It appears my latest JFP blog post stirred up some emotions. It’s no secret that crime and the perception of crime are push-button issues for many of us. It’s definitely no secret that tempers flare when you talk about crime within the framework of a Jackson vs. “the burbs” discussion. Catchphrases abound; and innuendo and accusatory tones appear, most often hurled in the direction of the capital city.
To hear some of our detractors describe it, Jackson has become some type of post-apocalyptic, “Mad Max” wasteland where anarchy rules. Criminals ride around on dirt bikes in spiked shoulder pads carrying sawed-off shotguns knocking over mailboxes. Homesteaders better clean their shotguns and stand at the ready, because as long as you’re “in” Jackson—and only in Jackson, might I add—your life is in grave danger.
Of course, that’s an embellishment. But that description sounds just as crazy as our surrounding naysayers sound when they condescendingly tell Jacksonians how bad their city is.
Let’s be clear. Jackson does not have rampant crime. We do indeed have crime, and yes, it needs to be addressed. No one deserves to be violated, ever. We shouldn’t have to put up with it. Bottom line: Every property owner should do what’s necessary to protect your home, family, and possessions.
But don’t let the small minds stop you from enjoying what this city has to offer. Trust me, a loud minority of Jackson bashers will never see anything positive about our city. Last time I checked, JPD had not disbanded, and we have good officers on the streets doing the best they can to curb crime. And doing it short-staffed, I might add.
Fact is, crime will never go away. Never will there be this utopian society where crime doesn’t exist. As long as we have poverty, greed and hate, we will have crime. Maybe not a lot of it, but there will be crime.
Get over it.
Madison is not going to save you; Rankin County is not going to save you; northeast Jackson isn’t going to save you. Crime is in all of those places. And guess what? It isn’t just “Jackson” crime as a Ridgeland apartment complex newsletter described it.
It’s time we start striking back at our detractors. The times of chuckling and turning the other cheek are over. We’re tired of the bashing, and it ends now, Jackson. Stand up for your city.
Be on the lookout for those clever euphemisms. Instead of “black,” they use “thug” or “criminal,” even though we know lawbreakers come in all hues. Instead of saying “white folks,” they’ll say “hard-working Jacksonians” even though we know folks of all races work hard.
Detractors want to paint a picture of black folks coming in and taking over the city, running the “good” people out to the ‘burbs. They rarely have stats, figures or more than one cherry-picked instance to describe the “Jackson” crime they rant about.
Message? We’re on to you. And while you’re free to run us down all you wish, it’s not going to stop the renaissance that this city is experiencing.
We are here! We are Jackson. Get used to it!
And that’s the truth … sho-nuff!
Previous Comments
Good column. Mean folks are trying to do to Jackson what the same kinds of mean folks elsewhere did to so many other cities around the country – paint it a failure and hope the facts, situations, and circumstances bear it out. I wish the haters could go some place like the moon and never return. I just finished reading Nelson Mandela’s autobiography called the Long Walk to Freedom. The same problems being experienced in America were taking place in Africa, especially South Africa. This tells me that mean and hateful people think and act alike. We good people of all races, sexes and ages have to resist this evil plan or experiment and save our cities and human resources from those who wish to benefit from the failures and dire situations of others.
#159416 | Author: Walt | Date: Aug 19 2010
I expect some resistence to Jackson’s progression from those who have fled the city believing that as long as there aren’t any black folk or poor white folk around, they’re safe. As ridiculous as that notion is, some people, even smart ones, buy into that. But what I have a bigger issue with is those who reside in Jackson and continue to throw “salt” on efforts to revamp and revitalize this city. I wish they’d just join the naysayers outside the county. Who needs ’em??????
#159421 | Author: Queen601 | Date: Aug 19 2010
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.