Claire Davis. Trayvon Martin. Michael Brown. Diallo. Sandy Hook Elementary. That Dark Night in Aurora. Jordan Davis. Oscar Grant. Kendrick Johnson. Sean Bell. Hadya Pendleton.

They have one thing in common: They were killed by a gun. Behind the lost lives and the resulting anger, pain and protests, isn’t just a black-vs-white issue, dementia, or police brutality issue; but the deep, deep problem of gun violence in this country. Responding with more violence won’t solve it. Until we come together as a community and realize that we’re all affected – it won’t stop. I do believe in the right to bear arms, but guns are too freely available, there are too many of them on the streets in the hands of too many people who don’t value human life.

I have a three year old son and refuse to stand by idly and live a life defined by fear of tragedy.

I verbalize my pain best through song and this is a Wake Up Call.