PHOTO/COURTESY OF THE HEALING CORNER
By Dion McGill, Educator and Activist
CHICAGO, IL — Recently, John Kass, columnist for the Chicago Tribune, posted an article entitled “A plan for Trump’s feds in Chicago” in which he laid out a master plan to solve the gun violence problem here in Chicago. He proposes surrounding and cordoning the neighborhoods of Austin and Englewood, and flooding them with soldiers and law enforcement.
This plan has so many issues, I can barely think where to begin. In addition to wanting to cordon off multiple predominantly minority communities, John Kass is proposing taking communities whom, for decades, have said they are under siege by the police . . . and actually putting them UNDER SIEGE. With no projected beginning or end date in sight, Mr. Kass wants to take the proverbial “ghetto” and turn it into a literal ghetto.
I truly believe that it goes without saying that unlike Mr. Kass’ strange assumptions, this move would not in any way, shape, or form improve community/police relations. Following the scathing report recently issued by the Department of Justice following their investigation of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), I’m beyond reluctant to put full faith and confidence in the CPD and military personnel with no personal stake in the city to stay focused on a mission of “Protection and Respect” as John Kass insinuates.
The truth of the matter is that there probably is not a band-aid for the gun violence problem that we see in Chicago. It is a complex problem, with an equally complex solution, and the only thing we can “immediately” do to combat the problem is start on long-term solutions . . . now.
The host of problems these areas face, including unemployment and extreme poverty will not be fixed by an occupation. Mr. Kass is willing to spend “millions and millions” of dollars to box depressed and disenfranchised people in, but not to get them better educations and jobs? That argument speaks volumes.
The most immediate solution we have available is to actually begin rebuilding relationships and trust between the police and the community, so that when violent crimes happen, people in the community will actually step forward to help bring the perpetrators to justice. And that means that yes, there is some onus on the community to step up and take ownership of their community.
We need to figure out how 14-year-olds get their hands on guns. We need to make sure that straw purchasers are not allowed to continue putting guns in the hands of our babies and in our streets, and we need to make sure that gun dealers who are doing bad business are not allowed to do so. And yes, we need to figure out why guns continue to emigrate by the thousands from Indiana and end up on Chicago streets.
Let me say unequivocally:
I will never think the occupation of minority communities, of any communities, by military forces in Chicago is a “solution”. And I find it hard to have respect for anyone who does.
