Enrique and "The Butter"

Tuesday, March 21, 2006:

Disturbing
This post isn't going to be my usual fun/wacky post. I don't like to use this blog has an outlet for anything except the silly things that go on in my life to amuse others, but something happened on Saturday night on my street that has gotten to me. 2 blocks from my house at 10 pm on Saturday, 4 people were walking to thier car...they were approached by 2 men, they had a gun, and asked for the woman's purse. She gave it with no struggle, when out of nowhere, the 2 men shot the women's son in the head. He died 2 days later. He was 25 years old.
I know this is a depressing, horrible tragedy....but I can't get it out of my mind. I picked this area because I falsely assumed I would be safe. But we really aren't safe anywhere, are we? I love where I live, I love being within walking distances of fun bars, restuaraunts, the lakes....people who visit me comment on what a great area it is.
What scares me the most is that could have been me and my friends/family walking down the street to head to the Uptown area. I've walked down my street at night with people many times...and I can't stop thinking about what if it had been me and my friends? These were innocent people, just walking down my street where I live.
Yet, it brings to mind all kinds of other questions/issues. If this had happened in what is known as a "bad" area of town, would have I thought twice about it? Probably not. I would have thought how horrible it was, and then would have been thankful that I didn't live there. And since this incident happened in a very popular and affluent area, it is everywhere I turn on the newspapers, news channels, and everyone is talking about it. My community is in turmoil; we want more cops, better lighting, etc...and we will get those things because this area is popular with mostly white, well-off people. And the sad reality of it is that I should be outraged if this type of stuff happens anywhere....and maybe it took this happening on my street to understand that it really can happen anywhere, and that we should work together as a city to stop it happening from everywhere.

Heather // 8:08 PM
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