Gun violence and homicides are densely concentrated to black neighborhoods on the West and South sides of Chicago. These statistics highlight the segregated and racial tendencies of Chicago, emphasizing the need for systemic change. The amount of exposure the youth are experiencing when it comes to violence has profound impacts on childhood development. Research shows that repeated exposure to violence can affect brain development and lead to life-long deficits. Currently there is a correlation between the absence of non-violent conflict resolution skills and an elevated propensity for violence. And because of age and the lack of intervention, these children have difficulties identifying, expressing, and regulating their emotions.

Despite comprising 30% of Chicago’s total population, black individuals have fallen victim to 80% of homicides committed from 2016-2020. Furthermore, over 50% of victims were black males aged 15-34. “It’s scientific. It’s not natural. This is social and political. It encumbers on racial disparities which should be abhorrent and is, in fact, illegal. You look at the impact of poverty. People who often have fewer aspirations, they think they can’t make it, their spirits are broken, they are perplexed. We must break that cycle and give people hope. Hope matters”. –Reverend Jesse Jackson on examining Chicago’s gun violence.