It is no real news that since the beginning of April the city of Chattanooga has seen an increase of gun violence, well over a dozen by my count. The majority of the violence has been centered in urban areas with the victim and/or perpetrators being African American. Of those dozen or so shootings do you know how many that Kevin Muhammad and Ashlee Henderson (Concerned Citizens for Justice) have spoken out against, condemned and or took to the streets? The answer won't surprise you, because it's "None".
I am smart enough to know that black on black crime doesn't support their agenda. I think it is important for the readers to understand that they don't care about black on black crime. They don't care about the death of an African American unless it is by the hands of a Caucasian and certainly a Caucasian police officer.
Mr. Muhammad and Ms. Henderson did find time to make it to the latest city of Chattanooga Council meeting to oppose Mayor Berke's proposed budget. "They" demanded that they be able to give their own address of the other side of the city that is not being adequately funded. The council is not only allowing it, but they are letting them exceed the allotted time that is given to citizens when addressing the council. Can someone explain to me why the City Council is allowing people that do not reside in the city limits to not only speak on city business, but given a special platform to do so? Maybe the media should be asking why this is being permitted for non-citizens?
I will save the city time from this nonsense and tell you how this is going to go. They want the police department "defunded". That's right, in a time when violence is high and there is a need for police and services, they want their money reduced. They are going to present their own absurd plan of how to combat violence with less police officers in the neighborhood where crime is affected the most. Keep in mind this is from two people that don't know anything about these neighborhoods and only go down there when police shoot and kill an African American. Shouldn't we be hearing from people that actually live in these crime-affected neighborhoods? Shouldn't we be hearing from the police officers that actually work in these neighborhoods?
I am deeply disappointed in the City Council for lending this platform out of fear that they will offend someone. We don't have to listen to this nonsense and we sure don't have to make special exemptions for it either. Shame on the City Council.
Timothy Bryce
* * *
If Mr. Muhammad can't speak on such an important issue as helping to find solutions to the violence taking place in Chattanooga when others have been allowed, encouraged even, to speak on more trivial matters, then Chattanooga is not a "free" and "Democratic" city. And all those "freedoms" our family members have been, are being, sent away to fight and possibly die for on foreign land so others may experience the "freedoms" we Americans "hold near and dear" must be a very delusional and empty concept; missing all substance and balance.
I was maybe 12, 13, no more than 14 or 15-years-old, I think, when the National Guard was deployed to primarily black communities in Chattanooga. My friends and I were outside in the community we lived when everyone started to run. The National Guard had been called in and came driving through. I stood still, refusing to run. There were black National Guardsmen sitting in the back or driving some of the military vehicles. For me, that was a profound and telling experience at the time. As my own two brothers, full-time active duty military, had served or was serving in Vietnam at the time I believe.
I refused to run, as my friends screamed at me to do so. I decided at that young age and point in time, that I refuse to live in fear of any kind. So I stood there and as those military trucks drove by I gave them the most defiant look a 12, 13-year-old could conjure up. Some looked away or down as if shamed they were being forced to follow such orders. Others looked back with that blank/empty brainwash stare, as if they were prepared to follow through with whatever the orders might be. So I threw my hands up, like Jesus nailed to the cross/licked my tongue out and crossed my eyes (in those days I still believed in the power of grace/now I'm not at all so sure). The blank stares melted for a second, but went back to being blank.
Point: Surely, Chattanooga leaders, black, white, regardless of personal beliefs, can at least come together on common ground, and sit down at the table of brother/sisterhood to at least attempt to work out solutions. This internal bickering and catfighting is childish, immature and disgusting. It seems like everyone wants to beat their chest and refuse to leave their pride and arrogance at the door, if only for 20 minutes, before entering the room.
My greatest wish is for no 12 or 13-year-olds will have to grow up with such a memory of a military unit rolling through their community, with the belief that their country's military was prepared to make war against its own people. Even as their own family members were away fighting on foreign soil under the belief they weren't only chancing losing their lives to make a better life for oppressed people in the land where they were fighting, but also to guarantee a better life for themselves and their family at home.
Peace and solutions can only be obtained when all are willing to set aside their differences, no matter those differences, and at least try. Leave your arrogance and pride at the door.
Brenda Washington
* * *
Mr. Bryce,
If you don't care to listen to Kevin Muhammad or Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, then don't. Nobody demands you to.
Our elected officials are in position to hear from and serve the citizens. They should want to hear all input and valid suggestions as to how to stop this violence. You will expect to be heard if or when you are affected by crime in your neighborhood.
I think our city leaders should have reached out to several diverse organizations for input instead of having to be begged for a platform in which to make a brief comment.
Council seats are filled by councilmen/women but these seats belong to the people.
It would be even better if our mayor listens to what Mr. Muhammad and Ms. Henderson have to say.
Carole Elmore White