Liz Bishop-Goldsmith, Contributor

The continuous acts of gun violence in the communities of colour, mostly committed by and against our very own has prompted me to write this in hopes of reaching out to the people of colour and others to unite and help stop this madness.

As an African-American mother and grandmother, the black-on-black crime in America and throughout the world troubles me that we are not in a state of outrage against the robberies, drugs, gangs and violence that is destroying our youth and our communities. Day after day these horrible elements continue to ricochet from one end of this world to the other. It's really sad, but nothing out of the norm; it's just an everyday thing in this great civilised society - especially in the black community. We have the hunters and the hunted. Unfortunately, the hunters are usually young, involved in drug activity, gang members, jobless, educationally deprived, mentally unstable, and black males.

Witnesses remain silent

We see the drugs, the gangs and acts of gun violence happening right in our own neighbourhoods, and yet so many turn their heads and remain silent. Many remain silent out of fear, but let's put fear aside for a moment. Would you rather fear making that anonymous call for help, or being a victim? Keeping silent only gives these punks more power to rule their turf - your community. When will enough be enough?

I'm tired of hearing about our youth and others slaughtered by punks who have no regard for life. No one is above the law, including those who are sworn to uphold the law. Our youth deserve to live to a ripe old age and rear their own children, and we have the right to enjoy our grandchildren. Those that cross the line and commit these violent acts must suffer the consequences. I'm tired of seeing my daughters and sons on the street corners, robbing and stealing from their own families and others. I'm tired of seeing my sons and daughters spaced out from the effects of drugs. I'm tired of hearing other people's stories about how their children are incarcerated for committing horrible crimes, or worse: dead and buried!

Gun violence is out of control! Some of our youth (and not so young) are out of control! Drugs and gangs are rampant in our communities and we just sit back and wait for another body bag to be taken out. Something's wrong with this picture. It's time to wake up and get involved in reclaiming our youth and our communities.

Guns make money, and so do lawyers, insurance companies, and funeral homes! Let's not forget the manufacturers and distributors! The only difference between us and other classes of people is that someone is making it very easy for people to get the guns, the drugs and join the gangs.

We must get involved in the lives of the youth in our communities, and let them know that we will not allow them to destroy it, or themselves. United, we can make our communities throughout this world safe and reclaim our youth. I'm sick and tired of attending funerals because these thugs are allowed to continue their rampage and revengeful acts with no regard for the life of anyone, including their own. Death by natural cause is devastating, but a violent act causing death is beyond devastation.

Enough is enough!