Until You Bleed

by James O'Brien

There are places in America where a scar, physical or emotional, speaks louder than a badge or a pulpit or a diploma ever could. In 2008, Caheri Gutierrez, a young model from one of Oakland's most dangerous neighborhoods, was shot in her beautiful face and nearly killed in a drive-by. Until You Bleed tells the story of her journey from troubled youth to traumatized victim to community leader seeking to heal herself and her city.

Visión Hispana calls Until You Bleed "captivating." The San Francisco Chronicle says Gutierrez is "an unforgettable subject."

Until You Bleed features interviews with the Mayor of Oakland and other city leaders, while it traces the history of the homicide rate in Oakland and the city's slow awakening to its impact and meaning.

But it is Gutierrez' story, her courage and honesty, that readers find most riveting. Survivors of gun violence have crucial things to tells us about how the bullet wounded not just their bodies, but their minds and lives, their families and communities. Until You Bleed gives a victim and a city each a voice.

Cover design by Adil Dara Kim

34 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2013

About the author

James Edward O'Brien is an English radio presenter and podcaster. He is one of the presenters on talk station LBC, presenting on weekdays between 10 am and 1 pm, hosting a phone-in discussion of current affairs, views and real-life experiences. He hosted a weekly interview series with JOE titled Unfiltered with James O'Brien. He has previously occasionally presented Newsnight for the BBC.

Reviews

[Tracy Hollen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad story of how a beautiful young woman lost her face to a drive-by shooter. It's also a story about awesome courage, and perseverance. My heart goes out to Caheri and her family. Wishing you all the very best. Thank you for sharing your story.