High crime rates are racist. The prevalence of violent crime and the failure of our institutions and elected leaders to combat it is, simply put, racist. I do not believe there can be any other conclusion when the victims of crime are disproportionately blacks and Hispanics, and when recent data shows that trend is only increasing.
The more crime there is, the greater the discrimination there is against blacks and Hispanics. More crime means more misery in black and brown communities – the more difficult it is for people to live, work, better themselves, and get ahead. So why is increasing crime, which disproportionately impacts our black and brown communities, tolerated?
Of the largest 25 cities in this country, why can’t Dallas have the lowest per capita crime rate? By definition, one city has to have the lowest per capita rate …why can’t it be Dallas? Are we not smart enough? Are we not committed enough? Do we not care enough? Are we too racist? Where is the will to change this and why isn’t it defining every aspect of our local government’s pursuits?
In my opinion, whites that tolerate high crime rates are also racist. Black and brown communities suffer day after day, week after week, and there is no real action. How can this failure be seen otherwise? Blacks don’t like high crime rates. Hispanics don’t like high crime rates. But somehow, it’s not racist when whites are o.k. with high crime rates? How’s that?
We need to stop preaching to our friends in the black and brown communities and start listening to them. We should stop imposing white views onto them about crime and its roots. What they want is what they say they want. And what they say they want is low crime, great schools, and the opportunity to experience the American dream that so many others have been able to experience.
So why do we make this so hard? Why can’t we achieve lower crime rates in these communities? Why can’t we provide and sustain great schools in their communities? Why can’t we give them great economic opportunities? The first two are the responsibility of government. The last one is mostly the responsibility of private companies but also partly the responsibility of government.
There’s been a lot of talk lately about what private companies should be doing to help our communities. That’s good. But what about our government? It doesn’t matter what opportunities our city’s private companies provide our citizens of color when the government doesn’t do their basic job because minorities won’t be prepared to take advantage of those opportunities if they’re dead or if they’ve never received an education. And the government is not doing its job. Not at all.
We Dallas residents pay the city and DISD billions every year in taxes. Billions. And yet crime is awful and the DISD schools are absolutely terrible despite the heroic efforts of our hardworking policemen and fantastic teachers. Are our government leaders even trying? Where is the disconnect? Where is the lack of burning passion to fix these issues?
Have you seen the new Murder Graphic here at The Dallas Express? Have you seen how horrible it is that so many blacks are murdered every year? Why don’t we seem to care? Why do we tolerate such? It’s unconscionable and I am sick of it.
If we are going to be a growing city — because right now we are not, we are actually losing citizens, then we need to have the city be livable and safe for all members of our community, including blacks and Hispanics. Our elected leaders won’t do it unless we hold them accountable. I for one will not accept such poor performance anymore. Time’s up.
Let’s stop the racist acceptance of crime. Let’s transform this city for everyone. Let’s stop the racism.