The media should re-examine its overzealous reporting of the former mayor of Detroit.Showing his future jail living quarters is excessive, no need to go there. This man is paying for his transgressions; the constant eye on his demise is overkill. Why is the former mayors jail cell being shown to the public? Why are there a few psychologist giving an analysis calling both Kilpatrick and Monica Conyers names? Two or three professionals via the media are giving personality diagnoses of both Kwame Kilpatrick and Monica Conyers in some sort of pin the donkey analysis? This is sensational journalism, connected to unprofessional psychological assessments. The saga of Kwame Kilpatrick has been a public nightmare, no doubt. There is no need to add fuel to the fire. Like the trial of O.J. Simpson, the intent, hatred, and overall discontent of these black men polarizes the public.

There are serious challenges for our nation, state, and cities. The voyeurism of watching a man in his painful demise is akin to kicking him while he is down. Calling Mr. Kilpatrick names such as narcissistic by professionals is not only poor judgment, but unfounded. Detroit is struggling with its image, everyone knows that and showing off the former mayors predicament, gloating over his demise is not going to move Detroit or its citizens forward. There are times when excellence in journalism will win awards. Solid journalism supports the public, leading the cheers in a public officials decline is close to personalizing misery without good cause.

Youth culture sits on the sideline, watching our methods of operation. Taking a higher road, higher ground, and uncovering the ugliness is important when it serves a good reason. Beyond that is an abuse of power, one that the public can not and should not afford.

Originally published by Detroit News by Jennifer Mrozowski

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Originally published in ESPN. By Jemele Hill

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The recent fallout of financial ills in the United States is well known in the thirdcity. In Michigan, middle class demise with the automobile industry crisis means that even the local medicine men, better known as dope dealers are making economic adjustments. Street culture is feeling the economic pinch. Marijuana is making a strong comeback taking over the once strong sales of crack cocaine. In illicit sex houses our intelligence reports find that working middle class clientele has shrunk tremendously. Money is no longer leisurely spent on recreational drugs or sex.

The demand for stolen wiring, copper, and platinum from catalytic converters in automobiles is rising daily. Storm doors and windows are now being snatched in broad daylight. Empty homes and commercial buildings are being invaded for anything not nailed down. Furnaces, stoves, and anything of value are fair game. The people stealing these items are in collaboration or alliance with those in legitimate business. Car and business insurance is impacted by criminal acts in the thirdcity. Socially, adults are including young children in crime explaining that it has a valid reason. Some in the streets are twisting the struggle for civil rights by taking themes from great social activist like Malcolm X stating that survival œby any means necessary as the rationale for criminal transgressions.

Anthony Holt, chief of police for Wayne State University, a well respected police executive stated:

We are facing a breed of criminal that feels entitled to criminality in ways not seen in modern times. Our campus is aware of guarding against a challenge unseen before. When youth are led by their parents in criminal acts, well, this is a barometer of how terrible life has become. We are aware of the security of our entire campus environment. Stealing by those who perceive our community as the patricians has caused us to re-examine social relationships with those people not from our community. A sensitive challenge indeed, a reflection of the time we live in.

The thirdcity is impacted by the decline of the first city. Hopefully, our policy makers will begin to take this important point into consideration in future planning.

I have been flooded with inquiries from the media, colleagues, friends, and family in reference to a disturbing report that gangs are targeting women at gas stations in the Pontiac area, Southeast region of Michigan.  This rumor is disturbing for three reasons:  First, after checking with street sources, gang analyst, law enforcement, community leaders there has not been any solid evidence of any such action. It should not be told without evidence. Law enforcement, local government, and others need solid information to alert the public. Secondly, it encourages gangs and young people that violent acts will headline the news without facts. These fabrications are just another form of terrorism for citizens. People become more defensive, worried, and concerned about going out in public. Business communities along with others need solid information in order to look out for the legitimate safety of the public. When the public is told that a gas station is potentially a violent target of gangs it can’t be good for the atmosphere of any business. Finally, there is an ongoing undercurrent of stereotyping of racial divisiveness. The public jumps to a fearful stance that black, brown, or yellow gangs are assaulting whites. This undercurrent is destructive in community relationships. Youth culture takes a hit in this call for an offensive charge against menacing gangs in their reckless campaigns against innocent people.

Gangs are a reality without any question. If we are to better understand what constitutes a gang or not a gang, we need solid information to educate the public. If we cry wolf, beware of these violently dangerous gangs coming to our gas stations to shoot women for an invitation into a gang, we will reap what we sow. When there is a problem with an actual gang, many will be uncertain if its another scare tactic in a world that has alarms over the dreaded G word countless times in the mass media campaigns of a ball of confusion. That is not a world we need. Let us have a clearinghouse, communities, citizens and professionals who can monitor reports about gangs. Let us not forget that being a gangster or gang member is now part of a troubling video game like Grand Theft Auto.Our lives can not be dictated by the likes of recreational pretend violence within the reality of everyday life in America. .

The passing of Iman W.D. Mohammad marks the transition of a great and humble man. Equally important is the legacy of truth that Iman Mohammad established transforming the Nation of Islam into a well-respected world movement of peace and understanding of Islam. The respected, many times misunderstood organization of his fathers Nation of Islam still exists today. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, founder of the Nation of Islam brought many African-American families into an understanding of socio-economic independence. Mohammad continued his fathers movement within a higher ground.While, we are bombarded by negative images of fallen politicians, celebrities, and professional athletes of color, Iman Mohammad represented an intelligent African-American of great wisdom and understanding.

This leader gave us an intelligent and enlightened direction for healing our differences. Mohammad leaves us with great substance, leadership, and humanity. This was a man who led by action, showing in this time of polarization, religious conflict, and global divide a sense of true brotherhood. Certainly he will be missed by his followers, family, and friends. Iman Mohammad, stating in his own words that all of the world should be more Christlike, still inspires a transformation of humanity that is about inclusion and respect.

His willingness to reach out to other religions is the leadership that heals. While many are critical, speaking in coded language to divide. Warith Deen Mohammad made us look at ourselves despite our religious and philosophical differences. I met the Iman once at Michigan State University, indeed, a warm human being that inspired me with his humility. A leader whose silence and presence left me with an inspiration that demanded a higher level of peace, and true charity. Let us all continue his work to make earth a peaceful planet. Iman Warith Deen Mohammad marked a revolution in this nation, ushering in a new understanding of global citizenship. We all are better off because of his vision, action, and love.

The subject of female violence is becoming more noticeable to the public. Reports of young women participating in fight clubs has recently been featured in news stories. There have been differences of opinion from the academy with some researchers dismissing the reports as sensational media. Our field research over the past three decades has found evidence to support the suggestion of females having a part in the more visible combat of young girls and women.

In the earlier reports we found girls were not only capable of participating not as victims, but as actors. Now, there seems to be some reports about female gang activity. Fact, our research which covers three decades has known that gender is apart of the picture in America life. We are especially aware of young girls needs, as well as, women in urban America. Some feel that at-risk youth means poor folks, and this is hardly true. All of our youth are at risk. The violence, illicit narcotics, and distressed family structures demand that young girls, as well as, women are at-risk. We also see that middle class youth are at-risk; their exposure to the ills of society is not simply a six o’clock news flash. Gangs, drugs, unprotected sexual encounters are not limited to one group. Young females like their male counterparts are in need of attention from adult role models and parents in constructing positive activities. No surprise about females in challenges of violence, only surprised that society is lagging in understanding the challenges of young people in the world today.

The City of Flint Police has declared that young men whose pants are hanging off their behinds will be ticketed. This is a strange enforcement, especially in these lean budget days for city government. Crime is challenging the once boom town, so it is understandable that crime fighting needs close governance. The conflict of the drooping pants as an iconic sign of hip hop culture is not new. This style was born in the prisons of America and has evolved despite the disgust of traditional America. I must admit that I thought it was a fad that would fade. I was so wrong, yet, it hardly merits wasting police personnel in any attempt to control this social tribulation.

Hip Hop culture is something that most adults know little about. It is misguided at best to write tickets for sagging pants. It is annoying to see young people wearing their pants down below their buttocks. The fact is wearing your pants in that fashion puts a great limitation on its wearers life. You cant get most jobs with that style, can’t really go too far with your underwear showing. While the Flint police department may mean well, it is another mistaken reactionary means to a problem not understood. Truth be known, this style came not only out of prisons, but gain its notoriety first in the community of African-American centers.

Today, after more than twenty something years, hip hop sagging pants is global. Many youth around the world are into hip hop, sagging is the official uniformity of hip hop youth. It might be productive if youth received jobs with the restriction of proper attire. There are better solutions than giving tickets in a distressed community for a clothing style. This puts youth and police into a polarized situation. Parents, families, faith-based groups, youth workers, and educators along with law enforcement could join young people in some solution that would not be punitive to underscore that there is a time and place for wearing youth oriented street ware. Who has the money for receiving a ticket in these stressful moments? Why put the police in a situation that automatically puts them at odds with young people? We need to assist communities, families, and youth in doing something constructive on this subject?

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At 7:47 on a beautiful Sunday morning I looked out on the scenic Lake St. Clair were it blends into the Detroit River. Looking up the river is a magnificent view from the twenty-third floor of my apartment. As a habit I looked down into the parking lot, saw my vehicle in the parking space on this harmonious morning. I was preparing to leave the city at 10:30 as I began to watch Meet the Press with Tim Russert. Receiving a phone call I was in my study when suddenly I heard this commotion, it seemed that it was coming from the front door. This building is well-kept, very quiet, and my neighbors are polite, with almost all of them retired at my end of the hall. The commotion was the building manager knocking at my door. She came to tell me that my automobile had been broken into; someone was attempting to steal it, it seemed surreal. Had I not just looked down there? Who would try to steal a car on Sunday, Sunday morning directly in front of the guard station?

Fortunately, the young doorman saw broken glass by my car. His alertness to duty foiled the thieves. Boldly they had entered the parking lot, stalking, hunting for vehicles with chrome rims. Now, my car is a Cadillac Escalade, it is identical to the mayors. Ironically, the mayor of Detroit lives less than half a block around the corner from my apartment. This incident brought the worst out of me, yes, for a few minutes it had me wanting my predatory invaders harmed, hurt. I wanted them to suffer, teach them a lesson. Shot? Death? Maimed? I must ask for forgiveness for thinking all of these horrible outcomes. Shameful, my mother is not smiling from up above, she detested liars, cheats, and thieves. Mae Taylor raised her boys in a Christian valued home. She was a definite pacifist, well, that was until she would apply her special Christian rod to our behinds for transgressions up to the age of twelve.

It has been forty years since I have known of a community in Detroit that knew how to work with young boys and girls. In the same breath it must have not been as successful in meeting the challenge of those so disconnected that they have become something that I don’t recognize or understand.

The two policemen were attentive, talked about how my type of car was getting hit everyday in that area. An expert showed upon my call for him to review the scene. Police felt it was some young men on crack. My expert, a denizen of the Third City knew better. Two-dee aka Mr. Johnson explained it was something else.This is the mark of the New Jacks, this is their job. They’re not drug addicts, probably don’t even do dope, maybe weed. They could’ve shot that doorman, he’s lucky. These guys are working this area, it’s about $1,500 for rims, wheels off these Caddie’s its fast, easy money if it gets done like they usually do, hit and run.

I thought about it, New Jacks? That is the name film maker Barry Michael Cooper anointed the music of Teddy Riley, with the title New Jack Swing. Barry and I have had many conversations about this term. I think at this moment, I will call this section of the coming essay,New Jackals in the Urban Jungle of America. Before anyone gets it all wrong, let me point out that this is my second incident in Detroit in the past five years. Also, my automobile was invaded once in Southfield, and once in Farmington Hills. So, while car theft is a major problem in Detroit, it is also a statewide problem. It would be less than honest if I didn’t admit that this Detroit incident is the worse, most egregious to date. Why? Because there was a time in Detroit that Sunday meant even thieves had respect for the Sabbath (so did society in general, no stores open or people working).

As an urban ecologist, sociologist, and criminologist this act means something within a sociological theory. In bias, relationship to this being my birthplace and native land, this situation is puzzling to me. Who are these young men? Where did they come from? Where is their upbringing from? Where/who are their parental units? Where is their humanity? Folks were going to church; it was a beautiful morning, early who rises in the morning to launch their day with brutality? These are some of my questions. What is going on?