Can you imagine what it would be like to lose a child to violence? For far too many families here in Louisville, they don't have to imagine.
Until we walk a mile in their shoes, how can the rest of us possibly understand what that is like? This past Saturday, some of the folks who understand far too well came together on the steps of the Hall of Justice downtown for the 6th annual 'Walk a Mile in Our Shoes' event.
Organized by Kenneth Forbes (above, right), founder of Mothers of Murdered Sons & Daughters, the event was both a call to action and a reminder.
Here in the US, 'if it bleeds, it leads' tends to be the mantra of the media. An initial rush of attention, which quickly fades as the next tragedy replaces it at the top of the hour.
In addition to skewing the public's perception of crime, this also silences the voices of those most affected by it. Trapped in a cycle of toxicity, forced to relive their trauma time and again, it adds insult to injury as it minimizes their trauma.
In light of that, Walk a Mile in Our Shoes is something of a necessity. A way to give voice to those most affected by gun violence, to call for us to do more and do better so that others don't have to go through the same trauma, and a reminder that only those who have experienced it truly understand what it is like to go through.
Each photo, each pair of shoes was someone's brother or sister, son or daughter, someone taken far too soon.
Can you put yourself in their shoes, imagine how it must feel?
You feel like a bit of a bastard taking photos in such a space, but it is because they are not being seen and heard that such events are necessary.
