More than 3,000 black men answered the call from Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford to address the disproportionately high number of black males who are the perpetrators or victims of violent crime.The pep-rally style event drew an unprecedented crowd of men and young sons – no women allowed – to the Bill Harris Arena at Fair Park Friday night.
The plan is similar to the grassroots efforts that have succeeded in reducing crime. An event last year in Philadelphia, PA was covered by news media (Reuters, Final Call) and blogs.
Langford issued the call as an appeal against black-on-black crime to the community most affected by it. His “Plan 10/30” reflects that the majority of crimes in the city are committed by black males ages 10 to 30.
Your humble publisher was not allowed to go in (alas, I am a woman). Birmingham News reporter Roy Williams wrote a story on what happened. I also spoke to several friends who attended the event.
They all recounted stories from speakers such as football legend Bo Jackson who admonished the crowd to “beat their kids.” Hopefully, someone mentioned love, albeit tough love, and in addition to so much needed discipline and the proverbial village our kids need.
They said some men shouted from the audience, “We’re with you Larry.” “What do you want us to do?”
Now, that is the question.
Organizers such as James Williams, co-host of Talk Back on 98.7 Kiss FM, said the men were asked to sign up and be part of organizations that mentor young males and others that reach out to youth. He said Organizers a similar events are being planned for African American women and for black families.
We interviewed several men after the event to get their reaction to what they saw and heard. Here are their comments:
James Williams {
Madison Carter
Jarvis Seawright
Melvin Truss
Ricky Thomas
