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Gregory Hudson: It's past time to rise against thuggery

A safe neighborhood should be the right of every American. Rich or poor. Black or white. Educated or uneducated. People should take for granted sitting on their porches in peace and children ought to be able to play without worry. Growing up in Benton we occasionally got in trouble for throwing rocks at other kids, but times have certainly changed. They don't throw rocks anymore. They throw bullets.

Last Sunday night's violent assault aimed at City Councilman Rev. James Green's home is indicative of where we are in terms of ruthlessness and violence. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we all should be appalled. We are far beyond what social scientists refer to as the tipping point in far too many neighborhoods. I am afraid that many have just become desensitized to the viciousness that appears to pervade.

Last week I wrote that Rev. Green just may have a serious challenge as he attempts to retain his council seat. This week, however, its not about politics, but about reclaiming the streets from thugs, hoodlums. Those who would violate Green's family and home are little more than urban terrorists who traffic in more than drugs, but violence as well. I make no apologies for harsh criticisms about the perpetrators who are overwhelmingly young black men. Trust me, when the offenders are caught, they will not be white, Asian, Native American or Hispanic.

What many on the wrong side of the law have learned is that instilling fear in the hearts of citizens is a way of keeping them quiet. Many have adopted a Mafia-esque mentality that teaches criminals that silence is golden. There is a street saying that goes "snitches get stitches" and that mentality is why hard-working, honest people look the other way when criminal activity takes place in plain view. Across the country there have been so-called "Stop Snitching" campaigns. All this does is further erode the social fabric of already underprivileged communities.

Rev. Green took a courageous step by confronting what he presumed to be drug dealing. I'm certain this wasn't his first time challenging this element and it won't be his last. I have been present on the corner of Hollywood and Broadway as Rev. Green preached in the parking lot of a store against the devastating effects of the thug culture.

It is horrific that something like this had to happen to awaken many eyes to what many have been trying to say for decades. It is not that people don't want to report crime, but fear of retaliation is real. People are often too intimidated to complain to law enforcement.

I admire Rev. Green for his bold stance in declaring that he and others must no longer tolerate this foolishness. Perhaps the city can now be galvanized for action. Not only should upscale and affluent parts of town be immune from stray or intended bullets. And certainly no street corner should be an open market for drug sales. Unfortunately, that isn't the case, but I am an optimist who believes a difference can be made.

Gregory Hudson of Shreveport is a local minister. Write to him in care of The Times, P.O. Box 30222, Shreveport, LA 71130-0222 or send e-mail to shreveportopinion@gannett.com.



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