Black Lives Mean Nothing to Dallas Leaders

-Gun violence is at an all-time high in Dallas, with people of color accounting for near all deaths

-Dallas leaders like blackface-wearing Clay Jenkins don’t care when Black lives are lost

-We need public safety officers who are come from black neighborhoods and live in black neighborhoods

We find ourselves in the midst of a growing storm, an unchecked surge of crime and gun violence that is overwhelmingly affecting people of color. Yet, our city leaders are maintaining a dangerous silence, seemingly more focused on political posturing than on the preservation of human life.

The statistics paint a grim picture: Dallas is experiencing an all-time high in gun violence, with an unsettling proportion of fatalities being people of color. Amid this crisis, Dallas leaders, such as Judge Clay Jenkins, appear to be in a nonchalant disregard. It is a bitter irony that Jenkins, whose past behavior has been marred by boorish displays of openly racist behavior, remains largely inactive in the face of these escalating horrors.

Adding to the pain, our city has recently lost two minors to this violent onslaught: a 16-year-old at an Airbnb party and 7-year-old Kyrie Barnes, a sleeping innocent child, felled by a stray bullet. Within the last 72 hours, our streets also bore witness to two incidents of road rage, one tragically ending in a woman’s death.

What adds to this crisis is the growing danger of NIMBY (“Not In My Backyard”) idealism, a mindset that tolerates crime as long as it remains outside the safe perimeters of their gated communities. Such an attitude only deepens divisions, increases the sense of alienation, and hinders the development of comprehensive solutions. While the rich enjoy the rich opulence of Highland Park, the local ordinance prohibits the homeless from setting up camp, loitering and engaging in acts of vagrancy in the park, they are just fine with these camps taking root in South Dallas as the junkies and mentally ill escalate their lifestyle and put communities of color at risk.

The path forward is clear. Our city needs public safety officers who have a deep and personal connection to the communities they serve and officers who come from these neighborhoods and understand their unique complexities and challenges. This not only fosters trust but also enhances cooperation and community engagement.

Our demands are straightforward. First, we insist that our city’s leaders acknowledge the disastrous impact of rising gun violence and its disproportionate toll on people of color. Second, we call for reallocating resources to enhance law enforcement and community policing initiatives. Third, we strongly advocate for recruiting and training officers from the neighborhoods most affected by crime.

We cannot wish crime away. We must meet it head-on, understand its roots, and address them with determination, empathy, and respect for every life. Inaction is unacceptable; the time for meaningful action is now.

We implore you to join us in advocating for these vital changes. The safety and prosperity of all our communities hang in the balance.