Beyond Bullets

Exploring the root causes, consequences, and solutions for gun violence.

Two childhood friends notice a grim pattern in their text thread. Their messages to each other have become death notices. The victims are their friends and classmates – shot and killed before their lives could even really begin.

At first, our messages came naturally. A sad update from back home.

Did you hear about…

When more people we grew up with were killed as gun violence increased in the city, our messages became routine.

…getting out of control…

Almost everyone Caleb and I grew up with can name someone who was killed by gun violence: a friend, a classmate, a boyfriend. I’ve lost four people – just two years out of high school. This feels like a morbid rite of passage for my generation.

Read the full article on Now Kalamazoo. 

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