In Memory of Jayden Perkins
Community Renewal Society (CRS) shares our deep condolences with the saddening news of another senseless act of cruelty. We extend our heavy hearts to those grieving alongside us.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
It is unimaginable to consider the brutality that stole the life of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins (some media outlets have spelled the minor’s name as Jaydone) of Edgewater, who died from multiple stab wounds to the chest while shielding his mother. Perkins’ mother, 8-months pregnant, remains hospitalized in critical condition. A 5-year-old sibling was at the home during this unfathomable attack and has survived without injuries. Still, we must consider the moral injury and trauma this child endures having witnessed such violence against a sibling and parent.
We pray for the surviving family members, Pierce Elementary School community, and the village that loves and supports Perkins, an accomplished dancer, thespian, and sixth grade student at Pierce Elementary.
We pray for a mother in her delicate recovery and healing process as she and her surviving children mourn a tremendous loss that has broken our hearts. We uphold the entire Chicagoland family as we continue to work together to dismantle cultures of violence that harm the humanity of our children and threaten their future and hope.
Every child deserves to prosper and live a life without fear of harm, albeit from domestic violence, racialized violence, homophobia, poverty, bigotry, police brutality, or the breaches in our systems of law that would allow the killer of young Perkins to be released endangering innocent lives.
We feel the weight of this tragedy just as we continue to feel the weight of the untimely loss of Hadiya Pendleton, Adam Toledo, Laquan McDonald, Jean Carlos Martinez, and too many of our beloved children whose precious lives were stolen by harsh realities of violence in our society. We cannot allow such violence to be normalized as a standard headline on the news. We cannot afford to change the channel or switch tabs on our screens. Perkins mattered. Our children are present and here in our midst right now and they matter. They are indisputably our future, and they are our very present hope. We must be theirs and work collectively to support and protect them.
The sentiments expressed by Perkins’ classmates hailing him as an intelligent role model, loyal friend, and inspiration offers some comfort to know his young legacy is not extinguished. Ella Baker said our children are strong enough to take us through the gale. I believe this is true. And I believe our children do not deserve the test of violence, trauma, and loss to reveal their brave resilience.
Please remain engaged with CRS and committed to our on-going work for love, peace, and justice as we keep fervent prayers for the family, classmates, and Beloved Community of young Perkins. May his memory be an everlasting light and an indelible emblem of hope.
To me young people come first, they have
courage where we fail. And if I can but shed
some light as they carry us through the gale.
The older I get, the better I know that the
secret of my going on,
Is when the reins are in the hands of the
young, who dare us to run against the storm.
– Ella’s Song by Sweet Honey in the Rock
With sincerest sympathy,
Rev. Dr. Waltrina N. Middleton
Executive Director
And the staff of Community Renewal Society
RESOURCE