As 2020 comes to a close, the increased murder rate in the city of New Orleans will be one of the defining marks of an extraordinary year. Homicides increased by 65% in New Orleans from 2019 to 2020. The increase in homicides follows years of lower murder rates in the city. New Orleans is not alone. Many American cities have witnessed huge increases in homicides with Madison, Wisconsin leading with a 400% increase from last year. Is it just the pandemic?
The overall increase in homicides in New Orleans is accented by murders that were particularly emotional, like, the killing of a teenager on Christmas Day.
Jamere Alfred, 14, was in a car running an errand to a store with two older cousins and his godfather. A gunman opened fire on the car and Jamere was hit with bullets and killed.
A vigil was held in the parking lot at the corner of Lake Forest and Bullard Sunday in memory of Jamere. There were tears and obvious outrage at the killing of a teenager on Christmas Day. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was present at the vigil and made the noteworthy comment that “we” have problems in our community and “we” have to solve these problems.
The Mayor’s comments were part of the chorus of voices saying “This has to stop.” Comments, like “This has to stop” and “enough is enough” continue to be repeated over and over, but change never follows. The comments reflecting the collective disgust with senseless murders come from a segment of the population that traditionally fails to snitch on known criminals. There is also a tendency to blame outside forces for the lifestyle that ignores basic respect for life.
I applaud Mayor Cantrell for having the courage to recognize that there are problems within some sections of the Black community that only the members of that community are capable of solving. But it is also important to understand that some of the innate problems stem from institutional racism in America.
It is difficult to believe that a gunman randomly opened fire on a car with four people inside killing a 14-year-old. Who could the two older cousins and the godfather have known that would inspire the shooting? And if they know - will they identify that gunman?
Too often teenagers, toddlers and even infants are killed just because they were in the company of an older person who had dealings with someone who wanted to shoot them. But instead of the intended target, an innocent younger person is the victim.
Yes, this has to stop and enough is enough, but when will action be taken instead of the words only representing a moment of personal passion after the death of a friend or loved one?
Wonderful things were said about 14-year-old Jamere Alfred. He was a musician and loved the Saints and had so much promise. Who will honestly speak for Jamere?
Mayor Cantrell must follow through on her words about the problems that exist, but the problem is that if she does follow through she will be blaming many of her own voters. Will she do the right thing and promote real change? Or, will she placate her voters and put re-election ahead of addressing the real problems?
As the Mayor begins early efforts to raise campaign funds ten months ahead of the election, only she can answer those questions. In defense of Mayor Cantrell, even if she does address the real problems, answers will not quickly follow. Building respect for life, hope for a future and no longer harboring criminals with silence are not problems solved instantly. But when will the city start to honestly address these problems?
