Albany's Race Problem.
People like to blame guns, because it's easier then being realistic about race.
February 6, 2008.
Albany does not a gun problem. It has a race problem. An simple analysis of gun crime shows that most gun violence happens in minority neighborhoods. Most gun violence victims are African American. Why is this so? African Americans are widely discriminated against. Minority neighborhoods have inferior housing, schooling, and employment opportunities. Those who try to move to the suburbs find it difficult to afford housing with their limited education or criminal backgrounds.
Our solution to 'black problem' has been to build superhighways that go over their neighborhoods, and to reinforce the stereotype that all African Americans are gun toting drug dealers. We knocked down legal discrimination, and reinforced with informal discrimination. There is a simple solution. Simply work to reintegrate African Americans back into our communities, and offer them the educational opportunities at an affordable cost to success. Work to rebuild their neighborhoods, and welcome people of diverse backgrounds to our communities.
If we all work together, we can do much to change our society. I believe that our violence in our society can be greatly reduced, when learn to love our neighbors, and to understand their problems. We have to fight for what is right.
