Michelle Obama Talks Gun Violence with Students at Home in Chicago by Chicago Tribune, Adapted by Newsela Staff on 04.12.13 Word Count 984

Home , A New Beginning, Sunny (dog)

Michelle Obama talks gun violence with students at home in Chicago By Chicago Tribune, adapted by Newsela staff on 04.12.13 Word Count 984

First lady Michelle Obama speaks at an event bringing her "Let's Move" campaign to Chicago's public schools on Feb. 28, 2013. Photo: Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune/MCT

As politicians in Washington took a step toward tightening the nation's gun laws on Wednesday, ﬁrst lady Michelle Obama sat down with Chicago high school students whose stories about violence brought her to tears.

Before the meeting began at Harper High School, Obama said she wanted to hear from each of the 22 students representing youth programs at the school and that she had as much time as they needed to take. She had come home to Chicago, she said, to do a lot of listening.

So for two hours, the ﬁrst lady sat in the second-ﬂoor library, away from the news media, as students told story after story about the challenges of dodging bullets, avoiding gangs and – the thing they cannot take for granted – staying alive. A Tearful Meeting

According to the students, the ﬁrst lady wanted to know how many of them had been affected by gun violence. Every one of them told her they had, said Ta'taleisha Jones, a 16-year-old who attended the meeting.

"She said, 'Have you ever experienced a family member hurt or killed?' I told her, 'Yeah.' When she was talking about how her life was and how we changed her, she got real emotional. I was like 'Wow, we see the first lady crying.' Tears were coming out her eyes," said Ta'taleisha. A second student confirmed that the first lady cried during the meeting.

Before entering the private meeting, the ﬁrst lady talked to the students about growing up in a small apartment in Chicago's South Shore community. She was no different than they, working hard in school, trying not to listen to the haters and taking care of her business, she said. "One of the reasons why I like to talk to kids, especially from my city, is to make sure all of you know that there isn't much distance between me and you. There really is not," the ﬁrst lady said.

But the students noted a difference between then and now, Ta'taleisha said. "She said (there) wasn't really that much violence back in the day," she said, adding that the students told Obama that life had changed a lot – for the worse. In her third visit to the city this year, Obama sent a clear message that she does not plan to sit on the sidelines and watch Chicago's children become victims of street violence.

Taking It Personally

Speaking earlier in the day to a group of business, civic and religious leaders at a downtown hotel, she said the issue is personal. "I'm here today because Chicago is my home," said Obama, her voice cracking with emotion. "When it comes to ensuring the health and development and success of young people in this city, for me, this is my passion, it is my mission. And for me, this is personal because my story would not be possible without this city."

Meanwhile, in Washington, President Barack Obama applauded Senate leaders for reaching an agreement on requiring background checks for gun purchases. But he said the measure still faces a ﬁght in Congress. More and more, the ﬁrst lady has put anti-violence messages in her speeches, particularly in her visits to Chicago. Like President Obama often does, she stressed the need for Congress to at least take a vote on gun control measures.

Hand On Heart

At a luncheon hosted by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the ﬁrst lady gave the gun issue a personal tone by recalling her attendance at the funeral of 15-year- old Hadiya Pendleton in February. Hadiya's parents, seated in the audience, cried as the ﬁrst lady spoke about their daughter, who was shot to death in a park a mile away from the Obamas' Chicago house. Obama, her voice cracking with emotion and her hand placed near her heart, said Hadiya's story reminded her of her own.

"As I visited with the Pendleton family at Hadiya's funeral, I couldn't get over how familiar they felt to me. Because what I realized was Hadiya's family was just like my family. Hadiya Pendleton was me, and I was her," Obama said. "But I got to grow up, and go to Princeton and Harvard Law School, and have a career and a family and the most blessed life I could ever imagine," she said. "... Hadiya's family did everything right, but she still didn't have a chance."

Obama wondered what might have been different for the two young men charged with her slaying. "What if, instead of roaming around with guns, boys like them had access to a computer lab or a community center or some decent basketball courts? Maybe everything would have turned out differently."

The luncheon was set up by Emanuel to gather support for a plan called Working Together for Safer Communities, Brighter Futures. The campaign, launched in February, calls for business leaders and others to raise $50 million over the next ﬁve years to create or expand community programs for at-risk youths. Already, the group has received pledges of $33 million.

Scared On A Sunny Day

In choosing Harper High School for the visit, the White House noted that 29 current or former students there had been shot in the last year, eight of them fatally. Outside Harper, students lingered in the neighborhood hoping to get a glimpse of the ﬁrst lady's limo. Some expressed disappointment that she did not address the entire student body. But those who got to meet her said they left with the feeling that someone really cares about them.

"I shared with her that I would stay inside, in 85-degree sunny weather, because I'm scared walking down the street. I fear for my life. I feel today could be my last day," said Ronald Ligon, 16. "She said she would do everything in her power to stop the violence that goes on. I know that she really do care. Now I feel this is a new beginning for me." Quiz

1 What is the purpose of Working Together for Safer Communities, Brighter Futures?

(A) to raise money for community programs for youngsters

(B) to install fences around parks for protection

(D) to collect guns from community members

2 What MOST LIKELY caused Michelle Obama to cry during her interview with several students?

(A) She learned about the death of a student whose family she knew.

(B) She was upset that Congress had not yet passed a law on gun control.

(D) She had lost a family member to gun violence while growing up in Chicago.

3 According to the article, how would a community center with a computer lab BEST affect Chicago neighborhoods?

(A) It would prevent gun violence by engaging youngsters positively.

(B) It would allow teachers to give computer assignments for homework.

(D) It would give students a place to meet and share their stories about violence.

4 Which sentence from the article provides the strongest evidence of the need for stricter gun laws? 5 As a result of Mrs. Obama’s visit to Harper High School, what is MOST LIKELY to happen?

(A) Gun violence will be brought under control by local law enforcement.

(B) Future speakers will be invited to the school to share personal experiences.

(D) People will continue to donate money to programs for at-risk youth in the community. Answer Key