Homicide Hartford

Today as I reflect on my involvement in politics’ and community leadership, I am left with a bitter taste on my tongue. Although, I was treated unjustly and betrayed, it is still my firm belief that God can and will work through any situation. I’m going to have to ask you to accept some information on faith the way I did. Every morning before sun rise, I walk among the ruins of inner-city neighborhoods, anointing the drug infested blocks of North Hartford.

History teaches us that “advocates” of the poor do not always recognize the value of the insight of their constituents. In light of a fundamental disagreement, between the black leadership of Hartford and populace on issues that is critical to the black community. Prime example being, Civil rights leaders, who continue to pursue the agenda of the sixties: using poverty programs to mandate integration and recompense for past discrimination. If race and economic disadvantage were the cause of the crisis that currently confronts us, why do we invest millions of dollars to hire researchers to conduct “failure studies” of the poor?

Our local news media consistently emphasizes the dysfunction of low –income communities. Multiple murders and street violence sells newspapers. Salvaged lives do not.  Black - on- black street violence in Hartford has become so common that my husband’s death was newsworthy only because he was used as a prop in a community activist sound bite describing how black –on-black crime had destroyed a family.

So the City of Hartford is presented daily with a portrait of moral deviance- youths who have committed violent crimes, men who have had sex with their girlfriend’s sons, and mother’s who date their daughter’s boyfriends. They fail to document the efforts of local community activist who have prompted literal transformations in lives that were being wasted on addictions and violence.

North Hartford must wake up! When White Hartford gets a cold, Black Hartford gets pneumonia.

W.E.B Dubois identified the color line as the greatest challenge of the 20^th century; “our greatest challenge in the 21^st century is the economic line between blacks and whites; rich and poor; the haves, have-not and have mores”.

In economic terms, what is the state of Hartford, Connecticut today? How much progress has really been made in the “Second Chance Promise Zone”? More importantly what must be done to reverse the economic stagnation that continues to plaque impoverished families living in North Hartford?

What this means is that without the wealth and equity of homeownership or employment to fall back on, impoverished residents of Hartford stand on shaky ground. There is no hiding place from the realities, hardships, and challenge that reflect economic progress among the impoverished residents living in North Hartford, CT.

My Grandmother used to say, "if you can’t stand the heat, get out the kitchen." But, what if it’s hot in every room Grandma? Comfort is the enemy of achievement, the most powerful tool you have is your voice.  Speak loudly until your voice shakes!

So I say to my Neighbors…This is our minute!!

We must take ownership of our own economic destiny as well as influence all leaders to develop policies to help working families. We as a community must fight for good jobs, not just entry level jobs, we must say no to becoming ass-wipers, sandwich wrappers, and coffee makers. We must access career making jobs; we must encourage our children to become lawyers, doctors, and advocates for all people of color.

We, as a community must raise our voices to be heard. We must VOTE! The community as a whole must be committed to closing the equality gap.

“A hustler knows how to build an empire with the same stones that are thrown at her”.

Martha Hood PhD