With the SEVENTH homicide this year firmly in the books, leaders of the black community and representatives of law-enforcement met yesterday evening at the NAACP office here in Fort Wayne to discuss methods and ideas aimed at halting the violence that is permeating their community.
All I can say is: Good Luck!
There are so many obstacles looming before law-enforcement, it's just not funny.
First, there is the "pre-conceived" stigma surrounding law enforcement that "they" (John Law) are out to get "them" (the black community). Drive around any predominantly black area in the city (if you dare), and you'll see what I mean. Every vehicle that drives up OR down any street is very closely scrutinized. The people doing this rubber-necking are either wondering if it's the "po-po comin' down on me again", or maybe it's that drive-by shooter they've been trying to avoid (like the plague). I see this every day, and I have to admit that I'm finding myself doing it from time to time, having been threatened by several (no doubt) outstanding members of the black community (only thing outstanding about them are those several WARRANTS). In MY case, I just want to be able to "return fire" should the need arise. My dad always said that "If you look guilty and act guilty...you must sure as hell BE guilty". There is simply NO WAY you can feel secure and safe when looking over your shoulder every few seconds, right? That's why decent black people MOVE from those areas (as well as damn near everyone else with a shred of civility).
Next, there is this "honor among thieves" thing going on with the black community, whereby someone gets shot, and although a few dozen people were standing right nearby, not one damn person saw OR heard anything, and can't give ANY description, BUT they can get on their cellphones immediately and tell ALL their friends about it.....WTF is up with that?
Then we have the intimidation factor which reflects upon the previous paragraph and is the main reason many people will say or do nothing when something bad goes down. They would rather let this minority of their population dictate to the majority the status quo. Funny, but I've never encountered ANY black person that had THAT much fear...usually it the ones with too much attitude that I happen to see (and hear). If some young black male sees me outside, that car stereo goes up a tad louder, just because HE wants to intimidate ME (or anyone else wanting some level of normalcy in the area). I'd wager it's also the reason that resident on Rudisill has dug bullets out of her patio furniture. They must want her out of the area too.
There is also this lack of real black leaders...the ones that make the tough decisions, stand by them, and make things better for everyone, regardless of color in their area, even if they wind up pissing off a few of their OWN community in the process. Maybe all that's about to change, but I'm NOT betting the farm on it just yet, not with the past track record demonstrated, as well as the feelings held towards the police. Be nice to see a black leader emerge like Joe Clark, the former principal. I could deal with some guy with a bullhorn making young people "toe the mark", as it were. And that goes double for these "so-called" parents! Any REAL parent would be concerned when they find out the life expectancy of a young black male (less than 35 years old in an inner city environment) is drastically LOWER than counterparts of every other race in any other part of the city. Maybe that's they have so many kids (they can't really afford)...safety in NUMBERS?
Then there is this easy access to weapons. And I don't believe for one damn minute they are going to H&H and BUYING them, so don't go legislating the hell out of LEGAL gun sales or LEGAL ownership of guns. last night's meeting talked about a "gun amnesty"...yeah, that'll get all those nasty NON-FUNCTIONAL and TOY guns off the street real fast, won't it. Australia recently proved that this doesn't work, as have cities across America. Sure it looks good for the first week...and then it goes back to the same old routine with nothing getting accomplished. Most illegal guns are procurred through theft, with many crossing several states before they arrive in those hot little hands in Indiana. I had a contact in Philly that could get me a Tec-9 with "no questions asked" for ONLY $200...talk about a deal, eh?
Young black males make up the majority of people with nothing to do all damn day (around here)...that's a FACT. They drive around (must be nice to have all that GAS money), doing whatever it is they "do", with little regard for others. They go from one friend's house to another friend's house...all day...and mostly all night (they usually get some sleep between 4AM and 11AM), and then it's back out again for another "fun-filled" day of mayhem. And the black community has been OK with that over the decades? Why aren't all these young bucks doing something PRO-ductive, like learning some trade (other then drug dealing) and volunteering to spruce up THEIR neighborhoods? Help some elderly people (for free) with painting a house, cutting some lawns, shoveling snow, or even grocery shopping. Make a real difference for a change, instead of making the wanted list. I can't begin to imagine the degree of POSITIVE change something like THAT would do for these blighted areas of the south side, but it would be great to behold. It's called a sense of PRIDE...in onseself, one's family, and one's neighborhood.
I would strongly agree with those that believe that many young blacks need some sort of direction for their lives. Hell, that applies to youth of most ALL races these days. When these young people have nothing to do but nothing for the rest of their lives, they tend to be a bit antsy, and will look to other devices to feed their needs. Can more youth programs help? Sure, but only IF these kids get into them. It's like the "showing up for school in order to pass" thing.
One aspect to this "meeting of the minds" that I find disturbing, is that no paper has covered it (yet), but I suppose that will change within the next 48 hours.
Is this violence a serious problem? Yes.
Is it a drug problem? Yes.
Is it a gang problem? Yes.
And we have the media and the marketing gurus to thank for most of it. Embracing the wrong values, touting the wrong "fads", and falsely imbuing black youth with this misplaced sense of invincibility and false power that often times leads to violence might sell a ton of gangsta CDs, or saggy jeans, or athletic shoes, but it's not helping anyone to remain free from slavery one damn bit. It's just replacing one set of chains with another. And those ensnarled in these chains are too busy killing one another, while those holding the chains are laughing all the way to the bank.
I'm not laughing at all.
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