Violence at a Youth Football Game

In my first official day back from vacation, many people have made comments to me about the violence that occured in Homewood while I was away. Homewood has been in the news because three people were shot on Sunday afternoon near a youth football game, a community event that usually attracts large crowds. The police have been pressing the community, through use of the media and other methods, to help identify the shooters. This particular violent act has drawn much attention because it happened so close to the children who were playing football, and it happened in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon in a crowded public area.

Some folks have threatened to shut down the youth football league in Homewood because of concerns over the safety near that area in Homewood. That is a terrible idea. The kids in Homewood, and the community in general, need the youth football program. It gives everyone something positive to look forward to. Surely the city can work with the youth football coaches, several of whom are my friends, to work out a solution to keep the program going while ensuring the safety of the community. Also, several people from North Way who were potential mentors have suddenly dropped out of the process due to concerns over the violence in Homewood. This concerns me greatly, because mentors are needed now more than ever in Homewood. I understand the fear factor, but things will not improve in Homewood unless people continue to engage and get involved in dealing with the problems head on. That especially includes Christians, the body of Christ that Jesus calls to bring light into places of pain.

I do not want to challenge anyone's courage. I do have a hope, though. I hope that some day, when violence increases in Homewood, that the Christian community in Pittsburgh would contact me to engage instead of avoiding me or pulling away out of fear. My hope is that the Christians in Pittsburgh would willingly and lovingly enter into the pain of struggling communities instead of withdrawing or distancing themselves from people who are hurting. I am excited that there are many Christians in Pittsburgh who are modeling this calling well. There is a great foundation to build on, even in Homewood where many people are doing great work to make a difference. Although there are signs of need in Homewood, there are also many signs of hope. Right now is the perfect time to get involved in mentoring a child in Homewood.