While weather for the month of June ended on a picture perfect day, all was not so in the hood. Once again, peace failed to reign as gun violence erupted just as the sun had set and the sky was still lit at twilight. Eerily close to home, the victim lay dead in front of the old Meat Masters, located on 133rd Street at Fifth Avenue.
That was on a Monday. The retaliation occurred a few days later, on Saturday night at 2 a.m. The sound of gunfire pierced the cool night air. Five shots could be heard directly across from where the first victim was killed, but this time on Madison Avenue. What stood in between where the two dead bodies lay was the Lincoln Projects.
Following through, as procedures dictate, moments after the final shot was fired, a police car with sirens screaming raced to the scene. This was followed by a helicopter search of the area, which lasted until after 3 a.m. By the time the sun rose on early Sunday morning, another person was dead, and once again, the neighborhood is overshadowed with a cloud of intense fear that traps innocent people who are caught in the middle.
So politicians, police chief, City Council, district attorney’s office, community board, outraged citizens, governor, mayor, what are we going to do about this? When the question was posed at a recent meeting involving a city representative, the response given was, “Mayor [Bill] de Blasio has developed a new program to help combat the problem of gun violence. He is keeping the community centers open until 11 p.m.” Let me be the first to say that is the dumbest idea I have ever heard of.
Let’s be real. The people with the guns who are out to kill are not going to a community center. Sure, they may pop their head in to case the joint, but other than that, here is how the thought process goes: “Man, I ain’t going to no community center. For what?! What I want is out here in the street. I can’t make no money in a community center. I can’t blow an a—hole’s brains out if he mess with me or my money or my drugs or my woman or because I feel like it in no community center. What I wanna be in there for? Can’t smoke no dope in there or get a blast. Nah man, later for that. What I look like going in a community center? You got to be kidding.” So who is going to the community center? Youngsters who should be home at 11 p.m.
The sugarcoated answer to the problem of gun violence is, “These ‘children’ need alternatives. Then they won’t pick up a gun and feel the need to kill.” Please! If the situation wasn’t so life-threatening, I would laugh. A real approach would be to follow a model set up by a state located within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Reported a year ago in The New York Times Magazine, the feature story followed this particular government’s tactics and strategies in combating crime. Are you ready for this?
The government’s approach was very simple. Any man seen standing around on the corner, loitering in front of a building, engaging in illegal activity and not going to school, looking for a job or doing something constructive with his life was immediately picked up by the police and sent away to an island. They were sentenced to spend three years there. Once at the island, their heads were shaved and they were issued red jumpsuits. Their families were not notified and the men were not allowed to contact anyone. The families knew that if they didn’t hear anything from their loved one, they were on the island.
The day would begin at sunrise, and for the course of the day, the men were taught life skills. They learned to read, as well as basic math and a skill. They had to work very hard; there was little fun and games. However, when they left the island and returned home to their families, they were prepared to enter society—and at that point, society was ready for them, providing opportunities where they could apply themselves and feel like men. As a result, the country is thriving economically, the streets are clean and there is no crime. While the American Civil Liberties Union and the ultra-liberals will scream, “Unjust and unconstitutional,” the photo of the men on the cover of the magazine showed that they all looked healthy and happy.
As of this date, the police are now stationed throughout the Abraham Lincoln Houses. They cover the rooftops and line the sidewalks around the project’s perimeters. While I truly believe that each one of these youngsters has something to offer and deserves a chance in life, they are not going to get it in the community center. This is war, and if we are going to save their souls while trying to save our lives, harsh measures need to be taken. “Alternative” programs must be set up outside and away from the hood. Away, where the air is fresh, clean and quiet, where they can be taught, where they can learn without distraction and become productive human beings and we can get back to feeling safe to walk around the corner.
Happy birthday to Debbie Jackson, whose husband, Mel, was our host at the Fellas scholarship luncheon. This is a triple play for Jackson, because in addition to it being her birthday, she is retiring from the Department of Education’s special needs department—and if that wasn’t enough, she is about to become a grandmother. Daughter Kari will know any day now whether it will be a girl or a boy, and everyone is so excited.
Inside Broadway, the organization that brings arts and education theater programs to over 20,000 New York City public school students in 85 schools throughout the city, hosted the 2014 Broadway Beacon Awards at the Essex House, located on Central Park South. Honorees included Stephen Batta, general manager, JW Marriott Essex House; actress Anika Noni Rose; Neil A. Mazzella, chairman, Hudson Scenic Studio; and Andy Karl, star of “Rocky: The Musical.” Mistress of ceremonies for the evening was Ginger Zee, the “Good Morning America” weather lady. It was really a standout evening, done in true Broadway style.
Beginning with an array of tasty hors d’oeuvres at a champagne reception, the main event took place in the intimate ballroom (as opposed to the grand ballroom), where the guest were able to enjoy the evening’s performances by the musical theater class of P.S. 97 Brooklyn and Broadway’s “Jersey Boys.” It was a real treat to see Rose in person. She’s an actress who can go from being the fanciful Princess Tiana to the gritty Benetha in the Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun.” Rose is unassuming and articulate, and her love for the theater is backed by her belief that theater and the arts are mighty tools that can be used in helping to shape children’s lives: to give them self-worth, confidence, vision and to provide a healthy alternative.
Until next week … kisses