70-Foot-Long Quilt Memorializing Lives Lost To Gun Violence In Durham On Exhibit

DURHAM, NC – The Durham Homicide and Victims of Violent Death Memorial Quilt went on display Thursday, November 18 at the Durham County Courthouse. This quilt will be on display at the front of the courthouse (510 S Dillard St.) until December 26th to memorialize its victims and remind others of the constant war taking place. Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead and his office is sponsoring this exhibit to help bring awareness to the community. For Durham to see change, everyone must work together to prevent these senseless acts from happening.

Sidney Brodie, the creator of the quit began making it in 1994 after the senseless killing of two-year-old Shaquanna Attwater. She was struck by a stray bullet as she played outside in a public housing community. At the time, Brodie was a 911 operator and knew from that moment the violence must stop.

The quilt is more than 70 feet long with 909 names to memorialize the lives lost to Durham’s gun violence. A small group of volunteers help monitor the news in Durham and add names to the quilt to honor victims. The Durham Homicide Memorial Quilt accounts for every murder victim in Durham County since 1994 with no regard to race. However, the majority of victims on the quilt are disproportionately African American males.

The beauty of the quilt is overshadowed by the heartbreaking stories behind it. Today, this quilt stands as a tangible representation of the countless acts of violence that took the lives of many. It will remind viewers of the destruction that continues to terrorize the city.

“The only way we can stop this violence in Durham is to do it together. It’s going to take us having faith over fear,” said Tammy Goodman, the mother of Charleston Goodman, whose life was taken to gun violence. As the families of the victims spoke on their pains, it should serve as a cry for help; change must happen.

Sheriff Birkhead stated, “These men and women standing with me [Sheriff’s Deputies] are committed to doing our part working with the Durham Police Department, city leaders, and private cooperations to give these young men and women who are committing these crimes a chance to change”. All speakers could agree that the entire city must work as a collective to put an end to the violence.

The purpose of this effort is to memorialize the victims of violent death in Durham, NC. Its creation also intends to bring a vivid and tangible awareness to the citizens of Durham as well as local and state officials of an impending public health crisis in Durham regarding gun violence. Partnering with all relevant diverse voices for change is the intention of the artist with regard to the movement of the Durham Homicide and Victims of Violent Death Memorial Quilt.