Making lives really matter: Center scrutiny around those pulling the trigger

There is a movement afoot -- and it is getting louder.

The group's goal? To advance the call, "Black Lives Matter," and to point to what they say are the violence against and unfair targeting of young black males and others by law enforcement and the justice system.

Their crusade is limited in two ways -- one, by the limits on the lives they say they are fighting to make "matter," and the object of their criticism when it comes to the loss of so many young black men.

And while the first has also struck some controversy, the latter is where we want to raise a question -- at least for now.

But before we start, let's get one thing straight -- there is no excuse for police or members of the justice system who abuse their positions. Those who are threats, trigger-happy, racists, irresponsible, poorly trained and a disgrace to the badge, they should be fired or prosecuted, that is how it is and how it should be.

But there is a part of this argument that is widely ignored, or at least set aside.

Police are not killing young black men.

Look at the statistics -- there are very, very few police-related shootings and deaths across this country.

And, because it is important that we do, look at the statistics from just this month -- and this week -- in Goldsboro.

Police are not the ones pulling triggers.

They are not starting gang wars and their aftermath.

They are not sending bullets ricocheting into houses.

They are not shooting at each other, missing and hitting children on playgrounds.

If we really want black lives -- or any lives -- to matter, we have to focus on the root of the problem first. We have to stand up for those who are caught in the crossfire and put the blame where it belongs -- on the criminals.

Recently, all over the country and even in Goldsboro, there is a trend. When police arrive on the scene, they are greeted by cell phone cameras. They might be responding to a call for help or a report of a shooting or murder, but they are the ones on camera.

And that is fine. Keep your eye on the police if you want. They should have nothing to hide. And if they do, it should be taken to the proper authorities.

But that is not the only place where the cameras should be pointed, not if the goal is really to save lives.

Film the thugs, the drug dealers, the murderers, the gang members. Get them on tape, identify them, support the police as they arrest them and call for stiff sentences to punish them and to get them off the streets.

Demand that they be held accountable for the damage they do and the lives they destroy.

Turning this into a witch hunt against police and other law enforcement -- the majority of whom are hard-working people who care about their communities and the people they serve -- is not productive.

It won't stop a drug dealer from selling to a child.

It won't stop a gang member from convincing a young person he has no chance at a future any other way.

And it won't help keep a bullet in a murderer's gun.

All it might accomplish is convincing a few more people who could help keep this community safer to choose another line of work.

And when that happens, no lives will matter.

Published in Editorials on August 23, 2015 12:10 AM