Perspective: Black males need American leadership

Why is it that America would like to single out black male leadership when things are not working in this "American" system? Where is your outrage for America and its leaders -- not just black leadership? Where is your outrage for Jeb Bush, Bobby Bowden, Steve Spurrier and George W. Bush? Why is this not America's No. 1 concern? Why is America allowed to waste this valuable resource? In my opinion, carjackings are not the failure of black male leadership but of the system and the way it is being led by such people as the mayor, the governor and the president.

Why is it that when black kids go bad, only black men can set them straight? Why is there no outrage coming from the so-called white community? Why are they so silent on this very important issue? Why is it that Jeb Bush is not standing on the steps of the Capitol, outraged and demanding a change in the way the system is failing these kids?

Every time an injustice happens in the black community, only black people show up to protest. I think that this country will be on the way to living up to its own Constitution when not only black people but all Americans are expected to be outraged by a problem that would appear to affect a minority group. The day white people riot because an unarmed black man was shot by the police during a routine traffic stop is the day this country lives up to its own ideas of equal opportunity for all its citizens.

This is not a black male problem, but an American problem. Where is the American leadership?
-- Ernest Allen, Riverview

Find time to help

It is true that too many young African-American males are succumbing to drugs and violence and that immediate intervention is needed. The good news is that there is a successful model right here in our community.

Five years ago, the doors of Academy Prep at 2301 22nd Avenue S opened its doors to 15 fifth-graders. They are nearly all inner-city, at-risk, middle-school students. The boys' school now has grades four through eight; the girls' school, started last year, will add a class for each of the next three years. While the school is tiny by most standards, the individualized attention given to character development, a strong academic program and life skill development are preparing these young people for successful futures.

Academy Prep was established as a private school by Jeff and Joan Fortune, owners of the Tradewinds Hotel, and Bob and Barbara Anders, black educators from Lakewood High School. They were joined by a wide array of other business and community leaders who are committed to providing these students a quality education. Students completing Academy Prep are guaranteed private high school and college tuition subject only to academic progress and compliance with their school's code of conduct.

Headmaster John Effinger is in the process of duplicating the effort in Tampa. Other efforts are planned for surrounding communities. Academy Prep's new head of school, Sam Williams, and principal Jesse Williams continue to guide the strong academic program locally. Talented and energetic teachers such as Sidney Kirkpatrick and Dr. Vernita Jennings provide excellent role models. The school is blessed with many volunteers who want to make a difference.

This type of community effort needs to be replicated and supported. The public schools also need tutors and mentors. Each of us needs to find time in our lives to help children develop their talents and to lead productive lives.
-- Connie Kone, St. Petersburg

No substitute for family

There is one simple cure for this crisis as you put it. It's not rocket science and it does not involve a lot of money. Alcee Hastings and the Congressional Black Caucus do not have a clue. Are you ready? Here's the answer.

Mom and Dad. That's it. Mom or Dad at your book report, play, concert, graduation, practice or game. Fishing with Dad. That's it. Family. There's no substitute.
-- Rick Burdick, Indian Rocks Beach

Follow the money

Re: Olympic vision, by John Hill, July 29.

Ed Turanchik must have loved your article on his efforts to secure the 2012 Olympics. He even had a nice photo in a serene park setting. But where was the representation of those who are not as enamored of this idea?

Your article states "Political and business leaders have staked their hopes . . .," but you fail to mention who these people are. Who is this group of people who are selling this project? When and where do they meet? Is the public invited to the meetings?

It appears to be a select, secret committee. Most likely they stand to profit handsomely from the Olympics. Where does the money come from? Of course, from the taxpayers. Whether local, state, or federal dollars are involved, it's still coming out of my pocket. There is a lot of talk about the profit -- $3-billion was mentioned. Does anyone seriously believe this? How was this figure arrived at? Who is responsible for a loss that is entirely possible?

It's not easy to believe that those pushing this project are doing it out of civic duty. The Times should have followed the money. It would have been a more complete and meaningful story.

I also couldn't help but notice that the "onetime environmental darling" drives a SUV.

Many Sierra Club members feel used by Mr. Turanchik. Count me among them.
-- Mark Rathe, Tampa

What's the benefit?

Re: Olympic Vision, by John Hill, July 29.

Great article by John Hill regarding the proposed Summer Olympics.

This project will cost billions. Except for the modernization of the infrastructure, what possible benefit would come from the construction of limited-use stadiums? Do we need an aquatics center or a beach volleyball arena? Many of the events described could be done indoors or in existing facilities.

No one launches such a project without the anticipation of profits. Who will benefit from all the construction? Of what use will these stadiums be after the Olympics? Most important, who is funding Mr. Turanchik to promote the event?
-- Joseph King, Hudson

Somebody stop him

Re: Olympic Vision, by John Hill, July 29.

Will somebody please give a tranquilizer to Ed Turanchik, president of the group trying to bring the 2012 Olympics to the Tampa Bay area? This man wants to spend more of our tax money faster than a pack of drunken Democrats.
-- George Lear, St. Petersburg

The South of bygone days

Re: Memories cultivated in my aunt's garden, by Phil Gailey, July 29.

Good stuff! This heart-warming account by Phil Gailey gives an accurate picture of the South of bygone days.
-- John Mashburn, Largo

No court order required

Re: Burglary brings home the importance of property rights, by Robyn Blumner, July 29.

Robyn Blumner's ruminations are dead-on. The only thing I wish she had spent more time on in her otherwise excellent column is the part that goes: "for a nation to succeed, the government must secure and protect private property. And since, historically, the greatest crimes against property have been commited (sic) by governments . . .."

I hope it was simply the limitations of space that caused her to miss mentioning civil asset forfeiture, whereby the government, without charging a citizen with a crime, simply seizes property that is suspected of being the proceeds of a crime. Houses, cars, bank accounts, and entire businesses suddenly become the property of the government -- no court order required. All it takes is one enemy with a grudge to call the Pinellas Sheriff or the DEA: "Blumner's dealing drugs out of her garage."

After that she won't have to worry about anybody breaking into the sheriff's new house. She'll just have to worry about how she'll prove it isn't so.
-- Frank Clarke, Oldsmar

Shame on me

I was robbed twice. The first time taught me to put sash locks on the windows, for the manufacturer's latches could not be trusted.

The second theft wised me up to the irrefutable fact that if you leave one sash lock off one window it will render the rest worthless.

Rob me once, shame on you. Rob me twice, shame on me.
-- Jim Nichols, Pinellas Park

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