Earlier today, The Peoria Chronicle posted this "Peorians living in fear on the East Bluff". It's an eye witness account of racially tinged mob activity near the home of Paul Wilkinson, who is the President of the Altamont Park Neighborhood Association.
Shortly thereafter, The Peoria Anti-Pundit 2.0 posted this "War Zone?". This post pushes the racial aspect a step further and calls on City Leaders and the NAACP to step up and do something. Reading those two blogs and subsequent comments, brings me to this...
Shortly thereafter, The Peoria Anti-Pundit 2.0 posted this "War Zone?". This post pushes the racial aspect a step further and calls on City Leaders and the NAACP to step up and do something. Reading those two blogs and subsequent comments, brings me to this...
Not to take away from the seriousness of what happened in Paul Wilkinson's neighborhood or the frustration that the Anti-Pundit and others are feeling...
I agree that the problems come off the streets and into the schools. Societal ills are definitely permeating our classrooms.
Schools are limited in how they can deal with students. They can only discipline so much and discipline can get to be expensive.
These people shooting, killing and robbing are the same people who have children in our primary and middle and high schools. Some of them attend our middle and high schools right along with students who want an education.
A call to City leaders to deal with these trouble makers is fair. They certainly have more leeway to intervene.
Black on black crime is rampant (and that’s an understatement). Although, a break down along racial lines would be unfortunate, perhaps it’s good that white folks are getting completely fed up—maybe now some body will pay attention.
Schools are limited in how they can deal with students. They can only discipline so much and discipline can get to be expensive.
These people shooting, killing and robbing are the same people who have children in our primary and middle and high schools. Some of them attend our middle and high schools right along with students who want an education.
A call to City leaders to deal with these trouble makers is fair. They certainly have more leeway to intervene.
Black on black crime is rampant (and that’s an understatement). Although, a break down along racial lines would be unfortunate, perhaps it’s good that white folks are getting completely fed up—maybe now some body will pay attention.
28 comments:
Well stated, Emerge. The victims--black and white--need to work together to stop these young people who are destroying the peace of neighborhoods and destroying their own lives. First of all, the press and the police need to stop underreporting these incidents. I know they fear more violence; however, the silence isn't decreasing these behaviors.
I couldn't agree with you folks more. It would be nice to have a victim's /neighborhood parade with police escort with signs to send a message to all thugs to stop the anarchy.
NAACP what a joke. Yeah they need to have more closed door meetings with City leaders. What happened the last time, let's see a secret police commission (results?), and oh yeah, they got a new building.
Let's all become advocates of young people--but not advocates for their bad behaviors. For too long, District 150 has confused the two. I know that it is completely possible to love these young people and to make them accountable--in fact, that would be the greatest act of love that we can give them. And we have to do so early--before their bad behaviors become entrenched criminal behavior.
AS a teacher in D150, my favorite stories I like to share are the ones where a student has made a poor choice and I would not buy into it. I called their parents, handed them the phone and told them to tell their parents what they had done wrong to get a call home. I made it clear to the parent and child that continued poor choices will NOT be tolerated in my classroom and that I believe, as a parent, they sent their child to get an education, not take away everyone else's. I did not give rewards for EXPECTED behavior, I rewarded "above and beyone" behavior until the child understood it to be an intrinsic reward. I can honestly say, having spent my entire career at Title 1 schools with high poverty and low parental involvement, that my students are and continue to be respectful to me and their classmates. Set the bar high and the student/parents will "rise to the occasion".
You are wasting your time talking to this group. They hear what they want and you or nobody else will change how they feel.
I this account is true, and I'm not saying that it isn't, they way they have decided to latch on make a big deal about what color these so-called perpetrators are instead of looking for justice against someone who has supposedly done wrong. I continue to say alleged because all I have heard thus far is "Paul's" account. I have heard nothing else from anywhere yet, especially the so-called people who were accosted in their cars.
Some people were just waiting to hear the words "black youths" and now they are calling for an all out race war. Too often, we always are so inclined to take an aspirin for a headache instead of finding out what caused the head to ache in the first place and dealing with the root cause. If we keep concentrating on the symptoms because it's so much easier to hate someone and blame them for reacting to the symptoms of society, we will never get rid of the root cause of the problems in our society.
I refuse to buy into this hate-mongering.
General Parker, get a clue. You are in denial. I witnessed this myself right in front of my father's home not two months ago. At least 20 to 25 black youths yelling and screaming, walking up into people's yards and gathering under a tree at the corner of MacQueen and Elmwood, then dispersing.
Where are the parents of these kids? And it isn't just happening in Peoria. It is happening across the USA from Boston to Chicago. Google it.
I believe part of the problem is the economy. There are no jobs.
Anonymous, I have a clue and you seem to have a part of the clue, The Economy!!! I know this happens in Chicago and elsewhere also as I work with people who are willing to address the problem in Chicago. In fact there was a meeting with community members at the office of the black Star Project earlier today. What I was addressing was the fact that everyone wanted to hop on the bandwagon that all these kids were black instead of the fact that what happened was wrong. So maybe you can also get a clue and read what I said instead what you wanted to hear, as I also stated above.
I never said it didn't happen nor htat it doesn't happen. What I'm saying is, with n o more that Paul's words everyone decide to go to war. In a court, Paul's word without corroberation is not evidence.
Why does it take so little to hop on that bandwagon and let's go kill all those little "thugs".
I said before and I'm saying it again, the emphasis needs to be on the fact that wrong was done instead of what color they were. If they had committed a crime while spewing racist remarks then they should be prosecuted for hate crimes. The fact that they are supposed to be black youth should have no bearing in peoples mind.
Still, no one can answer the question, "Where are the parents?" It is asked time and time again.
I have had events that deal with the issue of fatherlessness, crime, the war on drugs, and have held million father marches to inspire parents, especially dads to be a part of their child's education. The media and most blogs refused to even broadcast the events so people could participaate. Now, a year or two later everyone asks where are the parents and why aren't they involved.
For the sake of argument, we are holding the million father march again this year. It will be Sunday, August 21 and we will leave from Glen Oak School and march to Glen Oak Park. Everyone is invited to attend and participate. We also want dad's to show up on the first day of school also.
General, I do believe that the economy and, most of all, poverty are some of the root causes of these behaviors. However, we just can't allow young people to use that as an excuse. Most people do not resort to crime even if they are poor or even if they are victims of racial discrimination.
However, those who emphasize the race of these young people instead of focusing on the behaviors are enough to make us all angry. Also, I object to those who appear to blame black leaders for the behavior of these young people. Even if black people offer excuses for the behaviors, they are not really to blame for the behaviors--except possibly if they are the parents of the offenders. White people are never asked to bear the blame for the crimes of all white criminals--nor do they have to bear the stigma of white criminals. It is no wonder black people sometimes jump to the defense of these young people--they do so because subtly or not so subtly they are blamed for the behaviors; therefore, they are forced into the position of defending themselves.
It's late--I hope my comments make sense to someone.
To those who make race the cause, I would say we would be in big trouble if that were the case. Judging all black youth by the behaviors of these offenders is just plain stupid--yet some seem to do just that.
@Sharon---Your last comment was spot on correct.
Once again it comes down to people aren't being handed anything, jobs. There are none. Yet, I don't see bands of Chinese or Mexicans running the streets late at night. In fact, I went to my favorite Chinese take out the other night and there were the owner, his relatives, his wife, and all their kids working there. They were making their own jobs. They didn't expect anyone to lead them and hand them something.
I guess we better get some jobs going in this country or we all risk our property and lives from roaming groups of dissatisfied youths. I'm sure these youths come in all colors but we should all ignore that when they are torching your house or vandalizing your property.
Yes General, some people are getting on the race band wagon and making this issue a race issue. And yes, all we have is Paul's account and if this is false won't all us white folk look like asses? Well it's been over 50 years of civil rights in this country and here we are, 2011, and we are reading and dealing with no jobs, bad economy, crime, shootings and killings on our streets, mobs, and here in Peoria it all involves blacks. People are human and not everyone is fully educated like the General nor has any white person walked in your shoes as a minority but humans being humans see the same crap generation after generation and nothing changes. So yes, people are going to scream race. Personally, if the police show up and arrested everyone there, someone would step up and claim that black youth were being picked on because the jails are full of blacks. So how would you expect average people to react? You see, there is a segment of society that expects government to take care of them. Housing, cell phones, food, free medical which is great for those in need but generation after generation has grown up to believe they are owed this. Ask any pregnant high school girl who's going to pay for her child birth. She isn't nor does she care. There are plenty of youth jobs in this community and yes nothing comes without hard work but isn't easier to just take it, and maybe you'll get caught? That's the mindset of today's youth in the inner cities and sorry to say, mostly black. People flee, blacks and whites, and the neighborhood goes down the toilet. All because of a bunch of thugs raised by idiots and absent fathers and the whites are afraid to call the blacks out on it and the blacks point the finger right back to the whites. No one addresses the real problem. No one. hint: It isn't lack of jobs.
I agree that part of the problem begins in the schools. My school had kindergarteners and first graders hitting, kicking, spewing profanity, etc and were "redirected" or "mediated" and returned to the classroom TIME AND TIME again. It can't happen that way. Children can't be taught (at school of all places) that there are no consequences for their behavior. I was on the phone to parents--they either took the kid home and whooped him or did it right there in the bathroom. Whatever they were saying as they were whooping didn't work because I would be back on the phone the next day. I have high expectations for my students. I do not care if they are black, white, green, or purple. Unfortunately, higher ups seem to not have the same high expectations. I know if the kind of behavior in my classroom happened in Kellar or Charter Oak, the child would be dealt with immediately and appropriately. Why do my "poor black kids" not get the same respect and love of a detailed discipline plan which is in place and followed?
Once it has been established in these kids as young as 5 that there are no consequences or different consequences for them than others, why would they try to change? Why would they expect more for themselves when those in charge of the schools don't seem to be able to? It breaks my heart.
Next thing you know, they are 12, 13, 14 years old and hooking up with a group of others like them and walking the streets at night. Everyone needs to care what's goign on in our schools. It WILL affect you at some point.
Sharon's last comments was spot on, couldn't said it better myself.
But let's reverse things a bit here, go back 50-60 years. Let's change the 60-70 black youth to white men roaming predominately black neighborhoods. And these white men, not wanting to be recognized, wore pointy hats and white robes. This 'flash mob' would shout out threats, and even went as far as burning crosses on lawns. Sometimes, they lynched a black man. And white neighbors supported it, appreciated it.
Times have changed, haven't they?
Anonymous, just above this comment. I agree. Many in the white population do not want to remember or admit that such things happened--or this generation doesn't want to be blamed for the sins of the past. Or we find excuses for the behaviors that are ours--very much human nature. I have never objected to taking on part of the blame of those relatives who came before me--and I do have ancestors who were part of that dispicable part of history. I started out my career willingly apologizing to my black students for the past sins of those who harmed their ancestors--and continued the bigotry of which I have always been painfully aware. And it isn't over yet.
However, I do not believe it is good for black children to continue viewing themselves as victims or being taught to expect mistreatment from white teachers, and other authority figures, etc. All too often it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
As a teacher, I knew that I wasn't to blame for the negative attitudes that students brought with them to the classroom. However, I did always believe it was my job as a teacher and a humanbeing to do everything I could to let my students know that I loved them (and I accepted the fact that for many black students it would be hard to trust me). I may nor have succeeded with every student, but I think I did often enough to have made a difference in the lives of some. Probably one of the greatest compliments that I recall was when a student called me a "reverse Oreo."
I do believe that teachers can do much to erase the preconceived and (taught) distrust of their minority students--but it does take effort. In the early years of my career, teachers were often the only representatives of the white race with whom black children came into contact on a regular basis--and I accepted that as my responsibility to be sure that was a good experience. Effort that definitely pays off. I guess I would go as far as to say if there are any teachers in District 150 who do not love their students (yes, I do mean love), then they really should not be teachers. Love is the ingredient that can change things.
However, love doesn't have to be and should not be permissive. We need to be sure that students receive appropriate consequences for their actions and then students should know that their teachers are willing to forgive them and allow them to start over on a new foot after the consequences have been served.
May I challenge all of us on this blog to begin by "forgetting" to put the word "black" or "white" in front of any negative statements about young people or even adults. What difference would it make if we reported that a gang of 50 or 60 young people was roaming a neighborhood? Do you really need to know what color they are? I thought justice in this country was supposed to be blind--can't it be colorblind, also? If you have misbehaving students in your classroom, they have to be labeled by color?
I understand that--when reporting a crime--a physical description is needed in apprehending the culprit--apart from that color is just not important. Bad behavior is bad behavior no matter who exhibits it.
It's only going to get worse. Time to admit that we can't get along, and go from there.
This is why you need the second amendment, folks. Oh, that's right, in Chicago it's not applicable. Reap what you sow.
Hi Em! Peoria Chronicle website has been shutdown for last few hours probably due to amount of hits. You see it is now linked via Drudgereport.com front and center under the headline: PANDEMONIUM IN PEORIA: MOB YELLS 'KILL ALL THE WHITE PEOPLE.'
Perhaps we'll see the national press descend on Paul's neighborhood.
I Just hope for their safety that they don't park in front of Eye in the Sky's property line. Lol
Read the next two articles following the one about Peoria. Child half dead in Columbia, SC after a group of black kids who had been roaming the streets all night beat him up while he was out jogging. They beat up someone else before that. A group of 50 black youth stormed the Walgreens on Michigan Ave.
Well organized, pre-meditated violence. They make their plans via the internet; twitter etc. Lovely!
If we can all maintain some kind of cool and humanity, we could solve these problems together (and that won't happen by believing that we can't get along). At some point all Americans will have to work together to convince our young people that violence isn't the answer to their problems. Otherwise, this country will not survive. I am disturbed enough by hearing about the violent and out- of-control behaviors of some young people, but I am equally disturbed by what I am hearing from adults who do not see that our own hatreds (and the hatreds of those who went before us) created this environment.
As a Christian, I believe that the unity that God expects from those of us who love Him is the the best route to putting an end to the racial hatreds that have plagued this country almost since its origin. Others who do not share my faith, of course, may have other responses to the problem--but that is my only basis for hope. And I might add that much of the problem is that many of us Christians (past and present) have not practiced the precepts of Christianity that would most surely lead to a solution. Maybe it's time for the "black" church and the "white" church to roll up our collective sleeves and get to work--together.
Yes, the internet and cell phones are playing their role in these violent activities--but we can use both to better the situation.
The "anonymous" comment about the KKK roaming 50-60 years ago, was actually me. Forgot to put name in it.
"Set the bar high and the student/parents will 'rise to the occasion'."
100% correct. The problem is that bleeding-heart do-gooders keep showcasing the soft bigotry of low expectations.
I'm in education too. The vast majority of the time high expectations are demanded by someone the kids know really cares about them, they step up. The vast majority of the time expectations are set low, that's where the kids perform too.
It's kind of a no-brainer. But bleeding hearts don't like conflict and don't like communicating with people they're in conflict with -- especially kids, who don't "fight fair." Some adults just don't know how to handle the lack of rationality that comes with the territory of working with kids. And a lot of do-gooders are hippie-esque folk whose mixed feelings about authority make it difficult for them to BE effective, respected authorities.
Ironically, such folk think authority is about mere power, then they end up fostering the politics of power between youth and themselves, their classes, their families, their communities -- whatever.
Society needs more adults who recognize their own authority. Lacking adults like that, we get swaggering kids who step in to substitute mere power over others.
My two cents.
To those who say it's the economy -- why? Is it a requirement for out-of-work people to terrorize their neighbors?
Of course not. It's a choice. People are choosing to act like thugs, like barbarians.
Three or four of the leaders of this uncivilized mob strung up on the gallows in North Peoria would soon make the others think twice before continuing their violence.
All animals!
Tell them to take their next robbery or welfare check and go back to Africa with all the other animals.
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