How her son's killing prompted a Manchester mum's stand against
gang law
- When
Patsy McKie’s son was killed in a gang shooting in Manchester,
it prompted her to get involved in the fight against crime
Three
years ago my life changed dramatically through the death of my son,
who was shot in Hulme, Manchester. Dorrie was a vibrant lad with a
caring heart and an undying loyalty to his friends. In fact, his death
really opened my eyes to how much he was loved by the people around
him. One of his friends told me: "He cared more for me than my
dad ever did".
Till the fatal shooting, my life – work, church, family –
was ticking over nicely. I brought up six beautiful kids, who were
doing well in university, sport and other careers. When Dorrie was
growing up, he was a much-appreciated pupil at school, with good reports
that commented especially on his character and his helpful attitude
towards the younger kids.
Then, in the third year of college, a change occurred. Life became
serious. The brother of one of his friends belonged to a gang and
was shot in the leg. Some time later, one of Dorrie’s friends
got shot in the chest and arm. It was a silly issue about a bike –
but had grave consequences on the Manchester streets.
A year later, three fatal gang shootings occurred in one week, one
of which killed my son. Dorrie, who had never been in trouble with
the police in his life, became the centre of a police enquiry through
his death.
You do not bring up children without purpose and I am convinced you
do not lose one of your kids without purpose either. For me, my pain
and my faith became a window into the Manchester society. After his
death, my house was filled with young people, parents and elderly
people who live in the neighbourhood.
Some time later, I met with a group of around 15 mothers who were
fearful for the lives of their children and who knew either a family
member or friend who had been a victim of gang shootings or other
violent acts and ‘Mothers Against Violence’ was born. Our
deepest desire is to put something back into the community. Young
people learn from us adults.
I want to know why, when children grow up, the gangs have such an
attraction despite all the violence. I have learned a lot from listening
to them. A gang is their family. There is oneness, acceptance, agreement,
and togetherness in a gang and many a time it is the only way of being
listened to and being heard.
The Gangstop march earlier this year in our city was the result of
a rising up within the community to aim for change. This was not an
isolated march; it was the beginning of something new. When Gandhi
marched in India for independence, when the mothers in Argentina marched
for their missing sons, something happens in the course of history.
Suddenly, the world sits up.
My involvement with Mothers Against Violence (MAV) has brought me
before the nation’s leaders. Tony Lloyd, MP for Manchester, arranged
a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair. We were listened to. We
talked about moral values, about the social exclusion of young, black
men and children, about family matters.
In MAV we come alongside grieving parents and parents who are concerned
that their children will be caught up in gangs. We aim to go into
schools and break the taboo about gangs and violence. We need to talk,
and, much more important, we need to listen. I am still not really
used to the idea that my son is not here. He is still so much part
of our lives. The loss we feel in our family has given me compassion
for young men. I am interested in what moves them and what they think.
Nelson Mandela once commented on the struggle in South African society
by saying: "When women begin to take an active part, no power
on earth can stop us from achieving freedom in our lifetime”.
There is an enormous strength when people come together to join their
vision, talent and energy in trying to transform a part of the hurting
society in which we live. Heaven help us if we become apathetic to
the violence, numb to the pain and deaf to the cry of the youth around
us.
In Manchester, mothers have become an active part of this struggle
with a steadfast commitment to see change come into our family and
community life.
An invaluable scripture comes from Malachi 4:6, which is key to the
resolution of the problem: "He will turn the hearts of the fathers
to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers".
There is wisdom in such age-old truths. In fact, it points to the
need for dads to also become involved in this movement for change.
It calls upon the Church to take on its parenting role towards a group
in society who feel practically orphaned. We owe it to our children
and ourselves to build a more gracious world than this.
* Patsy McKie was talking to Marijke Hoek
INFO
Patsy
lives in Hulme, Manchester, and is Chair of Mothers Against Violence,
a Manchester organisation that aims to support grieving parents, connect
with youth and engage with the politicians on the issue of gang violence
in the city. For more information, write to MAV c/o The Amani Centre,
Quinney Crescent, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4LE
HOW THE CHURCH IS INVOLVED
- Churches
and church leaders took an integral part in organising the Gangstop
march, particularly some of the black churches, since much of the
violence concerns shootings among the black youth. The pastor of
the Church of God of Prophecy, Rev Alan Simpson, spoke at the march
and is a key person in getting the local churches involved in this
community initiative.
- Manchester
Council has set up a Multi Agency Gang Strategy in which police,
probation officers, and council officials have outlined their plans
to cut down on gang crime. They work with some local churches who
have connections with young people in the area. Christian youth
workers are working hard to persuade young people to move away from
gang culture by offering other interests, objectives and achievable
goals.
- Christians
from all denominations come together for city-wide prayer meetings
where they are praying for the role of the Church and the problem
of gang violence. In addition, there is a 24/7 prayer initiative
in the city which covers several issues affecting the city, including
the gang violence.
- Prayer breakfasts bring together the political authorities, church leaders and Members of Parliament to discuss problems, exchange ideas and see how the different groups can work together to become a movement for change.
Are
you involved in changing your local community?
Mail us at info@cfnetwork.co.uk
with your story
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