Our president blames not the Republicans for the attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in the Tucson, Ariz., tragedy in which 19 people were shot and six died, including a federal judge and a 9-year-old-girl. Instead, he focused on the need for a loving message and communicate with sensitivity — this from a leader who lives under the constant threat of attacks and assassination.
The echo of that violence is permanently etched in the memories of all who are familiar withTucson. The little girl was too young and innocent to have a party affiliation, but a selfish and murdering souless man extinguished her life in its infancy. The invisible tears streaking the face of our president and all who sat listening and hoping for some sense or solace. Our president united our nation in a speech that left all those who questioned him and his valor speechless.
The nation’s urban communities endure the pain inflicted by murderers and the media’s bombardment of dangerous messages that result in the deaths of many urban youths. The debate over gun laws and the ravages of violence rages on long after the eulogies are given and the fallen are laid to rest.
The congresswoman attracted substantial attention with her maverick stance on several hot bed issues. She sometimes voted against party lines and supported Congressman John Lewis of Georgia over Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House, but that doesn’t warrant an attack on her life and the taking of others in the process. Similarly, senseless crime — whether it is politically motivated or not — is rampant in cities and towns across the country, including our presidents home city where the absence of true caring and concern is reflected in the lack of action to address the root causes of the problem in a society that watches the lives of black youth snuffed daily.
We can see our front doors by using Googleearth.com, but we experience difficulty seeing the needs and hearing the pleas of our children. The message of peace in the urban community requires addressing from a president who is not afraid to confront and challenge those individuals who anticipated continuing their dangerous rhetoric, that is until now. The murders of Biggie Smalls and Tupac remain unsolved crimes. We celebrate each of these young men in their musical form, but they constantly remind us that our community has a problem.
The murmurings of a community saddened by its children dying and their deaths going unsolved, calls into question why even after we have a black president are the lives of black people still so unvalued. The African American community is still waiting for their president to speak to all those who suffer at the hands of the old guard and hold so vehemently to the status quo.
