Dear Editor: Why Are We Killing Each Other?

Why are we killing each other?

What message are we giving our youth? Will we have any youth left if we don't stop it now? How would you feel if it was your son? Your brother? Your cousin?

How do you tell 3 little children that their father is not coming how again, ever?

How do we as a community keep our mouths shut and allow cold-blooded murderers to continue to walk the streets looking for another victim? The next time it could be your child.

We need your help getting justice for L.J.

If you know anything about my son's murder please help us. We know that the community knows, please come forward and stop this vicious cycle of silence. We as a people have always known the "just us" means that we have to stand up for ourselves.  The violence has to end and we have to end it.  The greatest tool we have is to stop the silence.  L.J. did not deserve to die and neither did the countless others killed by gang violence and black against black crime.  Help me and help yourself and help our community so all of our kids can be safe again. Our people have come too far to end up as victims of genocide.

If you know anything please contact me. 503-515-6778

Lucy Mashia
Devastated mother of L.J. (Leonard James Irving Jr.)

Read The Skanner News interview with Lucy Mashia