This just in...
Tazerville notable Mike Ali sends us the following timely essay.
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Why must we win the War on Violence, and win it NOW?
As a member of the Richmond Violence Prevention movement, I have seen far too much blood and death out on these mean streets. Brothers dying. Sisters dying. It all has to stop and stop NOW!
But where is the Richmond city government in all of this? "City of Pride and Purpose"? What "pride"? What "purpose"? There are lives that need to be saved, futures that need to be rescued. These youths and young adults are crying out, but the mayor and city council do not listen.
If this killing carries on much longer at the rate that it's carrying on I believe there will be an inescapable hopelessness against authority. There is already widespread apathy and despair. Witness any number of polls that show over half of all voters remain undecided with well under 50 days left until the election. They're waiting for the true and rightful leader to rise above the rest.
Richmond leaders who ignore the War on Violence and the stakeholders in that struggle not only risk their political futures they more importantly also risk the future of Richmond itself. Listen to what these leaders tell you, but more importantly pay close attention to what they DO NOT do! Those aren't the leaders we want for us or for our children.
Yours in the struggle for human and civil rights in Richmond,
Michael Ali
Richmond Violence Prevention Movement
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why must we win the War on Violence, and win it NOW?
As a member of the Richmond Violence Prevention movement, I have seen far too much blood and death out on these mean streets. Brothers dying. Sisters dying. It all has to stop and stop NOW!
But where is the Richmond city government in all of this? "City of Pride and Purpose"? What "pride"? What "purpose"? There are lives that need to be saved, futures that need to be rescued. These youths and young adults are crying out, but the mayor and city council do not listen.
If this killing carries on much longer at the rate that it's carrying on I believe there will be an inescapable hopelessness against authority. There is already widespread apathy and despair. Witness any number of polls that show over half of all voters remain undecided with well under 50 days left until the election. They're waiting for the true and rightful leader to rise above the rest.
Richmond leaders who ignore the War on Violence and the stakeholders in that struggle not only risk their political futures they more importantly also risk the future of Richmond itself. Listen to what these leaders tell you, but more importantly pay close attention to what they DO NOT do! Those aren't the leaders we want for us or for our children.
Yours in the struggle for human and civil rights in Richmond,
Michael Ali
Richmond Violence Prevention Movement
posted by Plunda Claus @ 1:18 PM
10 Comments:
At September 19, 2006 3:32 PM,
Anonymous said…
Brother Ali, you are at the heart of the matter! This says it all! Voters of Richmond, Vote 'NO' to re-electing Irma Anderson again. She has betrayed, lied to and destroyed our Community enough!
At September 19, 2006 3:52 PM,
Anonymous said…
It's true that the Mayor and City Council can't snap their fingers and make this violent insanity go away but, they have stepped up to the plate and thrown the first ball to get things moving in a (hopefully) positive direction.
I include myself with the 50% of residents who have not yet decided how to vote this November. I'm certainly not "waiting for the true and rightful leader to rise above the rest," that sounds too much like preacher talk.
I'm waiting for the mud-slinging to start, or continue as the case may be. When our candidates start shooting below the belt it might help answer those undecided queries about who is the "rightful leader."
Whoever the "rightful leader" is, the residents of Richmond will still have to go out and vote on November 7th. "Rightful" or not, the successful candidate will be chosen and voted in by the people!
At September 19, 2006 3:56 PM,
Anonymous said…
Peaceful Brother, what we don't yet know about inexperienced Mayorial candidates could bite us all in the butt.
At September 19, 2006 4:21 PM,
Anonymous said…
Truth can be so much like sunlight. Some will bask in it, but then others will scurry away. Some might get a healthy glow from it, but then others burn up.
Michael Ali has a good dose of truth in what he wrote. The killing needs to stop, it needs to stop as soon as possible, and there's not just something that the Richmond municipal government can do; there is PLENTY they can do! Any politician looking to re-up for their position better be able to point to accomplishments we can count on, and not just say they have "experience" (or simply time on the job) on their side or endorsements from other politicians. Likewise, any wannabe needs to have qualifications and qualities that go beyond talking a good game. Talking a good game is what the last pols did to get where they are, so until the wannabes get elected AND produce behind the desk, they're just hot air, too.
I admit that I'm among the soft and undecided middle, if only to calculate which mayoral candidate is truly the lesser of evils. I lean away from Irma because of her failings, to include the fiscal meltdown, and serving heat to Chief Magnus with the tremendous lie that was "Safe Streets Now." I lean away from Gary because he was on the council as Finance chair during the meltdown, with no indication that it wouldn't repeat itself under another watch. And I lean away from Gayle because she's a novice, a stranger to Richmond, and a Green, whose policies I really don't agree with.
In that, I figure I agree with what Mike says about one leader rising above the rest. These aren't exactly diamonds glimmering among the tailings, folks. The candidates are going to have to polish harder before they can even imagine my vote!
At September 19, 2006 4:43 PM,
Anonymous said…
Hell, the way I see it Anderson and Mclaughlin are nothing but liars and vagabonds. They pride themselves on being 'in' with the people of Richmond. In reality they no knowing about the people they serve. They know how to abuse and use us as the voters. But they never cared about our kids from day one. Now they both promise things will be better. Ladies as one the people here said earlier in the comment box; you two are both liars! Resign now!
At September 19, 2006 5:23 PM,
Anonymous said…
How sick can the Mayor be mentally? She actually believes that she is our leader? God, I just want to puke at the very thought of it. I will not be voting for her whatsoever. She is unfit to serve.
At September 19, 2006 6:18 PM,
Anonymous said…
The entire City government is sick.
How could they sit back and let this happen? Maybe victims families should sue the City for violation of their federal civil rights
At September 19, 2006 6:51 PM,
Anonymous said…
They might do something if they were hit with a large multi class lawsuit from families that have lost their sons and daughters.
At September 19, 2006 8:48 PM,
Anonymous said…
The only one that seems to bring any kind of honor to this whole violence mess is gary Bell. At least he is trying to do something.
At September 20, 2006 4:08 PM,
Anonymous said…
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