The Roots of the Michael Brown and Eric Garner Tragedies
Another issue related to rampant crime and systemic poverty is the poor educational choices the minority community usually has in inner cities. School choice in education is non-existent. While President Barack Obama and Al Sharpton can afford to send their children to private schools (they certainly don’t send their kids to the local public schools), most people of color are stuck sending their children to overcrowded schools that are havens for drugs, gangs and are replete with youth bent on dropping out of school. Why are the protesters and community activists not calling on the president and local government to provide school choice vouchers that enable parents of at-risk children to use a portion of our tax dollars for tuition to attend private schools? Why are these protesters not advocating for the community proliferation of charter schools that outpace public schools at every level?
The Christian community has a unique opportunity to provide real solutions to age-old root issues. But, unfortunately, many are just following the loudest voices who gather support through emotional rhetoric with the aid of a liberal mainstream media, while the only ones who receive any benefits are the few activists who make a living organizing marches, stereotyping and scapegoating others, and who never provide real solutions to the problems of the communities they claim to represent.
Joseph Mattera is overseeing bishop of Resurrection Church and Christ Covenant Coalition, in Brooklyn, New York.
