In the political chessboard that is Dallas, Black voters find themselves pawns in a game where both major parties seem to have forgotten that we, too, have the power to declare checkmate. The Dallas City Council, a stronghold of Democrats, has consistently turned a deaf ear to our calls for school choice and adequate funding for police and public safety in our neighborhoods. On the other side, Republicans seem to think they can afford to ignore us, as if our votes are inconsequential. Well, it’s time to set the record straight.

It’s disheartening to see the disconnect between what Black voters want and what our so-called representatives are willing to offer us in Dallas. The numbers don’t lie: 3 in 4 Black voters support school choice and educational freedom, and a resounding 72% actually opposed the “defund the police” movement. Yet, City Council Members, who claim to represent our interests, are doing the exact opposite—blocking charter schools and cutting into public safety funding. The question that looms large is: why do local politicians refuse to listen to Black voters?

In a political climate where labels often supersede logic, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s recent decision to switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party has unleashed a torrent of reactions that expose the profoundly ingrained, stochastic racism within our society. The response from white liberals has been particularly telling, revealing a disturbing tendency to reduce a Black man’s worth to his political affiliation.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s recent switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party is a seismic event that should jolt Democrats out of their complacency. While the Republican Party was once the political home for Black voters, many feel as though fallen into disarray, marred by dangerous racial tropes and divisive rhetoric. Republican outreach into urban communities has been dismal and led to a sense of disenfranchisement on either side.

In a time where unity and solidarity should be at the forefront of our city’s agenda, the recent decisions surrounding the Dallas budget stand as a glaring testament to the disrespect and negligence that the Black community continues to endure. It is a slap in the face, a blatant disregard for the voices crying out for justice, safety, and prosperity in a city that seems to have lost its way.

A sinister narrative is unfolding in Dallas. A narrative that sees the Black community, which constitutes a significant 25% of the population, bearing the brunt of a city council that seems to have forsaken its duty to protect and serve all its citizens equitably.

We find ourselves grappling with a Dallas City Council that seems to be playing a dangerous game with the lives and safety of its citizens. The stakes? Nothing less than the well-being of our communities, the futures of our children, and the sanctity of decency of life on life terms.

Dallas Justice Now is contesting a budget that leaves Black neighborhoods in a state of vulnerability. This is not just negligence; it is a blatant disregard for the lives and safety of Black individuals, especially when incidents of crime against minorities are on the rise.

Every other day, there are an increasing number victims of violent crime in Dallas. More often than not, the victims are minorities, and the majority of the minorities affected are Black. As unwavering advocates for justice, we rise to address the proposed city budget with both conviction and compassion. Our community’s well-being is non-negotiable, and the moment has arrived to demand a budget that mirrors our collective values and aspirations.

The proposed Dallas budget for the upcoming fiscal year reveals a jarring disconnect between the needs of Black communities and the city’s priorities. This budget, which inadequately addresses the public safety concerns of our most vulnerable neighborhoods, not only sidelines the concerns of Black Dallas residents but also speaks volumes about where City Manager TC Broadnax and the City Council’s allegiances lie.

Dallas stands as a city of opportunity, culture, and community. But beneath the surface of this vibrant metropolis lies a silent crisis tearing at the very fabric of its society. 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 when it comes to crime. The situation is dire, and the response from Dallas leaders has been nothing short of neglectful.

Just three short weeks ago, Kyrie Barnes lost his life while he was asleep in his home. Killed by a coward’s stray bullet. The week’s newsletter is dedicated to his memory and our thoughts and prayers remain with his family. His tragic fate leads us to ask whether black children are being cared for in Dallas and set up for success. The obvious answer is a resounding NO. Black children are being put in unsafe conditions, in failing schools and therefore are being set up for failure. This is unacceptable.

Amid the vibrant tapestry of Texas, Dallas, a city of promise and prosperity, we are entangled in a spiraling crisis. Some leaders have let us down by embracing half-measures regarding their responsibilities. This has intensified the crime predicament and perpetuated an unending cycle of injustice, casting a long, ominous shadow over the city’s future.

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.at have arisen from tragic incidents involving law enforcement.

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.at have arisen from tragic incidents involving law enforcement.

Dallas Police lacks the representation, diversity, and manpower to keep black neighborhoods safe. Right now, we are experiencing the worst of both worlds. We are simultaneously subjected to high crime and high rates of police brutality when we deserve a police who protect us from crime instead of brutalizing our young men. With more officers and more diversity in the ranks, Dallas Police can finally do what is is charged with doing---serving and protecting all community members. One of the most urgent challenges in Dallas is the current shortage of 1,000 police officers, a deficit that has led to the necessity of online reporting for all nonviolent crimes. As the summer heat bring on seemingly inevitable crime waves, we must recognize this is a temporary measure, not a lasting solution. To build a safer, stronger Dallas, we must confront this issue directly, while acknowledging the national concerns that have arisen from tragic incidents involving law enforcement.

The city of Dallas stands at the crossroads of change and stagnation. We can choose to become a beacon of opportunity for black families and businesses, or we can give in and allow segregationist forces to keep us poor and marginalized within our own city. Dallas leaders are the only ones standing in our way of creating Black Wall Street here. They are blocking the two things we need to realize this dream: good schools and safe streets.

The city of Dallas stands at the crossroads of change and stagnation. We can choose to become a beacon of opportunity for black families and businesses, or we can give in and allow segregationist forces to keep us poor and marginalized within our own city. Dallas leaders are the only ones standing in our way of creating Black Wall Street here. They are blocking the two things we need to realize this dream: good schools and safe streets.

The city of Dallas stands at the crossroads of change and stagnation. We can choose to become a beacon of opportunity for black families and businesses, or we can give in and allow segregationist forces to keep us poor and marginalized within our own city. Dallas leaders are the only ones standing in our way of creating Black Wall Street here. They are blocking the two things we need to realize this dream: good schools and safe streets.