Anyone who hopes to grasp the dimensions of the problem facing East Tampa needs to consider the inane comments made recently by members of the African People's Solidarity Committee. The group blasted Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio for a successful drug sweep through East Tampa, arguing that the blight, violence and hopelessness can be traced not to drugs but "poverty and oppression." Such knee-jerk rhetoric, parading as social conscience, speaks to what's wrong with blame-game leadership. The first casualty is the truth.
Let there be no doubt: The city's history in in responding to the needs of East Tampa, which is disproportionately black, is dismal by almost any account. East Tampa has never received the level of public investment, the quality of services or the same political attention as other areas of town. No single mayor can erase that history, but Iorio has, in a few short months, raised the profile of East Tampa and begun to plan for redevelopment. Her first major initiative as mayor was to create a new development arm to attract investment to East Tampa - a first. She has also promised to shift more resources that way: police, code enforcement, parks and public works. Improving East Tampa is a citywide priority, and residents should hold Iorio to it.
But dollars alone won't solve the problem. Parents, property owners and community leaders need to accept more responsibility for turning East Tampa around. The community can't wait for the mayor to prevent teenagers from selling drugs from bikes in the street, burglars from preying on residents, homes from falling into disrepair and loitering crowds from scaring away business. It is not "oppression," but neglect and indifference and freely made wrong choices that underlie much of the challenge of living there.
Civic leaders in East Tampa should be tired of having their community defined by drugs, crime and blight. East Tampa is far more attractive, complex and functional than its reputation suggests. It has good (if spotty) housing stock, is well-served by underused roads and can boast of almost unparalleled convenience to schools, public services and full-service shopping. There is also a broad base of active churches, a strong measure of community spirit.
Improving living standards, and boosting job and educational opportunities in East Tampa, will make a more well-rounded city, beyond increasing personal wealth and the tax base. But city aid is only part of the equation. The missing link has been a vocal commitment by neighborhood leaders and residents to take more responsibility for their own future.
