BANG! Patricia Smith, “Undertaker”

If you are an average 18-year-old in the U.S. …

… you’ve seen 40,000 murders on TV.

About half the video games you buy show killing and violence.

Every two and a half hours in the United States, …

… a young person is murdered. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL MASSACRE APRIL 20, 1999

If you are young and African American, …

… you are more likely to die by homicide than any other cause. Homicides Deaths Caused by Homicide (per 100,000 people) White Hispanic African American Victims (age 15–34)

LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL GRID STAR GUNNED DOWN BY GANGBANGERS MARCH 2, 2008

There are 270 million registered and unregistered guns in the U.S. …

… for 300 million people.

The U.S. has more guns than many other nations Guns per 100 people Australia Canada United Kingdom Germany Mexico United States Number of Guns

And there are more murders in the U.S. than in many other countries Gun Homicide Rate (per 100,000 people) Australia Canada United Kingdom Germany Mexico United States Gun Homicides

VIOLENCE We’re surrounded by it.

Is violence the solution— or the problem?

Is there violence in the headlines where you live? “Three Teens Charged in Youth’s Beating Death” What do people in your school fight about? “Boy, 15, Dies in School Shooting” What would you do to make your community a more peaceful place? “Gang Rape Raises Questions About Role of Bystanders” Should violent video games and TV shows be restricted? “Flash Mobs Take Violent Turn” Describe a time when violence touched your life. “Racial Slurs Preceded Deadly Attack” Is there violence in the headlines where you live? “Three Teens Charged in Youth’s Beating Death” What do people in your school fight about? “Boy, 15, Dies in School Shooting” What would you do to make your community a more peaceful place? “Gang Rape Raises Questions About Role of Bystanders” Should violent video games and TV shows be restricted? “Flash Mobs Take Violent Turn” Describe a time when violence touched your life. “Racial Slurs Preceded Deadly Attack” Is there violence in the headlines where you live? “Three Teens Charged in Youth’s Beating Death” What do people in your school fight about? “Boy, 15, Dies in School Shooting” What would you do to make your community a more peaceful place? “Gang Rape Raises Questions About Role of Bystanders” Should violent video games and TV shows be restricted? “Flash Mobs Take Violent Turn” Describe a time when violence touched your life. “Racial Slurs Preceded Deadly Attack” Is violence the solution— or the problem? put your voice on record RAWWRITE