When we say Boston, many images come to mind: “Boston, Birthplace of Liberty,” or maybe “Boston, Birthplace of Modern Transportation.” It has been termed a great walking city. It is indeed all of those things. It is also my home. I was born here, in Boston City Hospital, now Boston Medical Center.

As a lifelong resident, I am very disturbed by what is happening in our city. I believe there are two Bostons — the Boston described above as seen by tourists, and the Boston that we live in every day.

Last month, a “beauty” died. At least, that’s the description the Boston Herald used to describe the innocent young woman who ventured into the community of Westville Street and Geneva Avenue in Dorchester. She was just trying to extend her partying hours in an effort to replicate the New York experience of partying all night. Chiara Levin, by all descriptions, was a “beauty.” Our prayers go out to her family.

The beauty of this city is also dying with every bullet that flies. Our children are traumatized. Our young men are targets just because they are young men. Hundreds of young African Americans, Cape Verdeans and Latinos die every year on the streets of Boston. A disproportionate number of men die compared to women. These are our “beauties” — our brothers, cousins, sons, fathers, uncles and potential grandfathers. Why do they die?

Why? Because there is a war here. It is a conflict waged by urban warriors, rebels without a cause rebelling against themselves. This is a case of self-destruction, self-inflicted genocide which, if left unchecked, could ethnically cleanse sections of Boston. When the gun is pointed at the victim, the perpetrator is essentially pointing it at himself.

The effects will be felt for generations to come. Just as in any war, we are left with husbandless wives and fatherless and motherless children — large, unfillable holes in families for generations to come. Our communities have mourned way too many of our “beauties.” It must stop.

Should we warn the tourists? Should we write “Dead Zone” on the tourist map of Boston and X out our communities, the places where we work, sleep and worship? These are communities full of hardworking families and business owners who have been terrorized by the senseless, brazen acts of violence plaguing the streets of Boston.

These gun-toting murderers have become weapons of Mass. destruction. I mean, what do you tell the parents of Abdirauf Abdullahi? This family sought refuge in the United States from the gun-wielding warlords of Mogadishu, Somalia, only to have their eldest son cut down by the bullets of a gun on the streets of Boston at the age of 19 just days before he left for college in June of 2006. Should we warn the refugees as well?

Should we warn the tourists? Warn the residents! Warn the young men under 25 who make up the majority of those shot on the streets of Boston! When I say that these violent acts are weapons of Mass. destruction, I mean it — it affects not only Boston, but the entire state. Add one more damagingly high statistic to the list: high housing costs, high taxes, high crime and what? People leave. They just give up and leave.

This is my home, my birthplace. Four generations of my family live here and even I have thought of leaving. But if all the soldiers run away, who will fight the war? We have to do something. It is our responsibility.

Pamela A. Bush
Community Organizer, Greater Four Corners Action Coalition