Summer Days & Yellow Tape

My name is Marwa. I was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. My parents immigrated to Canada when I was around 4 years old. They chose Toronto because it was a big enough city, with a lot of hope and promise. By all accounts, it was a great place to raise a family in. And, for the most part that was true. Great schools, people from all walks of life, and plenty to see and do. Not to mention, our harbour front is a beauty to bask in. I’ve always told people I could see myself living here for the rest of my life. Raise my own family in this beautiful city. Even through the unfortunate circumstances I’ve witnessed; the Sunrise Propane explosion in 2008 that killed 2 people, and destroyed many homes and shops in my neighbourhood, the chaotic Eaton Centre shooting in 2012 that claimed the lives of 2 people and injured 6 others, and most recently, the van attack this year at a busy intersection on Yonge Street, that killed 10 people and badly injured 15,  I managed to view all these situations as isolated ones, and did not allow it to tarnish the image I have of my city. That is until now.

Living here more than 25 years, I can honestly say I am now disgusted by the actions of many in my city, and I’m starting to view Toronto in a different light. There has been a huge increase in the amount of shootings throughout the city, claiming the lives of so many. All for what? Jenas Nyarko (May God have mercy on her soul). Unfamiliar with her name? She’s one of the city’s latest homicide victims. 31 years old, shelter worker, on her way home from a funeral. A FUNERAL! Gunned down while sitting in the back seat of her friends car, parked in front of her OWN home. Her only fault: living in a neighbourhood that has notoriously been involved in feuds with members of neighbouring blocks. Oh wait. That’s not her problem. It’s not her fault that these savages used her innocent self to send a message to a group of degenerates that just so happen to live near her. Disgusting.

Day after day, we are plagued by more bad news in the city. Gun violence is only getting worse. Just 2 days ago I heard the news of the passing of Smoke Dawg (May God have mercy on his soul). He was mostly known for his rap career and OVO affiliation, as many people anticipated him to be next up in the city. Unfortunately, we will never know his full potential, as his life was drastically cut short. Shot in broad day. Gutless. Smoke was well known for the music he put out, but before any of that he was a son, a brother, a father and a friend to many. His life ended for nothing. Absolutely nothing. All because some cowards found their way to a gun, and thought this is the only way to resolve problems and earn stripes.

You know, this is all really pathetic. In the past month, I’ve read about 5 homicides happening within 24 hours ( 4 of them shooting deaths), and countless shootings (in one case, 2 small children UNDER THE AGE OF 10 were shot). Yesterday was Canada day, and while many people were out celebrating with their families and friends watching fireworks, a few hooligans ran into Kensington Market and shot 4 people. It makes me sick to think I am living amongst these savages and lowlives. Instead of grabbing a gun, get a transit day pass and tour this beautiful city of ours. Stop investing in ski masks and vests, and start using the money to visit new land. Pick up a book. Stop terrorizing people and their families. The amount of suggestions I could provide as alternatives are unreal. But so is what’s happening. This is clearly a bigger issue that visits to the museum and Sweden cannot fix. But one way or the other, things have got to change. What kind of world do we live in where it’s routine that parents are burying their children? How can we continue to sit and watch, and hear these stories of young lives being cut short for the sake of sending messages and retaliation? A city that I once looked at as home forever, I can no longer stomach to live in. You let me down Toronto. What a shame.