Voter issues long forgotten

Inner city violence is not a new subject.

Mayors, senators and presidents coast to coast campaign victories on the promise of overflowing the streets with police forces that will rescue us from chaos.

Consistent reports discussing violent crimes in notoriously “dangerous neighborhoods” flood the evening news.

Movie theatres and advertising agencies make millions of dollars promoting the lives of those whom survive inner city violence.

Movies such as Eight Mile and Get Rich or Die Tryin’ were blockbuster smash hits.

Raving reviews applauding the raw reality of these movies only drove sales higher.

Impressionable teenagers flock to theatres, CD racks and clothing stores to show their allegiances.

It is only after witnessing an incredibly violent incident, and being a helpless hostage to such a situation that I can attest to the need for change in America.

Where is all the violence and rage stemming from?

Does it come from the movies that glorify survival of men through drug dealing, or rap songs that promote having sex in a nightclub?

Is the problem deeper than pop culture, and the movies and music merely an outlet for expressing a nation gone awry?

A study conducted in 2005 at the University of Notre Dame claims that “witnessing violence and victimization prior to age 10 predicted delinquency and violent behaviors.”

Studies also suggest that factors such as family structure and economic status play large roles in the development of a violent individual.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics “juveniles (ages 12-17) were more than twice as likely as adults (age 18 or older) to be the victim of violent crime from 1993 to 2003.”

So there we are, as a nation, staring down the barrel of an exceedingly important decision.

Do we vote for a president who promises to remove the troops from Iraq, grant us a tax holiday, and provide amnesty to illegal immigrants?

Or do we turn our attention back to the needs of our community?

Have we forgotten about quality education?

Is there a need for mandatory parenting classes in all public high schools?

Where do we as a community stand on issues such as rehabilitating violent juvenile offenders? How do we measure up when it comes to teaching tolerance and acceptance of differences?

Are we even paying attention anymore?

It is not my wish to sway your vote, it is merely my hope that you will look deeper than the aesthetics and make a choice that is not only right for you, but is best for all.

Contact Jen Harris, Editor-in-Chief, jharri34@jccc.edu.