OPINION:
As someone who attended last weekend’s Juneteenth celebration in D.C., I can say it was a disappointing event as far as improvement of the African American experience goes. The Metropolitan Police Department’s main focus at the event I attended was distancing the happening from last Sunday’s deadly Moechella celebration, at which a 15-year-old was shot to death (“Teen killed, officer, 2 adults shot at unpermitted ’Moechella’ event in D.C.,” Web, June 19).
Why was a gathering of that size allowed to occur in the first place? Apparently, in D.C. illegal gatherings are acceptable as long as there is no physical harm done (which was of course not the case here). Such has been the de facto rule since the summer of 2020’s “Defund the police” destruction and looting. Yet the negligence of police in not enforcing security measures until bodily harm occurred is unconscionable.
Let this be a lesson to public officials and law enforcement: The modern generation of youth is nothing like past generations, whose members were at least taught how to act in public and respect others. These days, youth seek social-media fame and recognition for causing chaos, and they relish carnage for “street creds.” This is a generational problem and a crisis in Black America.
These young people are setting a precedent of violent behavior, which will cancel or limit public access to future events. We must immediately implement stricter law enforcement to prevent deliberate disruption of public celebrations. D.C.’s weak approach is being exploited by everybody, not just repeat criminals.
GREG RALEIGH
Washington
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