Maryland activists use the power of love to empower youth, reduce incidents of violence

By D. Kevin McNeir& Special to the AFROJune is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time when many Americans give greater focus to the devastating impact of gun violence and consider possible solutions to a problem that, in recent years, has only gotten worse.& While any instance of gun violence is troubling, perhaps most alarming are the daily televised news reports or stories in print and social media which center on youth-involved gun violence – some serving as the triggerman while others become the latest victims.& & Leaders of the Prince George’s County-based nonprofit Making A Difference (M.A.D™) acknowledge and celebrate the positive decisions and achievements of youth throughout the Greater Washington Area each and every day – no matter how small they may seem to be. (Photo courtesy Chris Thomas)The American Academy of Family Physicians now recognizes violence as a major public health concern, as do the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who in February 2024 released an in-depth analysis, “Preventing Youth Violence.” The report addresses the myriad of ways that gun violence involving youth often results in lifelong physical and psychological damage, and provides strategies to reduce the surge in youth injuries and deaths.& In the...