got was much more graphic than what I had heard on Monday, though less tragic -- one dead, not three.

According to this person, last Saturday night an argument started in the park and got ugly as the group of teens involved poured out of the park and onto Gilbo Street; a sucker punch escalated the incident; a flurry of gunfire then ended it with one man dead, shot in the neck.

The person at the park Tuesday said it could have been much worse, that there were lots of kids in the area of the shooting.

"It's still sad," they said. "The guy was trying to leave and now he's dead."

Sad indeed after all the joy experienced at the park since September 2007.

So what now? That's what I've been asking myself for the last 48 hours. We aren't entirely sure what happened near the park. Everyone we talked to had a different story. On Tuesday, we contacted the police to get their version but haven't heard back.

I'm still convinced that the neighborhood is relatively safe. We've been working in the area for nearly two years and this is the first case of serious violence brought to my attention during that time.

The reaction of the neighborhood residents over the incident is telling, too: shock, awe and disbelief.

People who have lived and worked in the neighborhood for decades tell scary tales of the 1980s and 90s, when crack cocaine invaded the area and it was like the Wild West. They talk of barricading themselves in their homes and places of businesses, carrying loaded weapons for self defense.

But it's just not like that anymore. Residents say this is by far the worst thing that's happened in years. To illustrate the improvement, one long-time area business owner pulled from his desk a pistol he used to carry around, loaded at all times, and told us it was in a drawer because he doesn't need it anymore.

I'm not at all afraid to be in the neighborhood, even with my family, because it's been my experience that violent acts like the one that reportedly occurred outside the park are rarely random. They're almost always the result of drug deals gone bad, domestic disputes or minor squabbles between acquaintances that escalate because there's no one there to douse the building flames. We've seen these kinds of disputes at the park before but were able to quickly put an end to them.

Still, bad shit happens, and it's more likely to happen on McNichols and Van Dyke than it is in Grosse Pointe Woods. It's more likely because when you're left on the scrap heap and nobody cares, you lose your own self worth. And when you don't value your own life, you probably don't give a rat's ass about the other guy, either.

So what now? Chris Kempa, a former resident and one of our earliest volunteers, sent this to me this morning:

If there had been a gym/community center, with caring conflict resolution counselors available, this tragedy -- occurring at the end of a very long, very rough, very depressing winter -- likely would not have taken to the streets of this bleak neighborhood. And now we hope and pray for a spring rebirth of the park/neighborhood sanctuary during the other three seasons.

I guess there's nothing to do but carry on. Fix the gym. Continue with our Sundays in the park. Get and give more hugs. Help teach these kids the value of life -- and try to keep them alive.

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Mike Wisniewski [Member] · http://lacatholicworker.org

Michael,

What a tragedy! I am so sorry to hear this. My prayers go out to the victim's family and friends, as well as all in the neighborhood. Sadly, and shamefully, this is who we are as a nation. This nation worships violence. It is the idol, the god, whom we serve and to whom we sacrifice all. Do we not live under a "permanent" war economy? We export violence on a massive scale, either through unprecedented bombing campaigns, wars, invasions, and occupations, or providing the weapons of war, their delivery systems and munitions, to nearly three--quarters of the world's nations to name just two of many ways. And this is not to have an effect within? The hypocrisy is blatant. Often we become "completely devastated" by the “unbelievable” violence here, yet could care less about the lives, specifically children, and neighborhoods our nation--with our tax dollars--devastates elsewhere, either directly or by proxy.

You mentioned: "The reaction of the neighborhood residents over the incident is telling, too: shock, awe and disbelief." Think Baghdad six years ago with another version of "shock and awe" and disbelief with 1500 bombs dropped over a few days. Think 19 continuous years of senseless violence--sanctions and war--against the children of Iraq. Think seven years of senseless violence against the children of Afghanistan, to name just two of many others. Remember the bible verse, "you shall reap what you have sown"? Or the maxim, "What goes around comes around"?

Sure, we can provide "gym/community center, with caring conflict resolution counselors," but it will have minimum effect in the larger reality. Until our society wakes up and repudiates violence altogether, our small efforts are cosmetic at best. Until the people rise up and demand an end to wars, invasions, occupations and the militarization of our society, the oceans, and space, we will continue to wage a losing battle in our neighborhoods and in our families. Indeed, as we head further into a Greater Depression, the violence is sure to escalate. It's the only thing we believe in, Mike. Trillions of dollars and unimagined talent are wasted in our love for and worship of violence, death and destruction. Is it not time to make the connection?

Peace,
Mike W.

Permalink 03/26/09 @ 23:08

Comment from: bluegold [Member]

Mike W.

I respectfully disagree - I believe that we cannot truly love others until we first know and love the Lord our God. And I believe that if we get hung up on trying to change the world, we may miss opportunities to change individual lives by our individual actions.

When a group of kindred spirits join in an effort to reach outside themselves, doing things within their reach, I believe they are doing exactly what is asked of them. Sadly, many people get overwhelmed by the magnititude of the problems and throw their hands up, instead of lending their two God given hands to make a postive difference right where they are.

There will always be evil and conflict - welcome to planet Earth - bloom where you're planted is the appropriate Springtime mantra.

Permalink 03/27/09 @ 17:00

Comment from: Glenn Porzadek [Member]

I think of horrible things that have happened, in the far away past, and in the very near past. And it is incredibly important to view this incident in a larger context, without sugar coating it, but in perspective, and with all due compassion.

To me, a VERY important detail is that the folks in the Neighborhood tell us that they have not endured this kind of horror in a long time. And, lest we jump to conclusions that the neighborhood is beyond hope, we need to remind ourselves that we live in a huge metropolitan area. The tragic car accident last week on Gratiot, the killings in New Baltimore, Rochester Hills, Farmington Hills, Novi, Warren, all within recent memory, were met with a similar reaction among the residents of the respective areas. We see and hear them interviewed in news reports. "How could this happen here? We're not used to this." And it's true. The Fletcher field neighbors are not unlike anyone else who calls somewhere "home". They are no longer "used to this."

So many of these incidents generate some type of memorial to the innocent, as it did here at Fletcher. I see them all over the area, some tattered and torn, some fresh and new, from Algonac to Wyandotte to West Bloomfield. As I drive about in the course of my work I see them everywhere. Each little memorial on the side of the road, or in front of a home, those flowers, drawings,or teddy bears or dolls, represents broken hearts and lost dreams. Not Race nor Creed, economic circumstance nor geography matter.

None of us are immune. We live in a world that is sometimes violent, but very often loving in response to that violence. The Violent erupted at Fletcher a few days ago. The Loving has been flowing for a couple of years....at least..and must continue. We are working to grow the Loving, while at the same time we abhor the Violent.

To put it in a Christan perspective...with His death Jesus Himself acknowledged the Human, the pain of sin, of violence, even death. Yet His life and death has inspired countless generations, over two thousand years, to work toward lives of Love and mercy in everyday existence.

When don't give up on the neighborhood and the children we are pursuing that Loving existence with every breath, and teaching children about it.

And, in the Loving, we are Loved.

I'll see you all tonight...

Glenn Porzadek

Permalink 03/28/09 @ 07:23

Comment from: Mike Wisniewski [Member] · http://lacatholicworker.org

Greetings of peace, Blue Gold,

I understand your point, which certainly contains truth. However, I know many people who say they love God, and believe in and accept Jesus, yet either (directly or by their silence [neutrality]) participate in or support policies and actions utterly contrary to Gospel principles. Yet I also know people who consider themselves atheists or agnostics, yet stand for the dignity of the human person and have respect for the earth and ecosystem, which gives us the substance for life. Which of the two is closer to the Kindom of God? I understand it more like the parable of the two sons (Mt.21:28-32) where the man told each son to go work in the vineyard, one said yes, but did not; the other refused, but then changed his mind and did as requested. Here Jesus illustrates that only those who DO the will of God will enter into the Kindom. We can say what we want (anybody can call themselves a "Christian" and say they love God), but our actions (or lack thereof) is the criteria by which we will be judged (Mt 25:31-46 and Rev. 3:14-22).

I agree, it is not about changing the world. Again, it is about DOING the will of God. It is about being faithful to Gospel principles. It is about LISTENING TO and FOLLOWING Jesus in nonviolent resistance to evil, living by the law of love. It is about rejecting the ways of empire by becoming nonconformist. It is about speaking truth, particularly to power. Jesus exemplified this beginning with the Temptations in the Desert (Lk.4:5-8 in particular), which ultimately lead to the cross.

"...we may miss opportunities to change individual lives by our individual actions." We are not in disagreement. This is precisely what I have implied above, our actions and demeanor is what can lead others to a change of heart. However, we do not change anyone but ourselves.

"There will always be evil and conflict..." Absolutely! However, it is the Christian responsibility to name and unmask the evil and stand against it, as well as to heal the wounds of conflict. We cannot ignore evil in silence (neutrality). Silence is complicity. One thing that Jesus was NOT--silent in the face of injustice, in the face of evil. Nor should we.

Peace,
Mike W.

Permalink 03/28/09 @ 15:21

Comment from: bojajnick [Member]

I almost did it!! After 13 years today I was about to go past my old home on 8158 Dobel. On the way down Van Dyke today with my wfe and 3 kids, (oldest being 5), I was about to drive by my old Green Cemnet Block home. I just don't have the courage anymore. If I was single, no kids and younger, I would have. ButI relaized that being a father and a little bit older, I just don't have the couarge. The last time I went on Dobel was back in 96. My old neighbor Mary Drin that lived next to me with the nicest brick house on Dobel died at the age of 95. I was called by her family and notified of her funeral. I attended her Funeral and burial. Since then I haven't gone down on Dobel. I drive by on occasion and could see clear down to my old house. But that's it. I remember going down there once to twice a year to visit her back in 80-90's. It was bad, really bad. I was young and dumb, but fearless. No one really bothered me, except for the one time, I got surronded while in my car. If it wasn't for the fact I had my 15 shot Browning on me, who knows what could have happened. I went by to pay my respects to Mary which is at Mt Olivet down the street. I viste her resting place once a year. As in the past, I cried uncontrollably like a baby when I saw her resting place. Why you ask I cry?? I thinks it because of the 38 years of my life and all the changes I have seen in my old neighborhood and my life that just caught up with me all at once. As I cried, I kept thinking of how peaceful the cemetery is and how that peace, comfort and security, reminded me of my childhood on Dobel. Dobel you may be gone, but the experiences I had at 8158 shaped and continue to shape my life even today.

Permalink 03/28/09 @ 18:14

Comment from: ronfromnovi [Member]

With all due respect to Mike W, these Catolic and other "peacenics" are more a part of the problem than of the solution. Protesting war, burying your head in the sand, not supporting our troops or governments actions to fight terror worldwide, before it hits home again, are all signs of how out of touch you are with the reality of the world today. This trajedy could have been prevented on several levels. FIRST, where were the PARENTS (plural on purpose) when the shooter was out aquiring the weapon ILLEGALLY, leaving the house with an ILLEGAL WEAPON being CARRIED ILLEGALLY, to be used in an aggressive, ILLEGAL manner to settle what sounds like nothing more than a playground dispute? How about his ( or her ) associates that evening, who KNEW the perpetrator was committing SEVERAL illegal acts even before the incident occurred? Did any of them try to intervene? To PREVENT or DETER? Let's start placing the blame for crime where it belongs - ON THE CRIMINALS and all their family failures, and not on a war mongering society. Just what do you thing all the anti-war, anti-goverment protests accomplish, other than to strengthen the resolve of those wishing to do us harm? Yet you will be the FIRST to point fingers and shirk responsibility when the battle for freedom from terror is happening AT YOUR FRONT DOOR. Don't confuse the issues - fighting wars and fighting terrorism and tyranical oppression has NOTHING to do with urban gun violence. Lets not confuse the battlefield with the urban jungle - they are radically different. PRAYING for peace will not, unfortunately, bring peace. A strong defense, swift certainty of punishment and the swing of our courts back to the common sense middle of the road will do more to bring peace than any of your candle lit banner carrying protests. Sorry. Reality bites. Please treasure your First ( and SECOND ) amendment rights to speak your mind freely. No other country in the world offers you the opportunity to do so with as much protection as the good old USA. The loss of another young life is indeed trajic and sickening. To place the blame anywhere other than squarely on the back of the shooter is equally distasteful.

Permalink 03/29/09 @ 06:55

Comment from: Mike Wisniewski [Member] · http://lacatholicworker.org

Greetings of peace, Ron,

Although you certainly are entitled to your opinion, I emphatically take issue with your thesis. At the outset, Gospel-centered activists (be they Catholic or Protestant) are far, very far, extremely far from being the problem. Our foundation is love--for God and ALL that God created--friend, neighbor, enemy, indeed all of creation. Therefore, our center, our motivation, is nonviolence, the path that Jesus Christ set forth and instructed us to follow--individually and collectively. This, then, is NOT the problem, Ron, but the answer. Violence--specifically imperial violence, but violence on any level--has NEVER solved anything, and NEVER will. Love is the ONLY solution. However, I could agree that conservative "religious" activists are part of the problem insofar as most are supportive of imperial policies and biased toward the rich, which is antithetical to fundamental Christian principles. There is too much to cover for a post on this blog, but I will submit the remainder of my rebuttal privately.

Peace, Mike W.

Permalink 03/30/09 @ 13:01