Traumas of a Community
“ ! e narrative has to change,” he said. “Whether the answer arrives at any instant moment or not, it’s about moving towards that goal.”While the pandemic has postponed most of the organization’s events by at least a year, Smith says his team is still working to " nd approaches that allow them to better engage with the community. “We feel we are responsible for the community and the families connected to it. We need to work on behalf of the people represented in this area.” Smith and his team are meeting with leaders throughout Toledo and surrounding areas to continue fostering conversations around the most prevalent topics and issues within the community. “We believe this aids in redeveloping the community. At the end of the day, we’re committed. We have to take whatever the circumstances are and still be able to build. We have to be in it for the long haul.”
Heavy opioid use in the area is another area that requires more attention. “It doesn’t generate a healthy population, and this a # ects so many other areas. If there’s gun violence or drug abuse in one part of the community, that tends to a # ect all of the community, not just one speci " c area.” Smith likened the spread of drug misuse to the situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic. While the problem a # ects certain populations and communities di # erently, it still has impacts that a # ect the nation as a whole. “People are losing jobs. People have lost loved ones, and people are concerned about their families and their health.” Smith said dealing with the resulting loss from both a pandemic and the traumas of a community burdened with opioid misuse is further motivation to seek solutions across a multitude of platforms.
“PEOPLE ARE LOSING JOBS. PEOPLE HAVE LOST LOVED ONES, AND PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR HEALTH”
- Robert Smith, Founding Director of the African-American Legacy Project
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