By Lourdes Vázquez

A Bolingbrook High School freshman was accidentally shot and killed while playing Russian roulette. The victim, Tatiana Cannon, believed the gun wasn’t loaded.

“Unfortunately it was loaded and when he aimed it at Tatiana and fired, it struck her,” J.R. Strickland, a friend of Cannon said. “It was just something that should have been avoided all together.”

Cannon died a week before her 14th birthday.

In remembrance of those Chicago Public School (CPS) students killed by violence, students from Mitchell Elementary School created an ofrenda or an alter during the Day of The Dead.
(Photo courtesy of CPS)

According to the Chicago Police Department, there have been 256 homicides this year. Homicide rates are up and youth violence has increased. In this school year alone, 13 Chicago Public School students have been killed, said CPS spokesperson, Michael Vaughn.

According to Francisco Pérez, director of outreach services for CeaseFire – an evidence-based public health approach to reducing shootings and killings – the surge of violence is a result of the failed economy and the budget cuts throughout various agencies.

“All of these are sociable issues contributing to the spike in violence,” Pérez said. “I have no doubt that if we had the man power, we would be able to have an impact in the city of Chicago.”

Chicago Police Department Juvenile Division officer Sgt. Burke attributes the increase to drugs and gangs, but also the home life of students.

“Some [students] come from single family homes,” said Sgt. Burke “[They] don’t have the nuclear family.”
Strickland worked alongside Chris Porter, Nailah Simms, Alijah Villian and Jerry Strickland on a Ceasefire documentary, produced by Four-Sixteen, Strickland’s production company. The group went to a West Side neighborhood block party to take back the streets for one day and rid it of drugs and gangs.

“It was a block party for kids and families that barely even see their own street,” Strickland said. “If we just stop glorifying these weapons then we can start to see that decrease in violence we desperately need.”

Although Strickland believes parents are not the only ones responsible for the violence, he said that everyone has an obligation to speak out against guns whenever they have the chance.

In remembrance of those CPS students killed by violence, teacher Julie Toole and students from Mitchell Elementary School created an ofrenda or an alter during the Day of the Dead.

“[Mitchell] wanted to honor students whose lives had been cut too short due to gun violence,” Anitra Schulte, CPS spokesperson said.

Students became inspired after visiting the Mexican Fine Arts Museum exhibit on the Day of the Dead.

Although school could appear to be a safe haven from violence, that is not always the case.

Continue reading Youth Violence Continues to Increase

By Silvana Tabares

The Mexican Civic Society of Illinois celebrated the 98th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution with the only surviving son of Pancho Villa, Don Ernesto Nava Villa, during a reception at the National Museum of Mexican Art on Nov. 19.

Don Ernesto Nava Villa, 93 and his son Raul Nava 51, said they were both honored to commemorate Mexican history with Chicago residents.

The Mexican Civic Society of Illinois commemorated the 98th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution with Don Ernesto Nava Villa, Pancho Villa's only surviving son.
Photo: Silvana Tabares / EXTRA

“It was a great pleasure to be representing my father tonight,” Don Ernesto Nava Villa said. “I would like to thank and extend my gratitude to those that continue to hold my father in [their] memory.”
Susana Nava was one among those that attended the reception to learn more about the life of the revolutionary icon.

“Pancho Villa was a hero for the Mexican people,” she said.
Villa, a Mexican revolutionary leader, was an iconic figure that stole from the rich to help the poor. Eduardo Rodríguez, president of the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois, said it is important to remember the history of the Mexican Revolution.

“Our children [need] know where they come from and understand the history of both countries, [the U.S. and México],” Rodríguez said.

When Don Ernesto Nava Villa was a young boy, his mother told him never to tell anyone he was the son of Villa, due to fear of retaliation.

Finish reading The Son of Pancho Villa: Legacy of a Mexican revolutionary general