What Now?

by Marbella Washington-Allen

After Monday’s gathering at Compton City Hall—where Mayor Emma Sharif, community leaders, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., clergy, and concerned residents stood together to condemn the recent violence—the question remains:

Now what?

Public statements have been made. Prayers have been offered. Community leaders have pledged their support. But after the microphones are turned off and everyone returns home, the real work begins. The families who lost loved ones will still be grieving, and the community will still be searching for answers.

In her official statement, Mayor Emma Sharif extended her heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the three individuals who lost their lives. After personally meeting with members of the victims’ families, she acknowledged that their pain is unimaginable and reaffirmed that violence has no place in Compton. She also pledged that the City will continue working alongside law enforcement and community members to help build a safer community for everyone. The Mayor further urged anyone with information about these crimes to come forward by contacting the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau or submitting anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.

Those are important words.

Now comes the difficult part—turning those words into lasting action.

Are We Tired Yet?

Tired of watching mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends stand before cameras speaking about loved ones in the past tense.

As the list of lives lost to gun violence in the City of Compton continues to grow, it now includes Meah Bordenave-Jenkins, Eric Washington, and another victim whose family is now living an unimaginable nightmare. Behind every name is a family forever changed, a future cut short, and a community searching for answers.

The pain expressed by families extends far beyond this latest tragedy. Responding to a message posted by sociologist Mars Hill (@Dr.Mrs.Hill on TikTok), one grieving father shared a heartbreaking reminder that gun violence often claims the lives of people who had no involvement in gangs or street activity. He wrote:

“My son was killed in Compton at a graduation pool party that he was catering at his mother’s house on June 7, 2024. He had his own trucking company. No street affiliation. He was also going to Cypress College for cybersecurity. The senseless murders need to stop.”

His words are a reminder that behind every homicide is far more than a police report. There is an unfinished dream, an empty seat at the dinner table, and a family whose lives have been changed forever. His son was not defined by violence. He was an entrepreneur, a college student, and a young man building a future. In an instant, that future was taken away.

The July 4 shootings once again forced us to confront a painful reality:

How Much Longer Will We Tolerate the Violence Destroying Our Own Neighborhoods?

Among those weighing in on the tragedy was sociologist and former Compton resident Mars Hill (@Dr.Mrs.Hill on TikTok). Deeply troubled by the senseless loss of life—a reality she also experienced growing up in Compton—she challenged Black America to stop accepting violence as an unavoidable part of everyday life and instead confront it with the same determination used to fight every other injustice.

She asked a question that deserves an answer:

“When will Black America declare war on the random shooters terrorizing our communities and finally say, ‘This is unacceptable. Enough is enough.’”

She also offered a sobering reflection:

“We should be ashamed and disgusted with ourselves.”

Her words were not spoken to divide us, but to awaken us. They were a call for accountability, unity, and action—reminding us that waiting for someone else to save our communities is no longer an option.

We must become part of the solution.

This is not just a law enforcement issue.

It is a community issue.

It is a moral issue.

Technology is not the problem.

People are.

And people must become the solution.

Real change will require more than press conferences and prayer vigils. It will require stronger families, mentorship, education, economic opportunity, jobs, mental health support, community investment, and accountability for those who continue to terrorize our neighborhoods. It will also require residents to stand with law enforcement by reporting those responsible for these crimes so justice can be served and future tragedies prevented.

History will not remember how many speeches we gave.

It will remember what we did.

So after the meetings end, the cameras leave, and the headlines fade, one question still remains:

Are We Tired Yet?

If the answer is yes, then now is the time for unity, leadership, and action—because the next life we save may belong to someone we love.

The Mayor has pledged that the City will continue working with community members to build a safer Compton.

Now it is up to all of us—parents, faith leaders, educators, businesses, organizations, law enforcement, and residents—to turn that commitment into action.

Because a safer Compton will not be built by government alone.

It will be built by a community that decides enough is enough.

The Mayor has spoken.

Community leaders have spoken.

Mars Hill (@Dr.Mrs.Hill on TikTok) has spoken.

The families have cried out through their pain.

Now the question belongs to every resident of Compton.

What are we willing to do so that another family doesn’t have to bury another son, daughter, mother, father, brother, or sister?

Are We Tired Enough to Change?