Mobile Police Officer John Young asks, “Where is the outrage over violence in the city?”
Young told FM Talk 106.5’s Sean Sullivan he was angry over multiple recent shooting incidents because no one else was angry. He said he wanted to see social justice activists crying out now.
“How were we breeding such cold, callous killers?” he asked. “Aren't we fascinated by that? Aren't we fascinated to learn what is the commonality that these black men are either defending their lives against black men or willing to take the life of a black man without hesitation?”
Young said, as a black man, he wants to know why black-on-black crime is so prevalent. He said that should be the focus of concerns rather than blaming others, including police, for issues facing black communities.
“Where's the outrage? If we can fund an investigation into the police department for violent contact with known criminals, aren't we even a little curious about why black men find it so easy to use violence, though?” Young said, apparently referring to the City of Mobile's investigation of the Mobile Police Department under the leadership of former Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine, which had a reported price tag of $300,000.
John Forward, who joined Young in Men United Against Violence, said police use of force cases seem to get more outrage than violent, repeat offenders.
“The outrage is clearly selective, right?” he asked. “Because if the police come into contact with a violent offender and they do something to him during that altercation, then the outrage is massive, right?"
“We have people coming from out of town, getting on the news, making all sorts of noise about that,” Forward continued. “But it's right here in our backyard with people that we live with. We live among them, right? And they hurt one another and it's par for the course.”
Young called out nationally known civil rights attorneys and government investigation organizations that profit from certain cases while ignoring others.
“There's no paycheck associated with a 19-year-old that was shot,” said Young. “There's no paycheck associated with the seven deaths this month. Twenty total for the month. Twenty-five every month. And we aren't curious?”
“ … But the people who make money off of it, these alphabet organizations who are funded by it, they don't have any interest in solving the problem because they'll work their way out of a job.”
Forward said children needed guidance and structure, and parents needed to be responsible.
“It's not just the fathers aren't there; women are told they don't need a man,” said Young. “The government will replace that. How's that work? Step in. And then women are told to celebrate being promiscuous. And then they're told to celebrate violent behavior.
“And young black men, they're told to celebrate being violent,” he continued. “I'm supposed to be this dangerous criminal. I want to sell drugs, I want to carry a gun, right? Bling bling, I want gold teeth.”
The two continued passionately speaking to Sullivan about violence in Mobile and the importance of the home.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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