US Mothers Fighting Against Gun Violence
Tracy Tate, a mother from Columbus, Ohio, lost her son Jaleel to gun violence in 2020. The story that unfolds after her son's killing shows the immense weight of grief, the continued ripple effects of violence, and the complexity of life after such immense loss. Tracy is not alone in her grief – the gun homicide rate in the United States increased 35% in the first year of the pandemic.
While grappling with her loss, Tracy finds support and community through Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC). This group was co-founded by Malissa Thomas-St.Clair in response to a record-breaking number of homicides in Columbus during 2020 and 2021. Malissa’s own son was murdered in 2013 and she has since channeled her pain into providing resources to other women who have experienced losing a child to homicide.
Together, Tracy and Malissa honor their children by standing up against the rising gun violence in their city.
Directed, Produced, and Edited by Lauren Santucci and Christiana Botic for Al Jazeera Close Up
Director of Photography: Lauren Santucci
Second Camera: Christiana Botic