Healing the Gun Violence Epidemic - Ending Violence, Rebuilding Communities, and a Trauma Surgeon’s Vision for Restoring Hope

Aug 6, 2026

Uploaded by Miles

Healing the Gun Violence Epidemic examines community gun violence through the combined lens of trauma medicine, lived experience, and critical social analysis. Selwyn O. Rogers, Jr. weaves together data and narrative about the emotional and physical damage inflicted on individuals and families, the disproportionate barriers Black men face to survive and succeed, and the societal neglect that fosters the values behind the epidemic. The book moves from diagnosis to action, arguing for relationship-centered healing and the courage to end the conditions that generate violence.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages212

Reading Time8 h 54 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Tarot Card Reader

The Stress of Trauma Is in the Present

A Prescription for Gun Violence

1: Trauma Care on Chicago’s South Side

In the Trauma Center

Time Matters

Children in the Crossfire

2: Firearm Violence, Deaths, and Injuries

America’s Relationship with Guns

Mass Shootings

Suicides

3: The Human Toll of Gun Violence

Healing Through Relationships

Would You Choose Life?

4: Despair The Trauma of Gun Violence

Firearm-Related Suicides

What Keeps Us Going

5: Ugly Truths

Racism and Gun Violence

School to Prison Pipeline

6: The Power of Relationships

Family and Conflict Resolution

Community Violence Interventions

7: AWay Forward

Next Steps

CONTENTS Title Page Praise for Healing the Gun Violence Epidemic Copyright Foreword Introduction Tarot Card Reader The Stress of Trauma Is in the Present A Prescription for Gun Violence 1: Trauma Care on Chicago’s South Side In the Trauma Center The Craziest Thing I’ve Ever Seen A Family’s Grief Time Matters Children in the Crossfire A Tale of Two Cities 2: Firearm Violence, Deaths, and Injuries America’s Relationship with Guns Why Do We Think Guns Make Us Safer? Firearm Possession Trends Firearm Mortality Trends Mass Shootings Suicides The Consequences of Firearm Injury 3: The Human Toll of Gun Violence Christmas on Call How Does It Feel? Healing Through Relationships Would You Choose Life? Pronouncing Death 4: Despair The Trauma of Gun Violence Firearm-Related Suicides What Keeps Us Going 5: Ugly Truths Redlining Racism and Gun Violence Racism in the Trauma Ward Laquan McDonald Adverse Childhood Experiences School to Prison Pipeline Looking Ahead 6: The Power of Relationships MJ Family and Conflict Resolution Becoming a Man Teachers, Schools, and Mentors Community Violence Interventions Treating Trauma in Community CVI in Chicago Mentorship 7: AWay Forward Next Steps Acknowledgments Bibliography Index About the Author About North Atlantic Books [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Healing the Gun Violence Epidemic Ending Violence, Rebuilding Communities, and a Trauma Surgeon’s Vision for Restoring Hope Selwyn O. Rogers, Jr., MD MPH [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Praise for Healing the Gun Violence Epidemic This book is the work of a skilled surgeon and storyteller who masterfully sews together data and narrative about three strands of reality that most members of American society choose not to see: the emotional and physical damage brought on by community gun violence; the enormous odds that Black men face in order to succeed—or even survive; and the malignant neglect of our society, which nurtures the corrosive values that breed the other two. —PAULA WOLFF, FORMER CHAIR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL CENTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND FOUNDER OF ILLINOIS JUSTICE PROJECT This may well be one of the most important books written over the past few decades on the issue of violence, especially gun violence in our urban areas. Dr. Selwyn Rogers, a distinguished and much-acclaimed surgeon, and an advocate and practitioner of community engagement, takes the reader on a journey into inner spaces that allows us to see the personal, individual, and family effects of gun violence, and also reveals the effects on the community and institutions immersed in violence. Not only beautifully written and heartrending in its description of individual victims and families, it is also a guide for action. Can a book about violence be poetic? This book is, but it is also pragmatic and realistic in analyzing underlying causes of violence and offering solutions that are practical and achievable. It will leave the reader sad and angry, but also hopeful and prepared to engage and travel with Dr. Rogers toward building a better future. It is a must-read! —WALTER E. MASSEY, PHD, PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF MOREHOUSE COLLEGE Selwyn Rogers is known not only for his professional excellence as the head trauma surgeon at the University of Chicago but also for his passion and commitment to his patients and his community, and to getting to the roots of violence that usually are ignored. His book demands that we look beyond the headlines, numbers, and news trucks to expose and identify the roots and causes of violence, which include poverty, racism, lack of opportunity and access to excellent education, housing, jobs, and health care, and the neglected economic development of communities most affected by violence. But Dr. Rogers challenges us that if we want to really eradicate violence, we must have the courage and, most of all,

FAQs

本书主要讨论哪些层面的枪支暴力影响？

书中从创伤医学与叙事结合的角度，讨论对个体与家庭造成的情感与身体伤害，以及对社区与机构的持续冲击。

作者如何解释枪支暴力流行背后的系统性因素？

作者将暴力根源指向贫困、种族主义、机会与优质教育、住房、工作和医疗资源不足，并强调对受影响社区的经济发展忽视。

本书提出的行动方向包含哪些重点？

书中强调需要勇气与意愿去改变滋生暴力的条件，并把关系与社区层面的介入、指导与支持作为治愈与重建的重要路径。

Aug 6, 2026

Uploaded by Miles