A recent Black Star Editorial explores the relationship between crime and poverty. I include an excerpt:
There is a perfect correlation between crime and poverty. Much has been written about the recent brutal murders of three college students and the wounding of one other in Newark, New Jersey, by a gunman or gunmen.
While some suspects have now been arrested initially it was believed by many –and this in itself is a revelation of bias – that the suspects were young African American males; following a pattern we have seen in many distressed urban areas primarily populated by African Americans.
All the articles we have so far seen focus on the need for “better parenting” and the need to “take back the streets,” and the need to “get in touch with our spirituality.” All these are well and good; but they amount to mere flagellation without tackling the root of most vices—poverty. This isn’t to say that those who commit violent crimes should not be punished; yet, at the same time, we must face the reality of the conditions that produce such depraved murderers.
A parent can only “parent” to the extent that he or she can provide, at a minimum, the basic needs –health, food, drink, or nourishment, education, clothing, housing- of the child. The minute a child becomes aware that the parent is not in a position to provide these needs, there is no “parenting.” Similarly, it is difficult to “connect with spirituality” when one is surrounded with poverty and despair. Cynicism and anti-social behavior, including violence, become the norm.
The editorial goes on to point out how the Bush administration spends billions a day rebuilding Iraq, instead of working on U.S. cities.
I agree that the Bush administration’s policies help contribute to poverty. However, I see it as futile to try and change the federal government. Instead of wasting our resources futilely appealing to the government, I suggest we use those resources to solve problems ourselves.
Unfortunately, we have little power to stop the Bush administration from wasting trillions of dollars in Iraq. I suggest we boycott taxes, and put our money towards our needs.