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Printer-Friendly ModeCity violence hits home
July 19, 2005 —
A week filled with murder and gang violence has the city of Saginaw scrambling for answers and seeking help. Shootings on Wednesday and Thursday left three dead and lead to the rehiring of two officers and assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The rash of violence comes in the wake of uproar and mudslinging within the city council and the city residents are left suffering from all of it.
Meanwhile, it seems we at SVSU are distancing ourselves from the city conflict, citing our residency in Kochville Township as the reason that, "it's not our problem." Much like Saginaw Township does, we ignore and avoid the city as if it were the black sheep of the family-the evil step-sister.
But in response to the recent violence, maybe it's time we too start looking for ways to make Saginaw a better place for everyone. This University is not Kochville Township State University, it is Saginaw Valley State University and everything bad that happens in Saginaw has negative connotations for us.
Besides, despite our township status, these murders are taking place only a handful of miles from where we sleep, work and go to school. For many of us who grew up in small towns, the idea of three murders in two nights just a few miles from home would be unthinkable.
So why do we seem to permit it here in Saginaw without much fuss?
We should care what happens in the city for the same reasons we care about what happens in Rwanda or Somalia: bad things are happening to fellow human beings and that is simply not tolerable. When news of gang violence reaches our ear, we should pay attention. When council members start laying off police officers, we should let our voices be heard. When kids start killing kids and innocent people lose their lives, we should set a course of action and do everything in our power to try and keep it from ever happening again.
Great effort needs to be made to invest in today's youth and there is no better place to start than close to home. If each SVSU student offered just a little-be it time or money, effort or idea, to the city of Saginaw we would make great strides in improving the area around us. Join Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity. Give to the local United Way or volunteer at the YMCA. These are relatively small things that could mean a great deal. As the saying goes, "if everyone gives a little, that adds up to a lot."
SVSU is certainly a first rate institution with wonderful students, faculty and staff. Yet we need to do everything in our power to start improving the "Saginaw" portion of our name. After all, no matter if you're located in Kochville Township or Los Angeles, murder and violence anywhere occurs far too close to home.