Last Monday night, November 20th 13-year-old Sandra Parks was killed by a stray bullet as she watched television in her bedroom in her Milwaukee home. She said to her mother, “Mama, I’m shot.” Two years ago Sandra won third place in a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. contest for the following essay. After reading it, it left me wondering what this remarkable young girl would have gone on to accomplish if she hadn’t fallen victim to the senseless gun violence that plagues our nation. In tribute to this young life taken much too soon, I’d like to share it with you.
By Hook Or By Book 
Reblogged this on The BookWorm Drinketh and commented:
As always, my friend Kim brings something to my attention that just makes me question fate, my faith in humanity and the choices people make that affect so many lives..
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I hope you don’t mind that I had to reblog this. As always, you open my eyes. It’s a tragedy. I hope that you’re ok. I know how profoundly these things affect you. Try to keep well. 💖
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Of course not Nicole. As horrible as it is, it’s a story that should be shared. I cried my eyes out when I first read the essay. I think she was someone who would have helped make this world a better place.😞
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Yup. Just finished crying my eyes out as I reblogged it. Took me a good 10 mins or so before I could write what I wanted and hit reblog!
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I know how you feel. I’m sorry I made you cry.
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Such true words from the mouth or a babe. What a tragedy, and it is always the one’s who could have such a promising and impactful future that are taken to early from us. R.I.P to that precious little girl.
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Indeed. It’s incredible that she wrote that essay when she was only 11. What a horrible loss.
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sigh
It’s not likely to change in the next 6 years. Yellow hair will be reelected, you know.
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No it’s not. I’m hoping the Democrats can get their act together, but I’m not counting on it.🙇🏻♀️
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So horrible
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I know. Such a waste.
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This truly breaks my heart.
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This country is a disaster right now Vinnie.
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I sure hope the future gets brighter.
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That would be nice.
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😕
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Sigh.😞
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Very moving, and such a beautiful child. Many thanks for posting this, Kim.
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I definitely can’t say it was my pleasure John, but Sandra’s story can’t be shared enough.
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Couldn’t agree more. I tweeted your post. The more people hear about this tragedy the better.
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Thanks John.
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Thank you for sharing.
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Sandra’s story should be shared as much as possible Jay.
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I shared it today, too. I can’t believe this still happens.
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It’s never ending Jay.😞
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If this is what she wrote at the age of 11.. I can’t even imagine what a wonderful woman she would have become. May her soul rest In peace.
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Yep. I have a feeling she would have made a huge difference in the world.
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So sad. Such a loss of potential and life.
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Indeed.😞
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Kim, I have no words worthy, but I had to comment to thank you for posting. ♥️
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It’s difficult to respond to a story like this Jennifer. I knew as soon as I read it though I had to do my part to make sure this incredible girl’s message was passed on.
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This is so heartbreaking. I suppose we can best honor Sandra by living her values and working diligently to make her hope and faith in the future come true. But it’s hard to do when we can’t even keep our children safe. 😦
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It’s difficult not to give in to those feelings of helplessness at times.
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Goddamn it. 😥😢
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Yep.😞
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Reblogged this on My Brain Has A Mind Of Its Own .
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I hadn’t heard of this tragic story. It highlights what is often referred to as ‘collateral damage’, and is a telling example of allowing the unrestricted ownership of firearms in a country with a ‘gun culture’.
Sad indeed.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s such a waste Pete.😞
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A great tragedy, Kim.
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Too many of these Roberta.
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I don’t have the answers but know we as a society can’t continue living this way. How we come together to improve lives and education and end violence, I can’t answer. I there are many that have ideas if we could get thinkers together without the political BS imagine what we could do and the type of country we could be. Thanks for sharing.
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All I know is that there are no easy answers.
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Thanks for your post. The girl is a really talented writer for her age.
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It’s incredible that she wrote this when she was only 11. What a loss!
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This absolutely breaks my heart and uplifts it at the same time. I watched a twenty-three year-old man today attempt to kill himself by jumping in front of a speeding train. He was pulled back by a stranger and talked to by me! I want to think I helped convince him life is worth living, as did the man who saved his life. I wish I could have showed him this story… Thank you for posting this, Kim.
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I know exactly how you feel K’lee. I think she would have gone on to make a huge impact on the world.
Thank goodness you and the other person were there to help that poor man. This time of year is so difficult for so many people. You did a wonderful and compassionate thing. I wish there were more people like you.🤗
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Thanks, Kim. I’m glad I was able to talk with him. I hope it helped. Wish I could have thanked the man who actually pulled him back from jumping. Such a brave and selfless thing to do.
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We are losing our greatest resource as a nation and really a species by not curtailing this issue ;_’
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You’re absolutely right.
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This is just devastating and breaks my heart into pieces bit thank you for sharing so we can remember. ❤🤧😢
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We need more like her.😞
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😢
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