Gun violence is a problem that hits certain communities harder than others. In the U.S., Black and Latino neighborhoods are disproportionately affected, with more deaths, injuries, and trauma from guns than other areas. This isn’t just about numbers or news stories, it’s a real problem that’s hurting families and neighborhoods.

Gun violence as a health issue

For many people in communities of color, gun violence isn’t just a crime, it’s a health crisis. Living in areas with high gun violence puts people at risk for mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, especially for kids and teens. Imagine being afraid to leave your home or send your child to school because of the constant threat of violence. This kind of fear takes a serious toll on everyone’s well-being.

When violence is frequent, it also becomes harder to trust police, medical systems, or even neighbors. People might not call for help or speak up when something happens because they feel scared or disconnected. This fear only makes it harder to break the cycle of violence.

Why does this happen more in communities of color?

There’s no simple answer, but there’s a pattern of reasons. It’s tied to long-standing issues like racism, poverty, segregation, and lack of opportunity. Over the years, many of these communities have faced unfair policies and a lack of resources, making them more vulnerable to violence.

It’s not just about the violence itself, it’s also about how hard it is for these communities to recover. Schools might not have the resources they need, mental health services might be lacking, and there are fewer job opportunities. These problems don’t go away overnight, and often, they get passed down through generations.

The ripple effect

Gun violence doesn’t just hurt the person who gets shot, it affects everyone around them. A shooting can ripple out and leave lasting effects across families, schools, and the entire neighborhood. Kids can’t concentrate in school, parents live in constant worry, local businesses close etc. These things pile up and make it harder for the community to thrive.

What are community solutions to this?

The good news is that people in these communities are already doing a lot to make things better. Local groups, youth programs, and organizations led by people who know the community are doing amazing work to stop violence before it happens. These efforts focus on prevention, like teaching kids about conflict resolution, providing job training, and offering mental health support.

Instead of only relying on police, many of these programs work on healing and supporting the community. They bring people together to figure out what can work best for individuals and create safer spaces.

The voices of people who live in these neighborhoods need to be at the table when decisions are made. They understand the problem better than anyone and often have the best ideas for how to solve it.

Final Thoughts

Gun violence in communities of color is a drastic problem, but it’s not something we have to accept. It’s the result of years of unfair treatment. With the right investments and support, it can change.

We need to listen to the people who are affected the most, push for real changes, and support community-led solutions. By doing this, we can help create safer, healthier neighborhoods for everyone.

Spokane organizations that can help guide you where to start:

Register to attend this FREE Excelsior Wellness Firearm Violence Prevention Conference on May 21st. 

• Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) - Behavioral Health Resources: Mental health services, including support for those affected by trauma.

• The Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center - Community Support & Empowerment: Programs for youth and advocacy in underrepresented Spokane communities.

• The Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS) - Advocacy and Community Engagement: Focuses on social justice, peace, and the root causes of violence.

• Washington State Department of Health - Gun Violence Prevention Programs: Programs and grants for reducing gun violence across Washington State.

• Spokane Alliance - community members working in making our shared home a better place to live and thrive.