PLATFORM : Turn Off Violence

The real efforts ought to be in eliminating--or toning down--the violence shown on our television screens. Exposure to violence can elicit violent behavior in people of all ages. Too many loved ones have died because of drive-by shootings or because access to a gun was so easy that a child accidentally shot another child, or a family member used it to resolve a dispute.

It saddens me that my daughter is missing out on the opportunity to enjoy the free and innocent childhood that my husband and I lived. We ran around our neighborhoods with friends from morning until dusk, and our parents never had to worry about our safety. The television shows on the air then had virtually no violence. My sisters, brothers and I watched programs about families that taught values--clean and wholesome--no bad language, no blood and guts.

Ending the violence that happens in our cities every day must become our absolute priority. As each day passes, it comes closer to home. A year ago this summer, the teen-age son of a former colleague of mine was shot to death by another teen-ager. What next? I hate to imagine.