![[Left] Adriana Smith next to her seven-year-old son. [Right] | Image source: April Newkirk/gofundme | Thumbnail edited on Canva.](https://dmhsherald.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HH-Thumnail-100-1200x777.png)
Gun violence is a real and serious issue plaguing people, families, and communities across America and many more countries around the world. Many lives are lost each year to this pressing issue and even if you are not one to personally experience gun violence, it is certainly a problem that affects multiple generations of individuals.
Gun violence has become a greater problem over the last few decades. Even with gun restrictions and laws, there are still statistics to show how this problem is real and not going away. But one thing we can do right now is spread awareness for the topic. Gun violence is simply an issue not talked about in schools and avoided to not bring up pain. Although this is a just reason because no one wants to be offended and upset, gun violence can’t be avoided as a topic as a whole because that wouldn’t be the reality. Bringing up this point, June is the month for gun violence awareness. Specially, a gun violence awareness day.
What is gun violence awareness? Well, this cause is for people wanting to address and bring an end to violence with firearms. Originally, this movement spread due to the death of Hadiya Pendleton, a fifteen year old who was shot then killed in Chicago on a playground shortly after performing in President Obama’s second inaugural parade as a drum majorette. The first Wear Orange Day began on June 2, 2015, Hadiya’s birthday, and her friends were the ones to start it. The color orange signifies protection because hunters wear it to protect themselves and others with them. So, as a continuation of the first day of wearing orange, now every first Friday of June individuals are encouraged nationally to wear orange. This year it is June 6, 2025.
Wearing orange is a time to think on how much gun violence has affected the nation and the world and to show you care about the cause. It may not solve the problem or mask sadness but this day is a way to honor ones who have lost their lives or who are suffering, and to take a small step in helping the major problem.
Be the one to support the day of awareness and wear orange on June 6th. And if you don’t have orange, myself and others will be passing out orange ribbons on that Friday. See you there.
