On Sunday, I was outside the Hudson home gathering information for a report that night.
Dozens of people milled around outside there. Journalists, community members, and those who'd come to show their respects.
A man came up to me and asked me what the newest information was. I told him what I knew.
He told me that he knew the Hudson family. He knew Jennifer Hudson. They went to the same church.
"She was an Englewood Idol long before she was an American Idol," he said.
Then, he challenged me. "Would you even be here if it weren't dealing with Jennifer Hudson's family," he asked?
Honestly, the question threw me off for a second. But the answer was yes. He told me I was lying to him.
The story, beyond the obvious national appeal of a celebrity involved, was a tragic local story. A story that we in Chicago are telling far too often this year.
A dedicated mother and a brother were shot dead in their home. A little boy was missing and a family was grieving.
Of course, the Chicago stations would cover that. There was a missing child at the time who needed to be found.
That's part of our job.
Later, it dawned on me how no one in the neighborhood went to investigate the gun shots they apparently heard Friday morning. The bodies weren't discovered until 6 hours after it happened.
There's no doubt that Chicago journalists grow a thick skin covering tragedy on almost a daily basis.
I wish I could find that man again and ask him what we could do together so those in the Englewood neighborhood didn't feel as numb to gun shots as they do.
I'll do my part, will you do yours?
Comments (3)
Why did the killer take Jason Hudson's truck?
Is the police investigating the mother of Julian King?
Didn't Jason drive Julia to and from work everyday?
Was the Chicago schools out on the day of the killings?
Did Julia have to work?
Did Julia live with her mother and brother and son?
If not, how often did Julia visit her mothers house?
Just a few questions, no harm ment
Posted by Anonymous | November 6, 2008 4:35 PM
Posted on November 6, 2008 16:35
why don't anyone say anything about the little boys parents
Posted by Anonymous | October 30, 2008 11:42 AM
Posted on October 30, 2008 11:42
Hey Jennifer I feel your pain I have had a couple of people to die in my family.
Posted by Dion Austin | October 29, 2008 8:35 AM
Posted on October 29, 2008 08:35