Frustration Apparent At Summit To End Urban Violence

Emergency Summit Held On ViolenceWBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts

(CBS) –The Congressional Black Caucus convened an emergency summit on urban violence Friday, looking for ways to stop the killing on the streets of Chicago and other cities.

Illinois members of the Congressional Black Caucus called for the meeting following Chicago’s exceptionally bloody July 4 holiday.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel greeted those attending by saying Chicago is doing what it can, focusing on policing, prevention, parenting and gun penalties. Emanuel said the streets must be taken back for children.

“We need to make our streets safer so they have a normal childhood and it is not stolen from them by violence,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Cal.) urged the activists, ministers, politicians and others in the crowd to generate ideas.

“It is not about trying to press conference and having all off the answers in three minutes,” she said.  ”It is about the development of the plan that will come out of this and then let’s see how the Congressional Black Caucus, the White House, the Justice Department, the local mayors, the community activists all can play into the plan they develop.”

An assistant U.S. attorney general was also among the speakers, but Waters reminded reporters that the Obama administration and the Democratic Party do not hold the keys to the U.S. House of Representatives or to spending priorities, as a result.  She placed the emphasis on the unorthodox, suggesting that negotiated “peace treaties“ between street gangs could help quell the violence.

One outside-the-box proposal came from veteran activist Wallace “Gator” Bradley, long known to be a conduit to imprisoned street gang leader Larry Hoover.  He suggested that a “delegation” be sent to Hoover that would include a prosecutor, a doctor, a UN Human Rights representative, the Rev. Al Sharpton and a cameraman, who would record Hoover holding his grandchildren and urging gangbangers to work with the community, stop the shooting and stand united in peace.

Bradley said Hoover would do it if asked.

He said Waters’ suggestion of negotiated cease-fires has a chance for success because “the lines of communication are already open.”

The summit was not the first such meeting of its type.  A similar brainstorming event occurred 10 years ago, and those who remembered it were mixed about the outcome.

View the original article here

Some Englewood Parents Succeeding, Despite Atmosphere Of Violence

(CBS) — This is Englewood, where Trevor McGraw is trying to raise his two sons: 9-year-old Latrelle and 10-year-old Lerone.

He watches them when they play, takes them to the park, walks them to school and prepares them for the times he may not be around.

“I got to sleep with them, I wake up with them. They ain’t got no choice,” the father says.

He tells them to be wary of “crowds” and “saggy pants.”

“They don’t ask why. They listen. They’re good boys,” McGraw says.

And they’re excellent students, on the honor roll. McGraw says mom stays on top of the homework, but they both stress discipline. No video games during the week.

Fourteen year old Marquis Sewell lives a few blocks south of the McGraws. He’s learned similar lessons from his parents.

“I don’t really enjoy being out here. I can’t play outside like I want to or meet new people,” he says.

When menacing guys approach, he says, “I’ve been taught to walk away and not really acknowledge them.”

Sewell goes to school out of the community. His parents drive him. They keep him busy after school and every summer with camps and other educational activities.

It’s paid off.

“I want to be a marine biologist. I have been studying marine biology and I feel that it’s like a God-given gift,” he says.

His mother, Lakeisha Gray-Sewell, is asked about the advice she has for parents in similar circumstances.

“Make sure they’re exposed to different organizations, different opportunities, that they’re exposed to art, culture especially,” she says. “Seek always to learn and to grow yourself and then your child will see that and they will emulate you.”

Both parents also keep their children active in organized sports and stress the importance of family time.

View the original article here

Some Englewood Parents Succeeding, Despite Atmosphere Of Violence

(CBS) — This is Englewood, where Trevor McGraw is trying to raise his two sons: 9-year-old Latrelle and 10-year-old Lerone.

He watches them when they play, takes them to the park, walks them to school and prepares them for the times he may not be around.

“I got to sleep with them, I wake up with them. They ain’t got no choice,” the father says.

He tells them to be wary of “crowds” and “saggy pants.”

“They don’t ask why. They listen. They’re good boys,” McGraw says.

And they’re excellent students, on the honor roll. McGraw says mom stays on top of the homework, but they both stress discipline. No video games during the week.

Fourteen year old Marquis Sewell lives a few blocks south of the McGraws. He’s learned similar lessons from his parents.

“I don’t really enjoy being out here. I can’t play outside like I want to or meet new people,” he says.

When menacing guys approach, he says, “I’ve been taught to walk away and not really acknowledge them.”

Sewell goes to school out of the community. His parents drive him. They keep him busy after school and every summer with camps and other educational activities.

It’s paid off.

“I want to be a marine biologist. I have been studying marine biology and I feel that it’s like a God-given gift,” he says.

His mother, Lakeisha Gray-Sewell, is asked about the advice she has for parents in similar circumstances.

“Make sure they’re exposed to different organizations, different opportunities, that they’re exposed to art, culture especially,” she says. “Seek always to learn and to grow yourself and then your child will see that and they will emulate you.”

Both parents also keep their children active in organized sports and stress the importance of family time.

View the original article here