Scary times are ahead of us and unless we all make a concerted effort toward combating crime, our dear city will not be known for its affordability or world-class Children’s Museum, but rather we will be making national lists such as “America’s deadliest cities” or “Where not to live.”
I wrote that statement in my editorial last July 12. Nearly six months to the date, it still rings true. An even more unfortunate reality is that between then and now, I have probably written about four editorials on the subject.
Several weeks ago, after I submitted my column to our copy editor, Jack Sales, he asked me, “Aren’t you tired of writing about all this violence?”
Despite the way his comment may read, he didn’t mean it from a negative or even irritating perspective. Nor had he grown tired of reading my columns on the subject matter (at least I don’t think so). Instead, he was expressing his frustration over the surge of violence that has seemingly taken over our city.
My response to Sales and now to you is yes, I am very tired of writing about violence, yet I am hopeful that my words will institute some sort of a dialogue between the masses that can one day foster some sort of positive change. After all, that’s what we are supposed to do, right? We’re supposed to individually and collectively work to initiate change in this world. It is our responsibility to use our platforms; whether that platform is on the editorial pages of a local newspaper, through the pulpit, or even on stage where millions of people are watching you.
The key is to just do something.
The great thing about working toward improving a community is that the work can be done individually as well as collectively. And since there is strength in numbers, the latter can oftentimes be incredibly effective.
I once heard Sam Odle, former IU Health executive and current senior policy advisor for Bose McKinney & Evans LLP use an analogy that really speaks to the power of working together.
During his remarks, Odle descriptively painted the picture of a humongous rock. He said there were about 20 people, each individually chiseling at a piece of the rock in their own space with the hopes of shattering the rock. After several hours of the tiring work, someone had an idea. Rather than individually hitting the rock in several places, perhaps they try joining forces by attacking the rock in one spot together.
As the 20 people crowded together and began hitting the rock in one specific area, an amazing thing happened. The rock crumbled and their purpose was achieved.
Odle’s analogy is a great example of what can be accomplished when we join forces with one another to achieve a common goal. When the people were working to crumble the rock individually, an impact was still made, but the ultimate goal was not accomplished until they collaborated with one another.
The basis of Odle’s example can also be applied to this city’s efforts toward combating the extreme violence.
Sure, we can all work individually to help reduce crime, but our chance of greater success at a faster rate is better when we join forces.
We can unite at all levels. For example, the community can and should work with IMPD when crimes occur – be it reporting the crime, anonymously informing officials who the suspects are, or even forming a neighborhood watch committee.
The mayor and City-County Council members can put partisan politics aside in an effort to devise and implement a cohesive plan that will reduce crime.
And every day people can unite by simply respecting one another’s life and property.
If all of these things were done, I’m sure we would see less crime throughout the Circle City. The question is, however, are we all tired enough of the violence to get into action mode? If we aren’t, how many more shootings, home invasions, and killings must we endure before enough finally becomes enough?
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
