Second Saturday Night Special
As I write this blog post at 1:30 a.m. there is a 10-year old in the hospital who was shot Saturday night in downtown Indianapolis because a bunch of idiots don’t know how to behave in public.
I was there in downtown Indianapolis when nine people were shot this weekend. I was doing my annual tradition of working the door at Nikki Blaines Cigar and Martini lounge. At about 8:50 p.m. I got a call from a friend that the silliness that marks the second Saturday night of Expo weekend had begun. After making my way around the corner through the crowd of hoochies and hoodlums I found him. While we were talking several shots rang out.
People were screaming and running and we were trying to figure out what was going on. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department had cordoned off large sections of Illinois Street, Maryland, Meridian and Georgia. I was at Illinois and Maryland as a 10-year old boy was on the phone, I assumed it was his parents, trying to telling them where he was so they could come get him. He didn’t know exactly where so I helped him out. I thought to myself that should not have been necessary because he should have never been out in the first place.
And that is symbolic of the problem with the second Saturday of Expo weekend. I’ve written about this before, thousands of teenagers and adolescents running around unsupervised is just asking for trouble. And despite heavy police presence, a bunch of knuckleheads still came to a crowded public area, armed and looking for trouble.
What’s even more pathetic in all this is that the preachers who have been so quick to criticize police regarding Brandon Johnson were nowhere to be found in helping to keep the order. As one person put it to me “Now where’s Al Sharpton?”
For 9 and 1/2 days Indiana Black Expo is a great event. I was fortunate enough to attend the Corporate Luncheon, moderate a workshop designed to help women and minority-owned businesses and I emceed the Governor’s Award ceremony. But the good work of those events, as well as all the other decent work that took a lot of man hours to put together all went up in smoke, because a bunch of youth not only don’t know how to behave, but I would argue have been emboldened because of the professional protesting class.
I already told you about a teen purposefully resisting arrest so his mother could sue the Department for excessive force. And anyone who would pull out a gun and shoot at someone in area filled with law enforcement is obviously someone who doesn’t care and needs to be put away.
I saw several teenage girls arrested for fighting and a number of young men carted away in handcuffs. And what gets under my skin to absolutely no end is the fact that I have been complaining about the behavior of some of these young people for weeks.
This is going to sound really bad, and maybe it’s just the anger talking, but as far as I’m concerned after Saturday night, if an officer has to use excessive force to keep young people like the ones who did the shooting under control then so be it. That is not my problem and I frankly don’t care. There is a 10-year old who was shot because somebody decided to demonstrate they have no home training.
And that sentiment is being shared by a lot of people I spoke to this evening. The good work of Black Expo is going to be tarnished because a bunch of people don’t know how to behave. This is behavior is totally uncalled for.
And for those of you think this is about race, it isn’t. It’s about people being taught how to act in public. And if their parents won’t do it, which was pretty obvious Saturday night, maybe it’s time society did. I’ve always said that they only thing some people understand is a good you-know-what kicking. I think I have a pair of boots in the back of the closet that are up to doing the job.
July 18th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Very well said, Abdul!
***
Now, were these shooters followers of 'Rev Steven Clay', who has been advocating “No justice, NO PEACE!”??? Were they acting under orders of Steven Clay's newly formed minister's alliance???
July 18th, 2010 at 9:43 am
[...] Thumbs down on this. We’ve got to stop and figure out why this is happening in our city, pronto. [...]
July 18th, 2010 at 10:04 am
I understand your frustration. But we can never ever allow the few LEOs who behave badly, to have a green light to continue their behavior. Last night is exactly the kind of signal they DON'T need.
I don't understand the mentality, of parents who turn their 10-12 year-old kids loose on downtown streets and then wonder why there are problems. 12-year-old minds are not fully developed. They make stupid decisions. IMPD warned that the curfew would be enforced–which means, 14-under 11 PM deadline.
This is going to sound like those old folks who told me their “back in the day” stories when I was a kid, but…when I was 10, I was not allowed to leave my block alone after dark. Period. I could go with an adult somewhere. The magic age was 16, then there was a 10 pm curfew, which went up one hour with each year of age. We didn't have cell phones. So if you were going to be late, you didn't need to bother finding a pay phone. You were grounded. No excuses. And if I was friends with anyone whose rules weren't similar, I was told to leave those kids alone. My parents, managed my environment 24/7, and so did my friends' parents.
Then there's the whole too-many-guns portion of this sad situation.
The 6 pm CH. 8 news live segments, were from Conseco, where there was a Reggie Wayne celebrity basketball game. The news reporter was talking not about the game, but the 300 officers on downtown streets last night, who were sure there was going to be some kind of trouble on the Second Saturday Expo night. It was an eerie Death-Watch sort of report, oddly prescient.
So here's the upshot:
Black Expo planners, I'm sure a majority of the hoodlums involved in last night's shootings weren't attending your events. But you've GOT to get a handle on Second Saturday. And I don't EVER want to hear anyone complaining about “too much police presence” on that evening. With the air thick with anticipated violence, it would've been irresponsible if IMPD hadn't put a strong force on the streets.
Indy made CNN this morning. For the wrong reasons.
Yo will very likely see many downtown businesses close at 6 pm next year on Second Saturday. Lots of lost revenue, but then…not many non-Expo folks wander downtown on Second Saturday as it is.
Expo, heal thyself. You've been warned before about this. I know you've tried, but you've got to try harder.
Godspeed to those injured and their families. And thanks to IMPD for a difficult night.
July 18th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Excellent post Abdul.
“Think Again” – very well put.
I agree with all of the above.
July 18th, 2010 at 10:44 am
All the cries of police brutality when trying to keep the peace in the face of narcissism, thug behaviors, etc. will only do one thing, it will make the cops more cautious, more likely to not react as quickly as they once did. Why put your career on the line, your income to live life, just to try and save a few folks who want to act like animals? As the saying goes, why run to a fight when you can walk to a homicide?
“I don't understand the mentality, of parents who turn their 10-12 year-old kids loose on downtown streets and then wonder why there are problems.”
You understand it, you just don't want to admit the problem. This country used to be live and let live, survival of the fittest. Now it is bailout every moron, every fool, etc.. We steal from others to feed, cloth, and house millions of narcissistic, adult aged, layabouts and bums.
Unfortunately, instead of the state taking the kids from kids (kids having kids), we have this blissninnie idea that we can just hand 16 year olds welfare cards and everything will be great. When they turn 18, they become eligible for their very own apartment. What kind of young adult wouldn't want their own pad, especially when they only have to pay a small portion of the rent. So we have an adult, already engaged in risky and poor behaviors, and now they are on their own. Not surprisingly, baby two, then three, and maybe even four and five come along. And in ten years, this adult woman child, with no education, wants a night of peace, and decides to use Black Expo and IMPD as a free babysitting service. The kids, following the same path as their mom, end up in trouble, living their own rough life.
The welfare state, combined with hip-hop/gangsta culture, has destroyed black America. I honestly agree with what Abdul said a few years back: We have lost an entire generation of African-Americans. I think we likely have lost two entire generations. Want to change it, go back to hard life America. No work, no food. Get rid of Section 8 and force families to live together. Yank kids from poor people if there is a true danger.
Personally, I don't see things getting any better, I think they get will get worse. There have always been shootings at Black Expo, at least over the last 10 years. Now we are seeing multiple people getting shot during expos. Just a few years ago, six people were shot. Now we have ten. It will never end, because of the type of people that flock to the area on the second Saturday. Some will blame guns, fine, maybe we should ban African-Americans from owning guns? We don't have these incidents at Gen-Con, at the Speedway, or during FFA. Why should I lose my right to own a device which provides me and mine great personal protection?
Again, things will only get worse in big cities with large welfare/poor populations. Within the last year, there have been reports from suburban Detroit, Kansas City, and Denver, where large groups of black youths are congregating. Problems always seem to arise. The underlying issue: Most of these youths are from poor to working class families, likely with a few rich kids who want to play gangsta thrown in. They ride the bus or drive to these areas, and mimic the pop culture icons they look up to: 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, etc.. No wonder things are bad, and not looking to get better anytime soon.
What really upsets me, is that in the face of all this violence on this one night, on this one day, people in the community have the audacity to verbally attack any downtown business that closes its doors at say 6-7PM on Saturday. The business owners get called racist. If they owner says none of his/her employees are willing to work, the employees get called racist. If I owned a downtown business establishment, I would be closing down at 6PM, if not earlier, on the second Saturday. I would not put myself or my employees at risk of taking a stray bullet. If the race hustlers want to come and picket, fine. I will get facts and figures: How many folks have been shot, bullets fired, etc.. I won't sit back and be painted as a racist just because I made a business decision based on personal safety. I don't care if they have every single IMPD officer working, I would be closing earlier to get out of dodge.
July 18th, 2010 at 11:41 am
“I don't understand the mentality, of parents who turn their 10-12 year-old kids loose on downtown streets and then wonder why there are problems.”
Base policy on one standard deviation down, on average.
July 18th, 2010 at 11:49 am
I think those days are over, Nomoremail. No one's going to criticize a business owner for closing. It's a matter of employee and customer safety. Clearly.
But…please don't tell me what I “don't understand.” I truly don't get it. It's not an issue of failure to admit it to myself. I used to own a small shop near downtown, and if I still did, I'd close at 5 PM on Expo weekends.
As for guns…it's clear too many folks who shouldn't have them, do have them. There are many ways to deal with that. What we're doing is not working. I don't want to limit your right to own a gun.
But we've got to reshuffle the deck and think about gun solutions. We are the only civilized nation in the world with this kind of gun problem. Think about that.
July 18th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Hey TA the next time you need a cop, call one of you little gangsta buddies.Your continueing bashing of IMPD is getting old.
I got a kick out of the girls running away from the gun shots laughing like its a game.
Then Tanya Bell makes a statement that these problems are not related to IBE..Excuse me? Even a socialist police hater like TA must admitt that this happened because of the IBE.
July 18th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
“No one's going to criticize a business owner for closing. It's a matter of employee and customer safety. Clearly.”
Amos Brown already questioned it on his show. If you close down, prepare for the wrath. I think after this, and the last mass shooting just a couple of years ago, it will be easier for these owners to fight the claims they close 'because of black people.' Remember the Steak 'N Shake issue last year, or maybe the year before? They got blasted for being closed for a remodel, yet were serving the law enforcement of the city.
“I truly don't get it.”
You don't write stupid, so I don't understand why you want to claim how you “don't get it.” Are you that oblivious to the fact that we have third worlders living in this country, and have for decades? It seems everyone else gets it, except liberals who want to believe in this mystical lala land where folks with poor morals and behaviors magically live like middle and upper income class folks. This behavior is similar to rioting college kids who celebrate a sport victory by trashing property, flashing boobs, etc.. The liberals who run the universities get up and claim “We don't know why they do this.” Duh, its the alcohol, mixed in with pack mentality, and current pop culture of the perpetual spring break.
I have been watching the news videos this morning. It seems most folks think these shootings are now funny, something that you must be a part of. Laughing at people getting shot, laughing while people have to run for their lives, etc.. Sad.
July 18th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
I was watching Channel 8 news this morning, and saw the 'kids' running and LAUGHING about the 'funshots' — yes, I used the 'f' intentionally.
What's depressing is that NO ONE on the news is commenting on these 'kids' laughing about gunshots.
I wonder how much it costs to have 300 LEOs out there? And today, there will be about 210 LEOs.
How many LEOs are out there for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) convention? How many shootings and arrests happen at FFA conventions?
Opppsss….not politically correct to talk about this, huh ??
July 18th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Sadly, the ten-year-old likely has a twenty-three-year-old mother who was laughing as she ran from the gunshots. As for a father, it is just as likely that said ten-year-old has never met him. In a nutshell, this is the problem.
July 18th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
I don't think we make headway until we get off the sidelines in parenting. We may be the only country with our gun issues (I don't know), but we're also the only country that subsidizes statistically inferior parenting (both single and abysmal bilological). Combine that with our lack of a homogeneous culture, declining work ethic, and our dysfunctional economics- and America has big challenges. It's not that any method of parenting is exclusively bad, it's that with everything going on in America, it doesn't exist in a vaccuum either. To top it off, with the decline of religion and prior mentioned factors, we have this semi-maniacal bent to bend over backwards in “not judging”- way beyond any common sense.
Not judging is not working. There need to be limits on bonehead parenting decisions- from state inspection every six months for a couple of years for a single Mom receiving a check, to capping biological reunitifications after the child has been taken from the home, to fining/jail time/removal from the home for parents who can't keep their children off the streets.
It's not that race, economics, gender and other demographics don't influence and muddy the waters on parenting. It's not that some portions of our varied population don't have their own respective challenges. But, we can no longer let some demographic “free pass” justify the continued degeneration of our civilization, particularly our children, particularly as our global competitors prepare their kids to compete against us.
July 18th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Another event that was taking place last night was a union protest in front of the AT&T building, there were about 30 union members protesting AT&T about being unfair.
It seems the union officials that stagged the protest first would have thought about the safety of it's members. With gunfire ringing throughout the downtown last evening, one might of thought to cancel the event, but NO! these clowns even went walking the streets of downtown carrying their signs, chanting, about unfair treatment. But wasn't that an oxy-moron on the unions part?
July 18th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
“And for those of you think this is about race, it isn’t. It’s about people being taught how to act in public. And if their parents won’t do it, which was pretty obvious Saturday night, maybe it’s time society did. I’ve always said that they only thing some people understand is a good you-know-what kicking. I think I have a pair boots in the back of the closet that are up to doing the job.”
I have not posted here before but I will due to the last paragraph Abdul posted. Take out your boots and proclaim the kicking be done on the adults who continue to set the standard that it is alright to break the law whether white collar, crimes against persons or street violence are the acts. The “elite” public officials that hide behind their wealthy friends, family and political ties should be called out into the sunlight first and made an example of.
All of you have complained and moaned about children's test scores and how are children do not pay attention. I was on the side of the law that interviewed children committing crime and they always asked why nothing was done about the adults that continued to get away with bigger crimes then they pulled. OUR children are extremely smart and we do not understand they follow their pattern of life after they acts they see by adults.
Quit complaining about race and money to certain groups and clean your own houses of the “white collar slime” that sits by and continues to put ALL OF US in peril by their defrauding people and never have any worry about punishment.
As Abdul so well put it it is about how people should act in public. Let us start with our public officials, our appointed officials and our leaders…the young will follow with leadership by example!
Several people have a pair of boots and some of you have the power to use them. How about leading by example. It sure would be refreshing instead of all the finger pointing and whining.
July 18th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Those FFA kids are sweethearts. But then they don't have a parent who was 12 when they were born. They have parents who are engaged in their upbringing.
I started worrying about this back in 80's when I noticed a dramatic uptick in the number of black teenagers having babies. I knew it was going to be bad and sure enough about 15 to 20 years later is when this started.
By the way The Deer Expo full of right wing gun nuts was this weekend in Birmingham. I heard they haven't had a single shooting.
July 18th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I think any business owner who forces his employees to work on this night would be open to neglience charges as it is a reoccuring problem during the second Saturday night of Black Expo. What happens when restaurants are closed or boarded up for the Teen Bling night. I wonder [1] why IBE closes their eyes to this problem and, [2] why parents let their children go to this event.
July 18th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Wow, taxpayer. That's well said.
I also think we need to require mandatory random drug testing for anyone on a government subsidy from unemployment to welfare.
July 18th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
“they always asked why nothing was done about the adults that continued to get away with bigger crimes then they pulled.”
That is a very good point. They see the politicians disobey the law, so why shouldn't they? It's been a long time since I was a kid, but that is probably I would have said then. Kids want to see consistency from adults. Why should they behave when adults do whatever they want and get away with it?
July 18th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
TA, we need stricter and earlier curfew, I agree. And of course you were grounded and punished by your parents when you violated the law. But, I bet your mom was not 12 when you were born either.
I'm so embarassed for my city this morning.
July 18th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
While I disagree with Abdul alot I must say this is a very good post. I was very disappointed when I heard about the shooting last night on the news.
It is a shame because the Black Expo is really a wonderful event for 9 1/2 days.
July 18th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Rich & poor are the terminology of condescension; the currency of envy & derision, the language of tax thieving, self serving bureaucrats.
There's no understood number or threshold (all pretense aside, “journalistic” or otherwise) for poverty or wealth because their true meanings are of the spirit and not material.
There are no material, “money” or “gun” solutions. There are only people solutions, whose spiritual condition is programatically ravaged, by the self interests of those who seek to divide & take or tax.
It's not merely that our public servants are corrupt, WE ARE CORRUPT. We need cultural (American) atonement, confession; a return rather than denial, of natural curiosity in our spiritual development & well being. No pile of gold will do it “for us,” only we can make it so.
If the “clergy” is to remain relevant rather than silent, they should be LEADING the way forward with the confidence of faith, toward salvation; not shopping souls to politicians (non profit statists), red party to blue party, agency to agency door, for the highest market price.
July 18th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Amen!!!!
July 18th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Abdul,
This is very well said.
July 18th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Their parents were working.Someone has to pay for those white T-shirts and guns
July 18th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Did Jesus ever demand a grant from the Mayor of Jerusalem to put his word out, while clad in Stacy Adams and driving an Escalade? And upon his failure to provide a moral code of individual control and responsibility to his flock, after several incidents of gunfire resulting in injury and property damage, deflect his fresponsibility and blame to the Roman centurions, all the while screaming “No Justice, No Peace!” ?? or was that one of the Bible chapters that Emperor Theodosius got rid of ? Just wondering..maybe there is a precedent that I'm not aware of..
July 18th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
The City must deny permits for future IBE events after 5pm on 'second saturday.' The traditional saturday night schedule is simply NOT WORKING!
July 18th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
“The traditional saturday night schedule is simply NOT WORKING! “
Some would say don't change anything. They would rather these gun toting thugs shoot at each other in downtown Indy than in their neighborhood.
July 18th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Thank you for being you. I admire your honesty, integrity and courage. After all this, let's try to figure out why the local media won't report the whole story when race is involved.
The media never said that Brandon Johnson attacked a police officer while the officer was cuffing his brother.
WHY DID THE MEDIA LEAVE THAT OUT? Keep doin what you're doin.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
[...] check out Abdul Hakim-Shabazz’s Second Saturday Night Special post. I echo what he’s [...]
July 18th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Abdul, please bring the mayor and chief on your show for an interview over the 2nd Sat . black expo event. I think it is way past time for ending all teenage events on that day. This is the only day there are problem….
July 18th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
The White unwed teenage pregnancy rate is now higher than that of the African American teen age unwed pregnancy group.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
I am 300%in agreement with Think Again. I am just wondering Where Rev, Al Sharpton is on this problem. Does he still think the police are too tough? I pray for the families of the shot ones and even that the shooter of this mess gets help to straighten his or her brain out…. Tired of all the shootings.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
interestingly ultra-Republican Jocelyn Tandy was marching holding a “No peace, no justice” with Bishop Benjamin last Monday at the City County Building.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I too as a single black mother felt nothing but shame and embarrassment for not only our city but our race. How are we ever going to rise above if we don't teach our children any better than this? Like it or not what your child does is a reflection of his or her home raising. To the parents of the girls dressed like tramps that praided up and down the street for attention what where you thinking? The language,wow I guess one would have to been there. Disgusting is putting it mildly. So much negative energy from our young people today. We have 365 days a year and I guess this is the only day they can come out and show how ignored they are. Please don't say they have nothing to do, believe me from looking and listening to them they have have plenty and you as parents could help by educating this lost generations. As a parent how proud was you to see your son or daughter on national TV fighting? How would you feel if you had to receive a call your child had been shot for no reason at all? Wake up parents these are your children. We were lucky this time no one died…………..Too late to wake up when its yours and they tell you I'm sorry he's gone. Parents it needs to start with YOU.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Ramon…then we're looking at the same epidemic coming to mostly white neighborhoods too.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I so agree but it doesn't matter if a child knows his father or not or the age of his mother. We all know right from wrong and bad behavior is just an excuse for poor up bringing.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Rek2,
MSNBC simply talked about downtown shootings. MSNBC made no mention whatsoever that the shootings took place as the IBE concert let out and that downtown Indy is normally not dangerous or violent. That should tell everyone who didn't get it before why MSNBC has the lowest news rating.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Why bring the Mayor on to talk about anything to do with Crime? He states that the shootings and crime and murders are down from a year ago. Don't know where this mam lives, but our streets are terrible with crime.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
You guys,
A plan is underway to bring back the God Lot parties using abandoned lots and led by Dave Scott, the inner city Pastor the media once nicknamed, The Hood Shepherd.
We're envisioning as many as 100 parties at a time, with food, music, lots of love, and plenty of adults for mentoring.
The plan for the initial roll out is 4 parties. We've already scouted locations and met with the city. The skeleton of a website is built. I envision giving the keys to the party blog over to the kids to run.
I didn't intend to let this cat out of the bag just yet, cause we don't have a date for the first one, and the urban garden leases aren't signed yet. However, they will be.
Everyone is looking for a solution, so I thought I should go ahead and talk about the plans we're hatching.
The lots used this year for the parties, will be next years spring gardens. Gardening and violence don't work too well together, do they? There is much opportunity for healing on many levels including both body and spirit. But most of all our city needs to heal and what we've been doing for years has not been working.
The God Lot did work.
Dave and I share a vision of 100 or more of the God Lot parties eventually happening simultaneously throughout the inner city on Saturday nights. I would like to have 100 going by summer's end, but I don't know how much land will come available. I feel very certain that every resource needed for this project will be donated, especially in light of last night's news.
All hands will be needed on deck.
Watts World…We've got some meaningful work for you to do. How much volunteer time can you donate each week?
July 18th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
35 years ago St. Johns MB church did the same “urban gardens with kids” on the Eastside involving 1500 youth…
July 18th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Can't wait for Amos and his race peddlers to start being appolgists and try to find someone else to blame.
Perhaps they should take a long hard look at themselves first.
July 18th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Interesting Wilson. That would have been in the early 70's during America's big clean up the pollution campaign, right? What do you know about the project?
July 18th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
That must be a directive straight from Eric Holder and our justice department.
July 18th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
“The media never said that Brandon Johnson attacked a police officer while the officer was cuffing his brother.” Is this a fact or is this not a fact? It seems to be a fact that Eric Holder's Black Panther Justice Department is now involved…..maybe to help OJ find the real killer?
July 18th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
I find it interesting that the Gov is cutting jobs but has enough money in these state agencies to give money to IBE.Let me get this traight..my tax dollars are supporting IBE? Im a Mitch fan, but this is BS.He cuts jobs then gives these gangstas cash?
Indiana Department of Transportation
Indiana State Department of Health
Indiana State Fair Commission
Indiana State Police
IndyGo
Then I see that 1-800-quit-now tshirts are being worn by the concernd clergy involved in the IBE.Thats my money!
July 18th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
First, as a Black male, I am embarrassed of what occurred last night. I am embarrassed that a group of people that are supposed to be celebrating history, advancement, and achievements in the Black community can not come together without some type of violent crime.
I questioned the validity of Al Sharpton's visit, at what point, do the Pastors of our community say enough is enough. So many people have jumped on the band wagon of the Brandon Johnson case, but so few have addressed the Black on Black crime that we have here in the city. Where is self respect and and self accountability?
The president of Black Expo seemed surprise that so many kids are left downtown to aimlessly walk the streets. This is not something new. This has occurred time after time after time. We complain of the Police presence, We complain the Police are racist, We complain of businesses that close early as to avoid any possible issues.
However, it seems we never complain on ourselves. So many of my white counterparts ask how come this does not happen at the FFA convention or Indy 500, and even Brickyard 400. Now off course there are arrests at Indy 500 and Brickyard for the usual Public Intoxication etc. but FFA it seems those kids know how to behave.
I did see the Ten Point coalition out in full force last night, and the occasional minister. Maybe two of them at most. However, I did not see the full force that has been shown on TV and quoted in the Newspaper out there last night. Why is that? Am I being foolish to believe that it seems, when it has the appearance of white vs black, many of them are tripping over one another to get the mic? However, when it's Black on Black crimes, it's another day in the neighborhood?
I ask again, where was Al Sharpton: Where was Rev Clay, Where was Pastor Benjamin: Where was Pastor Jeffery Johnson? Where were they?
We as a community need not only to come together but also accept responsibility and take action. I'm tired of just talking, it's time to start doing!
July 18th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Glad I am not the only one that noticed all the state agencies that are spending money on this event. I will leave it to others to decide if it was a good investment.
July 18th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
I know that Black Expo is important to Indy but….until Black Expo takes ownership of this problem and until Black Expo takes positive steps to prevent outbreaks in the future, Indy needs to withhold any monies and tax breaks including the passing through of federal grants.
The press release from Black Expo concerning this event is insulting to every law abiding citizen in Indianapolis.
Every year something happens that has the potential to take a life and as important as Black Expo is…. it's not more important than a single life.
July 18th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
No it's not. The illegitimacy rate in the black community is a whopping 70%!! No wonder they're having problems!!
July 18th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Amen! Jesus talked about personal responsibility and living a holy lifestyle! Wake up, ministers!
July 18th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
“And for those of you think this is about race, it isn’t”. What Elephant in What Room?
July 19th, 2010 at 12:51 am
I would love for Abdul to check this out.Most of the omeny comes from a Republican admin, so he may not.But he does have the balls to get it done , if he wants
July 19th, 2010 at 1:30 am
Hearing about stuff like this makes Indianapolis sound like Detroit. Why don't they just move IBE there?
Every year, it's always something. People getting shot while the gas station a block away is being robbed, the guy who drove drunk into all of the parked cars on our street and killed himself, and drunks walking through our front gate to pee all over our sidewalk and throw up on our bushes. Littering is especially bad.
Enough is enough. IBE really ruins it for us every year it goes on.
This is just one of the many reasons why I hightailed it out of Indianapolis in January. I feel bad for my family that's still there.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:36 am
Hey Jessie read again you bird brain. I didn't bash them. Far from it. Label someone else.
And Ms. Bell is sadly mistaken.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:37 am
Where? Not here.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:39 am
You could only hope to feed your racist nonsense, Rico. Alas, this Justice Dept. is far more civil than its predecessor. And Liberty U. law grads aren't in charge of important departments.
Mail-order lawyers doing neocon business That was perfect, huh?Perfect.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Do we have a Public Safety Director in Indianapolis?
How can a Public Safety Director allow IBE to continue, year after year, to be the catalyst for an incomparable alchemy that results in mayhem, tremendous police and EMS resources donated to Expo by the Public Safety Director, property damage, and multiple trauma center admissions (paid for by taxpayers as welfare)?
Our Liberal Public Safety Director, with Slick Willie's pic behind him in many photos, even provides IBE with babysitting service during the mayhem at our expense, which he calls “curfew sweep.”
The results are predictable and recur every year because the Public Safety Director lacks moral courage to do the right thing and take all necessary action to end the mayhem!
IBE serves as the catalyst every year on the Saturday night in July; the city pays hundreds more officers than normal to be downtown, many gunshots will ring out downtown, people will be shot, property will be damaged, riotous crowds suppressed…and what will IBE do about it?
Every year IBE releases the same old statement: “We are saddened by the reported incidents that occurred downtown this evening. The incidents were isolated from the IBE events…” I wonder if that silly release wasn't used on the first Expo. It's the same year after year! I'm tired of hearing it! I remember Charles Williams using it on me years ago when I asked about accepting responsibility for the violence.
IBE must accept responsibility, acknowledge that IBE is the catalyst for an incomparable alchemy of violence, and take proper action to stop the violence! We all know what will happen on Expo Saturday night every year, yet every year IBE turns the other way and says the same thing in it's press release. Does that comment help anyone? Is it responsible?
Why doesn't the Public Safety Director take a proper stand and end this violence? I'm starting to think the pic of Slick Willie says it all: Does anyone remember the famous liberal saying 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms Lewinsky…'
Well, has our Public Safety Director failed to show any moral courage and stand up to IBE and tell them “enough is enough”, our Public Safety Demands an end to this???
July 19th, 2010 at 1:57 am
Excellent thoughts, but are you aware that under Govs. Bayh and O'Bannon, welfare moms were subjected to 3X the inspections (than prior) ? And guess what it showed?
Most on welfare deserved it. We were 4th or 5th lowest in the nation, per capita, for waste.
Your point about parenting is superb. I don't know how to do it, but if I could wave magic wand, I would.
Fault for these shootings remain at the feet of:
1. The shooters
2. The gun merchants, if the shooters should not have had a gun, and if they obtained it via normal retail methods.
3. IBER, for planning a “Teen Bling” event, focused on 10-14-year-olds, on Second Saturday, and knowing full-well that a large number of collateral-hangers-on would be parentless and on the streets that night.
4. Parents who allow their children out alone on a night like this.
My God take one look at the IBE schedule, and you could predict the potential trouble. IBE: here's a hint, free of charge:
Move your Gospel Event to Sat. night, make it a family event, and hold it in a large venue. If you put your ear to the ground, the offering on the current Sunday service isn't as large as pastors typically get, so they'd be happier to have “regular” Sunday services at respective churches. I love black gospel music, but won't miss my regular church to hear it on Sunday morning downtown at IBE.
Or find some similar popular family program, so that Second Saturday stops becoming what it has become: parents go out to eat, kids maraud downtown Indy alone, too late, with too little common sense and too much attitude/swagger/mouth.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:57 am
**IBE, without the “R”
July 19th, 2010 at 2:03 am
On enough already with the Jocelyn references. Nobody pays attention to her, except when you post something like this. Don't you get tired?
July 19th, 2010 at 2:06 am
Elizabeth: This is South Gary, Indiana!
July 19th, 2010 at 2:49 am
Perhaps we're debating the chicken or egg: If we're talking about youth access to guns, then is that a bigger issue versus lack of parents riding herd on the kids? Is the whole of the Brandon Johnson issue the police behavior, or do we also include the fact that the officers showed up because his brother was involved in a break-in? Is the repetition of the cycle of poverty in this country because we don't offer sufficient monetary support to those who “deserve it”, or because we make it too easy to be a lifestyle choice?
I don't think there's a single answer. My definite opinion is we don't demand enough individual accountability for the consequences of our actions- white collar or blue collar, regardless of race, age, gender, etc.
We might agree that we're presently on the road to hell- whether it's real or a reasonable facsimile: morally, statistically, and fiscally. Unfortunately, there's a point at which the fiscal perspective doesn't care what the other two have to say.
July 19th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Did those Union members have guns drawed? Did they shoot anybody?
July 19th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Could you just see Public Safety Director (who is white) try to ban IBE? He would be labeled a racist at the start.
July 19th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
What is racist, A-hole, is choosing not to pursue charges of voter intimidation if the alleged perpetrators are black. That is your justice department. Holder's former law firm represents Gitmo detainees for free. You and your Party haven't a clue how to keep America safe. And quit referring to me as racist!
July 19th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
I have been requied to work this event for many years. Every year it gets worse, and more people shot 10 this year. Lets not forget the explosion. It was not firecrackers it was a device that could have killed many. Guess the news needs to down play this and the fact that several Officers were shot at as they called on the radio of bullets hitting the building behind them. Don't think that made the news. I think it not verry responsable for the city to require police to continue to work an event that is a danger to citizens and police alike and do nothing to try to change the event to make it safer. Ideas have been given from the rank and file for years how to improve the safety but comming from a patrolman no one cares or will listen we are not good enough to help fix the problem.
July 20th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
Every year we know that on Expo Saturday there will be rioting, shots fired, people shot, property damaged…..
What's wrong with this? Why hasn't Expo changed? Why has Expo continued a custom of denial…Allow me to tell you next year's press release (unless the Public Safety Director does what has to be done) “We regret the events of Saturday, July, 2011. The events were isolated from Black Expo….”