Absence
The United States has recorded its highest increase in homicides in modern history, rising 30% between 2019 and 2020, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rochester, New York, hit a record-high number of homicides in 2021, totaling to 81. Gun violence in Rochester has been forced into a way of life, but many people are fighting back to mitigate the tragedies. The fact that the issue will not be solved overnight is acknowledged, but through the community uplifting each other, long after a funeral or vigil, hope is coming back alive. Rochester is referred to as a “warzone” by its outsiders due to its increase in violence. Below a layer of stereotypes, there is a community vibrant and full of life, rebounding from tragedy.