Chicago, Obama, the Olympics, and the Murder of Derrion Albert

Chicago does not deserve the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. What the people of Chicago (and other urban American cities) deserve is a domestic Marshall Plan -- an action agenda that will, once and for all, deal with failing schools, terrible housing conditions, limited job, career, and business opportunities, and a culture of violence, mayhem, and hopelessness that led to the very recent beating death of a teen named Derrion Albert, at the hands of other teenagers, no less.

Cellphone footage showing a group of teens viciously kicking and striking Albert with splintered railroad ties has ramped up pressure on Chicago officials to address the violence epidemic that has led to dozens of deaths of city teens each year. The graphic video of the afternoon melee emerged on local news stations and YouTube (before it was summarily removed by the social networking site), showing the fatal beating of Derrion Albert, a sophomore honor roll student at Christian Fenger Academy High School. His death was the latest addition to a rising toll: More than 30 students were killed last school year, and the city could exceed that number this year.

Prosecutors charged four teenagers with fatally beating Albert, who was walking to a bus stop when he got caught up in the mob street fighting, authorities said. The violence stemmed from a shooting earlier that morning involving two groups of students from different neighborhoods, said a spokesperson for the Cook County prosecutor's office. When school ended, members of the groups began fighting near the Agape Community Center.

During the attack, captured in part on a bystander's cellphone video, Albert is struck on the head by one of several young men wielding wooden planks. After he falls to the ground and appears to try to get up, he is struck again and then kicked. Authorities said Albert was a bystander and not part of either group. Prosecutors have charged Silvonus Shannon, 19, Eugene Riley, 18, Eric Carson, 16, and Eugene Bailey, 18, with first-degree murder.

In a terrible case of bad timing, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark to lobby hard for the 2016 Olympics to come to the Windy City. Here was part of Mr. Obama's pitch: "One of the legacies I want to see coming out of the Chicago 2016 hosting of the Games is a reminder that America at its best is open to the world," he said. "We are putting the full force of the White House and the State Department to make sure that not only is this a successful Games, but that visitors from around the world feel welcome and will come away with a sense of the incredible diversity of the American people."

But, to date, the only thing President Obama, who made Chicago his adopted hometown thanks in part to his wife and Chitown native daughter Michelle, has said, has come through White House press secretary Robert Gibbs: "Chilling."

Yes, just one word. Chilling. And that response was only after a reporter asked about the murder of Derrion Albert. So the questions beg to be asked: Why was a sporting event more important than the human lives that are being routinely taken on the streets of Chicago? How could the president, on the one hand, chide fathers over a year ago for not taking more responsibility in the lives of their children and their communities, yet remain virtually silent on this tragic killing of Derrion Albert? Is Mr. Obama going to make a trip to Chicago to talk about the issue of youth violence, or, at the very least, give a speech on it and lay out an agenda to address this social ill plaguing our nation? Will Mr. Obama invite Derrion's mother to the White House, as he did Professor Henry Louis Gates and Sgt. James Crowley? And who, praytell, is going to make the people of Chicago feel welcome in their own neighborhoods, Olympic Games or not?

I am from inner-city America. I was born and raised there, and but for the grace of God, my mother's uncanny knack for survival and, yes, one incredible educational opportunity after another, I would not be writing this essay this very moment. And I am very clear that it was because of a combination of a movement by the people (the Civil Rights Movement) and the government response to that mass energy in the form of a sweeping legislative agenda, that ghetto children like me were able to attend quality schools, participate in meaningful afterschool programs, and have access to free breakfast and lunch programs that kept our eyes open and firmly on the prize.

But the 1980s crack era and Reagan administration reversals of many of those very minimal gains destroyed the fabric of our communities, ripped apart families, and, all these years later, has left a generation of Black and Latino young people, male and female alike, living their own versions of William Golding's Lord of The Flies. If you think I am exaggerating, then simply Google the video of the Derrion Albert beatdown. Only a people who have lost all hope, who have no sense of spirituality and the preciousness of human life, would resort to this kind of savagery, the pummeling or shooting of each other until death is there, sprawled on the ground, blood gushing from the head, as was the case with young Derrion.

Yes, the protests will come, the candles will be lit, and the eulogies will be sung. But the violence in Chicago, New York City, Oakland, New Orleans, and every other large American city will not end until we decide, individually and collectively, to make it end. And as President Obama pushed for the Olympics to come to Chicago, let us not forget that Los Angeles, after hosting the Games in 1984, saw an explosion of gang violence, and one of the worst riots in American history in 1992 on the heels of the infamous Rodney King verdict. No amount of gloss and fanfare can ever cover up the real work that needs to be done to give every single American, especially younger people, a sense of life, a sense of possibilities, a sense of real hope.

Kevin Powell is an activist, and the author or editor of 10 books, including his newest essay collection, Open Letters to America. He can be reached at www.kevinpowell.net

 

 

Comments

[madmonq]

The same solution to the same problems. That have been going on now. For decades. Yes the severity ebbs & flows. But I've been hearing the same set of concerns & complaint since I was a kid. What's nearly as bad is that many like Kevin Powell don't realize that that solution have been attempted for just as long only to have pretty much the same result: None. It's embarrassing. I do believe Kevin Powell is a smart person, just not a clever one. If government aid/programs/money hasn't helped over these decades, maybe new ideas should be proposed and implemented. I'm with Mr Cosby and my mother on this.

P.S. Mr Powell. You've been burnishing your ghetto credentials since the 1980s (inner city living, poor but proud etc), I get it. That's not the problem, but that you seem to rest on them. With everything I read of yours. I get it. But It tired. So very tired. Doors sometimes need kicking open, not just expecting them to opened based on flashed credentials like some Dick Tracy cartoon you seem to be stuck on. Move on and keep moving on.

[miamivalleyjournal]

We must take a firm stance against school violence.

Local, state, and national law enforcement agencies must provide safe passage to young people seeking a public school education. Threat of the use of overwhelming force to protect our nation's youth as they seek a public school education will send a message to the world that the United States of America stands by its' youth.

[Jezreel]

Hat tip Mr. Powell for writing about this very important issue. As far back as the 1980's black males under 21 years old were declared an endangered species because they are disproportionately impacted by poverty, violence, mass incarceration and disease. A confluence of ills has long conspired to marginalize black men and track them into a trajectory of failure.

In most urban environments, the black family and black, young men particularly are in the throws of a social and economic crisis. African Americans are proud of the symbol of progress represented by Barack Obama's election. But Barack Obama's election is only a symbol of the conspicuous success of many African-Americans in many arenas of American life,

In many African-American communities, black people are depressed, discouraged and hopeless. Many suffer from chronic unemployment or underemployment, many have lost homes and are suffering from chronic illnesses like hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.

Black on black crime results from self-loathing, low self esteem and chronic anger.

Many people, myself included, have been volunteering in our communities for years trying to address these issues. Please keep speaking out and being involved to help people who desparately want to improve their lives but need help achieving their goals.

[estoppelboy]

I see a few things here. First, the sadness of the murder of Derrion, or any child - or anyone, for that matter. No one has the right to take a human life.

I see something else, though. I see, in the Blog Post, as well as in the comment section, an overwhelming use of the passive voice, and an overwhelming desire to cast blame everywhere except on the communities themselves. I see crime rates rise and fall, as if the "rates" were some externalized number, like red coming up in Roulette. I see Reagan blamed, I see drugs blamed, I see slavery blamed, I see the school system blamed. I see blame.

In short, I see things HAPPENING to the black community. When will this community stand up and say no more. No more victimhood. No more perpetuating the concept that they need to be taken care of. That they remain imputed slaves - to whatever is cast their way. ENOUGH.

[socialtalker]

there is a greater response that needs to be done regarding the underlying causes, but for the moment i would like to see a better handling of stopping planned violent events. it's said everyone knew there was going to be a fight after school. i dont know about today's school system, was there a number widely known for folks to call to report a planned activity? the police should have been there way before anything got started. social science has been a profession for 100 years now, why havent there been better tecniques design to quickly step down a violent situation?

[dugswood]

I agree that American cities need help but I've been to Rio de Janeiro and the crime and poverty is considerably worse.

[Lualaba]

This is quite amazing:

Dude told me to check the facts in order to overcome my prejudices against the Reagan administration regarding its conveying of drug and arms dealing activities in the inner cities during the 80s. Guess what? The statistics proved me right.

I combined the statistic of violent crime in the US with the line of US presidents:

JFK - relatively low crime

LBJ (Democrat, but definitely part of the MIC, brought to power by means of coup) - steep rise in violent crime

Nixon - crime rate rises

Ford - still rises

Carter - crime rate declines

Reagan - steep rise in violent crime

Bush sen. - crime rate stagnates (that was my gut feeling, too. Bush sen. didn't actively convey drugs and guns in the inner cities, but also didn't do much against it)

Clinton - steeeeep decline

Bush jun. - just like Bush sen.

Obama - I am optimistic

I am now more convinced than ever that the Reagan administration tolerated and conveyed illegal guns and drugs in the inner cities as a means of social control.

The results playing out in the streets today, as in the murder of Derrion Albert, are a desired effect of the policies of the Reagan administration.

[ejhickey]

The beating death of Albert shows a total lack of respect for President Obama's opening of the school year speech in which he spoke out against school violence. If I was President Obama I would be damn mad about this incident and call out the perpetrators. this was an act of disrespect towards the President as much as the "you lie" outburst.

[KnowzyRowzy]

Standing ovation Mr. Powell.....well done, well done!

[rankola]

What really was irritating was seeing the Olympic protesters in Daley Square getting all riled about not wanting the olympics in Chgo...up to the point where they were trying to vandalize some of the decorations on the picasso. As people were arrested (yes, some resisted), people started declaring "police brutality." Give me a GDMFSH break!!!!

First, these white people (yes, most of the protesters were white) were all upset about the games coming to chicago, yet one week prior, a 16 year old honor student gets bludgeoned to death!!! And these white people are getting all worked up about the olympics coming to town!!!!!! give me a GDMFSH break!!!! And then to add insult to injury, these white people were crying "police brutality????" Well, if you wanted to have a peaceful protest, that's fine, but to try to destroy property? well, that's crossing a line. If they thought what they were doing was okay, then why did they run? They were treated like any fleeing criminal would have been treated: wrestled to the ground and handcuffed. Police brutality by A*#. Go on out to the west side or to the south side, or up to uptown and ask some people about police brutality and they'll give you an earful!!!!

[la2012verdad]

It is not the fault of the Reagan Administration (or any administration) that the African-American community continues to produce generations of children that lack the emotional and financial support to succeed. If the out-of-wedlock births stopped, the AA community would begin to prosper within one generation. Girls could complete their educations, boys would not be saddled with fatherhood, older generations would not be stuck caring for the offspring of their children -- this one change could make a huge difference.

[gwj2000]

@la2012verdad: "It is not the fault of the Reagan Administration (or any administration) that the African-American community continues to produce generations of children that lack the emotional and financial support to succeed. If the out-of-wedlock births stopped, the AA community would begin to prosper within one generation. Girls could complete their educations, boys would not be saddled with fatherhood, older generations would not be stuck caring for the offspring of their children -- this one change could make a huge difference."

What makes you believe that the African American community can be turned around in a generation if they stopped having babies? Maybe they should do what the other communities do - have abortions (you can' t possibly believe there are more teen pregnancies in the Black community than white).

The state and local governments who under-educate and over-incarcerate Black and Latin communities are as much at fault for the violence as the criminals. If you claim can't build schools and properly staff them, blame the victim, while building state-of-the-art schools nearby in white neighborhoods, then they, like Dr. Frankenstein created the monster that is their own demise.

Mr. Powell made a few on-point statements, but I think he was a bit off base with his criticism of president Obama for his role in the Olympic bid.

Educate your children give them hope, healthy food and access to health care, and you will see that one generation turn-around you spoke about.

[aj88]

The Black community was deeply harmed by the government. Black families did not have out of wedlock babies at a higher rate than whites until welfare was introduced. It was extremely desirable to have financial gains instead of a two parent household. Our government deliberately developed inner city housing. Our government has failed the inner city education system and we now have generations of no improvement in the black community while others have thrived. Our government has forced banks to supply home loans to those who could not afford it, false promises made, only to now have the same community leaders and government officials saying the banks were predatory lenders. Without any regard to those left homeless. The government developed affirmative action, to make blacks believe they could not accomplish what other nationalities could when in fact, they are just as bright, just as eager, just as willing, but told they are not. The black community must rise against this intrusion into their lives and realize the harm the government has truly caused them. We are all equal and the days when the black community truly believes in their own potential will bring prosperity to their children and communities.

[Jezreel]

The Black community was deeply harmed by the government. Black families did not have out of wedlock babies at a higher rate than whites until welfare was introduced. "

I agree wholeheartedly. When Roosevelt introduced ADF under the New Deal, nearly half of ALL Americans, with a majority being white, were unable to make ends meet. In order to pass the New Deal, Roosevelt had to exclude black Americans from benefiting from the legislation.

Excluded from benefiting from the legislation, blacks were forced to rely on themselves for their survival. We took care of each other's children. There was no such thing as foster care. We shopped at our own local ma and pop stores and we shared the produce from our small farms and gardens.

Jim Crowe Laws remained in place throughout the 60's, forcing blacks to remain economically, socially and politically disenfranchised. As a consequence, we were forced to remain self reliant and interdependent despite our abysmal economic status.

PART 1

[Jezreel]

PART 2
When blacks were allowed to apply for ADF and ADC new rules were introduced that prevented spouses and boyfriends from remaining in the home of women who were receiving welfare payments.

Case workers would make unannounced visits to the home. They would open closets and check under beds for signs of a man's presence. They would check refrigerators and cabinets for signs of extra food and ask whether a man was providing financial assistance. If it was determined that a husband or spouse was involved in the woman's life, her benefits would be cut off regardless of her income.

At the same time blacks were subjected to housing and employment discrimination and in cities like Chicago, low income housing projects were built to warehouse low income blacks. Those are the projects that Chicago tore down recently.

The election of Barack Obama to POTUS is significant, but it is merely a symbol of America's continuing struggle to create a more perfect union.

Millions of black men, women and kids remain chronically depressed and hopeless due to chronic unemployment, political disenfrachisement, a foreclosure crisis, homelessness, an HIV and AIDS epidemic, failing schools, the loss of a manufacturing base, a crumbling nuclear family unit, drug infestation and black on black crime.

[Lualaba]

Solja,
your last paragraph says it all.

CHILLING!

[S1m0n]

Are you seriously trying to blame, or even imply, that the Rodney King beating and ensuing riots were caused by the 84 Olympic games in LA?

~~

Lord knows, I have no time for the Olympic racket, and I'm entirely willing to blame a host of evils on the IOC, but this claim is well beyond my even my cast-iron anti-Olympic stomach. That's silly.

[Isosoles]

You missed the point. That is not what he or she was implying.

[wpiv926]

The damage that the Reagan administration did to this country is coming clearer with each passing day. While we come together and plan ways to stop the violence, let us also pray and resolve that the country never again be made to go thru another Reagan-like administration.

[dct1999]

"Only a people who have lost all hope, who have no sense of spirituality and the preciousness of human life, would resort to this kind of savagery, the pummeling or shooting of each other until death is there, sprawled on the ground, blood gushing from the head, as was the case with young Derrion."

"A people" didn't kill Derrion. Four criminals did. They are not a reflection of anyone except their own families.