Columnist Gregory Kane recently wrote a commentary asking why Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and other “prominent” leaders do not make as much noise about “Black on Black” crime as they do other issues.  He specifically mentioned the West Palm Beach, Florida case of a Haitian immigrant being gang raped and her teen son brutalized by a group of Black, teenagers.   Although the case deserves to be focused on, BH’s Adeeba Folami took issue with some of Kane’s comments.  Below is her July 29 response to the Black America Web feature:

Greetings Mr. Kane,

After reading your commentary, “In What’s Possibly the Worst Black on Black Crime in Decades, Why are Al & Jesse So Silent?,”  I believe I understand your frustrations, however, I do not find that using the names of civil-rights era leaders to draw attention to a column is any solution to the stated problem.  These leaders, of whom you also mentioned Louis Farrakhan, Julian Bond, “reparations advocates,” and “the diversity police,” have been called out many times before because some are dissatisfied with the issues they choose to focus on.  Your complaint is that none of them have made Black on Black crime a top issue and specifically the recent West Palm Beach, Florida  gang rape and torture of a Haitian immigrant and her teenage son by Black, teen assailants.

Why did you leave Bill Cosby off of your list of leaders who have been silent on the travesty?  Armstrong Williams? “Black women leaders?”  Never mind that those you did identify by name are 50+ years old and, according to some should take a seat and pass the baton to the next generation of Black leaders.  I have heard this complaint for years but these younger leaders are apparently still at the back of the bus, especially when it comes time to criticize the direction and efforts of those who have become scapegoats for all that is wrong with Black leadership.  At least the criticized are doing something other than complaining about what other Blacks are doing (or not doing), right? 

Why is it that the new generation of leaders are so often left out of the equation in situations like this?  Where are they and why are you not questioning them about their lack of focus on Black on Black crime?  Why are you not citing their failure to make the Florida tragedy and others like it THE key issue for Blacks to focus on?  The field is wide open for these young leaders but they are as silent about the issue you raised as anyone else – or are they?  Maybe some of their efforts are being overlooked because the knee-jerk reaction for some has always been the one expressed in your column title.     Maybe some are so focused on big names that they fail to look to younger, lesser known leaders to confirm their action or inaction on any given issue.

The terrible crime you mentioned took place in a public housing project – Dunbar Village – in Florida, but is that state void of Black leaders?  Was there an outcry from the local Black community?  Form the local Haitian community?  Where were/are they since they would better be able to unite and address issues of Black on Black crime there, (which has been long term).

You quoted Martin Luther King, Jr. in a book written in 1958 in which he said, “Our crime rate is too high,” then you went on to say that not one U.S. “prominent Black leader exists who has the guts to say “Our crime rate is too high” and make that the issue Black Americans must face head on and deal with.”

Are you kidding me?  Was not the theme of the 1995 Million Man March, called by Min. Louis Farrakhan, all about Black men taking responsibility for their misbehaviors (including crime and sexual abuse)?  That is much more recent than what MLK wrote in the ’50s but it could be that you are as unaware of Min. Farrakhan’s statements as I am of  Dr. King’s protests, boycotts and/or marches against Black on Black crime.  I do not recall  that issue being on the top of his priority list and thus fail to understand your logic in using him or his quote to further the aim of your commentary.

It is clear what your position is about those you view as “misleaders” but if you feel there is a void in leadership that needs to be filled, have you accepted the challenge?  You are 55 years old so it could be that the younger generation views you in the same light as you view the “misleaders” in your column.  Therefore, why knock what people your age and higher are doing (or not doing)?  There is a saying that “every knock is a boost” so rather than continue boosting up those you disagree with, why not step up to the plate yourself or question/motivate those who feel that the baton of “Black leadership” is now, or should be,  in their hands.

In closing, THANK YOU for bringing the Dunbar Village tragedy to  the attention of many who otherwise had not heard about it.

Sincerely,

Adeeba Folami
The Black House
adeeba@bhonline.org