Chicago Violence: By the Numbers

Here in Chicago, we come second to none. Especially when it comes to being apathetic about killing ourselves. Last weekend’s totals?

9 killed. 46 wounded.

Monday morning tallies of gun violence casualties have become such a staple in our lives that we chit chat about them as matter-of-factly as we do the weather. Maybe it’s time to add a little relatable perspective to the numbers for those of you who feel unaffected by the statistics:

46: Packages of strawberries purchased at the Lincoln Park Whole Foods this hour

9: Average number of moldy strawberries per package that buyer will eventually throw away

46: Times that dude carrying three suitcases and a ukelele case tried swiping his Ventra card at the turn style while you were running late

9: New Amazon Prime purchases this afternoon

46: All-straight-middle/upperclass-white-male improv groups that broke up this month

9: Number of people from said improv groups who secretly decided to form a duo instead

46: New members of Taylor Swift’s squad

9: Times you repeated your name to the Starbucks barista this morning

9:  Times he got it wrong

46: "Likes" on various social media forums when you posted about said Starbucks incident before letting the whole thing go

9: Moments of doubtful deliberation regarding who you should invite to see Straight Outta Compton

46: Red light and speeding camera tickets you refuse to pay based on principle

9: Number of racist high school acquaintances you still haven't unfriended on Facebook

46: Self-inflicted bite marks per catcall on your tongue while waiting for the Ashland bus, pretty lady

9: Times you looked over your shoulder while walking home after 9pm from the California Blue Line

46: Articles you've read about gun violence, redlining, and disinvestment...but never shared

Once you decide Chicago homicide stories are worthy of trending, don't just "looks like rain again today" it out of a conversation. Figure the figures into your everyday life, or you'll continue calculating how quickly apathy can add up.

Atra Asdou is a writer/performer based in Chicago. She recently performed through The Second City Training Center’s Severn Darden Graduate Program in the show “No Selfie Control.”