Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Cheryl Shockley's avatar

Our family and Jack’s friends response to the murder has been to form a foundation, Jack Shockley Warriors for Peace to address gun violence in our city. We provide scholarships to inner city students with mentors throughout high school. We partner with organizations working on the ground to bring change. As white middle class suburban we face the challenge your father faced on the night we lost Martin Luther King to gun violence. And our foundation embraces those same values- fighting for justice for those marginalized and left behind. We embrace peacemaking one person at a time beginning with ourselves and our personal commitments to forgive and grow beyond the forces that divide and stir up hatred. The example of your father and Martin Luther King Jr continue to inspire!

Expand full comment
Cheryl Shockley's avatar

My son, Jack Shockley, was murdered by a young black man August 12, 2020. It was the summer of rage, protest and “racial reckoning” after the shocking death of George Floyd. It was not that long ago but it is hard to remember the anger that turned violent in many of our nation’s cities. Indianapolis experienced destruction of life and property as anger, hatred and violence were unleashed and our civil leaders failed the moment. After the assasination of Dr King Jr, Indianapolis had the tremendous grace of benefiting from the leadership of your father. The young man who targeted and shot him at close range was born into a gang. The most notorious gang in Indianapolis. He has 6 children by 5 women. Those children will grow up without their father as he will spend the next 60 years in prison.

Expand full comment
4 more comments...

No posts