SBPDL
July 13, 2014
Stop the violence!
Please.
Or else we’ll march:
A plea to stop tho violence! Indianapolis Police Department Deputy Chief Robert Turner was one of the special guests during the “Stop The Violence” march and rally sponsored by Mt. Vernon Community Missionary Baptist Church Aug. 30. According to Shetetta Underwood, organizer of , the event this, is one of several marches and rallies scheduled in response to the increasing violence in Haughville.
Wait.
That was from 1997. [A plea to stop the violence, Indianapolis Recorder, 6-9-1997]
In 2014 (17 years later), Indianapolis is dedicating vast resources to fight the almost exclusively black-in-origin violence in the city. Remember? The city introduced a touted anti-violence plan in March… to stop black crime (if your city has training sessions to create new “violence interrupters” it’s time move).
And this is only for a population that constitutes 28 percent of the city’s population.
In case you wondering, the violence is almost all black-in-origin. [Current trial sheds light on increasing violence, RTV 6 ABC, 7-7-14]:
There have been a total of 72 murders in Indianapolis so far in 2014. Those numbers put the city on a pace to rival the 162 murders recorded in 1998. Police said many of the victims and suspects in those murders were black males under the age of 25.
A murder trial involving a victim and suspects of that demographic was just getting underway Monday. The 2013 murder case gained little notoriety when it happened at 24th Street and Guilford Avenue. The victim was 19 and was left lying in the street.
Damien Williams survived for a while, but eventually died from the gunshot wounds. Jamar Minor, 20, and 21-year-old Jordan Gray were charged in Williams’ murder.
“They killed him for no reason. I can’t even explain the feeling. We still hurt, we are still going through our pain today. It’s like nothing you can explain,” the victim’s sister Kearrah Williams said.
Some believe that violent video games are the genesis for some of the gunplay.
“They are using these violent videos. They are being desensitized to this kind of violence. You have the hardcore gangster rap talking about violence these young men are starting to emulate it. The problem is when young men have beef with one another, they settle it now through guns,” community activist Rev. Charles Harrison said.
The seemingly free flow of guns and an inability of ex-offenders to find legitimate work compound the problem.
“If they can’t work they are out here hustling, selling drugs involved in all sorts of criminal activity that leads to gun violence. If you try to rob a drug dealer, if you are gonna rob him, you are gonna have to kill him because if you don’t, he is gonna kill you or have someone else kill you,” Harrison said.
White people watch a lot of violent videos.
White people listen to a lot of rap music.
White people don’t emulate the “hardcore gangster rap talking about violence” as black people do, Rev. Harrison.
Nor do white people need to have “stop the violence” marches.
In 1997.
In 2005.
Or in 2014. [Indy Radio Stations Calling for Unity, WIBC.com, 7-10-14]:
Indianapolis area radio stations are joining those calling for unity against violence.
Indy United on the Circle is a rally in support of public safety and law enforcement. This follows the tragic shooting death of IMPD Officer Perry Renn.
Emmis Communications Senior VP Charlie Morgan says the free public event is slated for this Saturday at 9 pm on Monument Circle. Morgan adds the event is an opportunity for people share and express a sense of community amid the recent violence.
U.S. Rep Andre Carson, Mayor Greg Ballard, public safety officials, community and clergy leaders are also set to attend.
Stop the violence!
Please.
Or else we’ll march.
Or have a unity event…
Or move away.
Indianapolis continues to provide example after example of why white flight occurs: the legitimate fear of black-in-origin violence and subsequent drop in property value that accompanies it (and erosion of business community).
And, the constant need for city leaders (both political and members of the clergy) to preen before cameras and demand an end to the – black – violence. [Interfaith peace rally urges crowd to stop the violence, RTV 6 ABC, 4-17-14]:
There was an urgent call for peace Thursday afternoon on the downtown steps of the Indiana War Memorial.
Representatives from the Muslim, Christian and Jewish faiths were present to unite for one cause — to stop the killing and stop the violence.
Twelve ministers from different faiths spoke and rallied to keep the faith and to show that the community will not back down against violence.
“Where there is despair we pray for hope. Where dreams have been destroyed we pray for new possibilities, and where violence continues to harm God we pray for peace,” Rev. Ann Rosebrock with Meridian Street United Methodist Church said.
The coming together of different theological beliefs to “stop the violence” didn’t work, because “violence” isn’t the true source of the problem.
It’s blacks.
Failing to admit this, will ensure “stop the violence” marches continue deep into the 21st century.