So… I had a lengthy discussion with a friend, who happens to be a white woman.  We had some real discussion regarding her opinions on Lori Lightfoot & the city of Chicago.  Her position is that Ms. Lightfoot has failed to do her job since Chicago’s crime rate (and murder rate) is higher than ever.  Ms. Lightfoot refused the federal troops & this shows she values her own safety above the citizens of Chicago, so why wouldn’t she let the Feds in to bring back “law & order,” my friend railed… Below is my opinion, and in bold are some of her questions & the rest are my responses.  Please note- neither of us are Chicago residents, we are both viewing the “goings-on” from afar and as you will see, have very different opinions on the subject…

Crime & gun violence is a national problem.  However, the issue is much more deeply rooted than the news & racist “what-aboutism” pundits would have you believe.  Inner-city violence is a reflection of desperation.  Historically, we’ve seen this all over the world, in the slums of India and Pakistan, and even in Russia.  Granted, some of these countries have super-strict gun laws, so the violence isn’t always gun related, but it’s still violence.  People feel they have no options to get out or to better.  Just like any trapped animal- people turn into cannibals when they feel they have no other choice.  It’s not an ethnic thing.  It is what it is… psychological genocide.

Chicago has one of the worst school systems in America and some of the highest unemployment in the country, in that specific area.  Upon graduating from public high school- many children are illiterate.  The family structure has been obliterated due to over-incarceration & structural racism.  This has gone on in Chicago for at least 40+ years…  but, you think this is ONLY the mayor’s job to fix?  If we turn back to our civics lessons- there are things Ms. Lightfoot can fix, but definitely some of these issues fall on the state & federal government who have no intent to make Chicago better.  I’m not giving Ms. Lightfoot a pass, just stating facts.  Why do you think over-incarceration & structural racism exist?  Someone has a vested interest in keeping “those people” from integrating the Miracle Mile in a way that threatens the status quo…

But along comes Lori Lightfoot… first black, lesbian mayor of Chicago.  She’s got a lot to do & as all humans, she’s made some missteps. I believe she’s trying hard to fix decades of corruption, racism, & apathy from citizens.  To me, the measuring stick is about intent as much as it’s about actual goal attainment.  I can’t say any other Chicago mayor has tried as hard to break down these walls, as Ms. Lightfoot has.  I’ve watched her and listened to what she’s trying to accomplish.  She’s not giving up.  I’m sure she goes home many nights in utter frustration.  I see it in her press interviews & stuff she posts.  I support ANY person who tries their best in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds…  She’s got guts… I can’t do anything more than admire that, give my support, & send her good vibes…

But, why isn’t BLM doing more and what about “Back-on-Black” Crime?…  

BLM is not the government.  We don’t ask private organizations to run the government or do what the government is supposed to do, why now?  BLM is trying to actuate change, the same way any other lobbyist or non-profit group does… do we ask why the ACLU doesn’t fix the constitution?  No, we don’t.  They, just like BLM do their best with the mission they set for themselves, just like any other NGO.

I’m not even gonna get into who’s causing chaos on city streets… suffice it to say- it’s not BLM…

You’re a white woman who is quick to bring up “black on black” crime.  Did you know , since 1976, the % of whites who kill whites and blacks who kill blacks are about the same, (+/-10% – U.S. Justice Dept.) People commit crimes in the vicinity in which they live.  More than 50% of gang related murder is committed by white people.  (U.S. Justice Dept) 

Did we start talking about “white on white crime” in reference to school shootings?  No.  

Did we start raving about “white on white crime” when discussing gang activity?  No.  I wonder why?

“The idea that Black people kill each other is exceptional or something that can only be fixed by Black people is deeply rooted in the white supremacist past.” (Khalil Gibran Muhammad- ABC News article https://tinyurl.com/y5r7eu8l ) 

However, police kill blacks at much higher rates than they kill whites…  (at least 3x more likely). Is it hard to believe that black folks want that to change & are willing to protest to get it?

“Most people are unaware of these statistics. As a result, they yell and scream that black people need to stop killing other black people with out ever once saying white people need to stop killing other white people.” (Reggie Jackson, Milwaukee Independent https://tinyurl.com/yycubv2p) 

I hate to see people dying, but honestly, this isn’t new.  Unfortunately, another person will die due to poverty/racism/lack of education today.  Part of the problem is the systems that support these atrocities, including policing.  The federal assistance offered in Chicago was unhinged foolishness & threatened to kill even more black people- I personally didn’t want to see gas thrown on an already raging fire.  I agreed with the mayor in that situation.

I’m tired. You’re tired.  But the answer is to abolish the systems at the root cause- not blame BLM, Ms. Lightfoot, or “black on black crime”.  It’s not true & and at best, unkind and at worst, your position is inherently racist.