The Chicago community is rallying behind Corshawnda Hatter, a mother who, along with her children, was the victim of a violent attack by students outside Orville Bright Elementary School. As captured on a widely-viewed video, Hatter and her kids were assaulted as they walked home, a distressing event that has reverberated through the South Side neighborhood.
In response to the incident, residents and local organizations are stepping forward to offer support. Jaleel Anthony, CEO of Bosses University, expressed a visceral reaction to the incident, stating in a WGN-TV interview, "When I first saw it, I said these kids need a good old school whooping, but then they’re acting this way because somewhere down the line as a community, we’ve lost what the village looks like.” Bosses University has taken initiative, requesting public donations to assist the Hatter family with clothing, toys, and other necessities. Items can be dropped off at various locations, including the Living Fresh Market in Forest Park and St. James Industrial Church in Chicago.
Hatter, who suffers from sickle cell disease, described to CBS News how the attack has left her in physical pain, but more significantly, her children are struggling with trauma. "My son, he's very devastated. He'll wake up in the middle of his sleep, screaming. He's screaming, 'Mommy are you there?'” Hatter said. The family is in the process of moving out of the South Deering neighborhood for their safety and well-being. In the wake of the attack, Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the violence and assured that the city would provide necessary support and services to Hatter and her family.
As the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Public Schools conduct investigations, Hatter's story grips the city. Her strength, in the face of such brutality, has galvanized community members and organizations alike to reinforce the tenet that no parent or child should fear walking home from school. The attack has also ignited conversations on bullying, as Hatter disclosed her son has faced harassment at the school for years. To address the trauma, Hatter is looking to secure therapy for her children and is pressing charges against the parents of the students involved. Local parents have shown solidarity, visiting the school to express their support for Hatter and to demand a stop to bullying.
The public's response underscores a communal resolve to prevent such incidents from recurring, seeking to restore a semblance of security in the fabric of the community. As Chicagoans extend their help, the collective effort not only serves immediate aid but also makes a powerful statement against violence and indifference towards those who bear the brunt of it.
