OPINION:
It amazes me that liberal voters believe holding Black city mayors accountable is racism. Now that our president has made observations about Chicago and Baltimore, let us not forget that these issues have existed in several urban areas for decades.
Unfortunately, Black Democrats have managed these areas over the past decades with such bad results. I have worked and lived in several of these cities, so I can attest to the ugly truth about the failed leadership of our Democratic leaders, which includes all our congressional members and most pundits and social and community activists. These individuals have exploited the suffering of our communities, pretending to be advocates while offering promises they fail to keep, all to enrich themselves.
The level of denial among Black Americans, coupled with an acceptance mentality, is tragic. This situation has choked the life out of these urban areas to a point that populations are in significant decline and crime has taken over.
It should not have to take presidential action to start a serious discussion about how we need to turn around our circumstances.
From the 1940s through the 1970s, leaders consistently sacrificed for the good of the community. There was a belief that Black Americans involved in public policy would result in healthier, economically improved neighborhoods. Our schools would be improved and our streets would be safer.
Today, however, the Black communities in every major city measure near or at the bottom in every social and economic indicator. School grades are poor, crime is high, buildings are abandoned and HIV is spreading. I lived in Los Angeles, and it is the same situation there, except that the Crips and Bloods gangs are involved.
Of course, I rarely hear of any TV news organizations asking for accountability from Black leaders, but they will invite commentators to attack the president for telling the truth! It is unfortunate that only President Trump has the courage to say what we have been denying about ourselves for the past 50 years.
All this was done before the current administration, so I wonder why the media never criticize those officials, never hold them accountable.
GREG RALEIGH
Washington
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