Dallas Leaders Refuse to Reduce Violence in Black Neighborhoods

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

-Dallas leaders like white billionaire-backed DA John Creuzot and blackface-wearing Judge Clay Jenkins don’t care when Black lives are lost

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

Gun violence is at an all-time high in Dallas, and the numbers are staggering, with people of color accounting for nearly all deaths. Black Americans make up 25% of the population in Dallas, but we are 60% of the victims of crime. The situation is dire, and the response from Dallas leaders has been nothing short of neglectful.

A Disturbing Trend: The Escalation of Gun Violence

The streets of Dallas are becoming increasingly dangerous. The escalation of gun violence is not just a statistic; it’s a reality that many families in Black neighborhoods live with daily. The loss of life, the fear, and the trauma are all too actual, and the impact is felt most acutely by those in marginalized communities. When these crimes occur and are reported, emergency workers, nurses, doctors, and law enforcement do everything they can to save lives, but unfortunately, many victims don’t make it home from the hospitals.

Dallas Leaders: A Failure to Act

District Attorney John Creuzot’s approach to this crisis has been characterized by policies that let criminals walk freely among us to commit more crimes. The rhetoric may sound appealing to some, but the reality is that it’s failing the very people it claims to protect. It is not just politically nuanced neglect to attend to the responsibilities a District Attorney has regarding the criminal justice system, but it is also systemic. There is always an excuse as to why a violent felon can roam free and commit more crimes. The problem is two-fold, one where the DA actively seeks to prosecute as few people as possible, and the other where the computerized system of keeping an eye on every case that represents a hazard to public safety or the fact that one sentence is ending. However, there is still more time that is due on other charges.

It is this callous lack of concern and action when Black lives are lost due to this kind of intentional incompetence that is a painful reminder that some lives are still considered less valuable. The message it sends is clear: the only times when the lives of minorities are a priority are when the police or another ethnicity has committed the crime. On the one hand, we have citizen advisory boards that connect with the City Council and the Police. Still, for all the years they have been active, the sad truth is for all their advice, the crime waves keep surging, and it’s the shootings, the stabbings, and the overdoses that end up tearing families apart.

Young, wealthy liberal anarchist extremists, often shielded by their affluence and detached from the struggles of the marginalized, encourage poor and working-class Black individuals to riot and engage in destructive behaviors. This is not only hypocritical but also profoundly counterproductive. By advocating for actions that lead to the tearing down of already struggling communities, they divert attention from the genuine needs and aspirations of these communities.

The irony is palpable. While these extremists might shout slogans of solidarity from their comfortable enclaves, they remain oblivious to the long-term consequences of their encouragements. Communities are left to grapple with the aftermath, facing even more significant challenges in rebuilding and healing.

A Way Out

The focus should shift toward constructive solutions. Rebuilding Black Wall Street can provide much-needed economic stability and growth opportunities for these communities. By strengthening this sector, we can pave the way for job creation, community development, and long-term prosperity.

Furthermore, encouraging educational freedom is paramount. Every individual, regardless of their background, should have access to quality education that empowers them to achieve their dreams. By investing in education, we can equip future generations with the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and violence.

Lastly, recruiting more police officers who are from black communities and live in black communities will make our communities safer and make the police more responsible for the communities they serve.