Why are our Children so Angry?

At a reception, Eugenia Venturanza asked me to explore why are our children so angry? I walked away perplexed because anger is usually at the root of violence. But, how do we address that as a community. I posed the question to my Facebook friends who are so profound and enlighten. Why are our children so angry?


A couple weeks later, I just watched an African made movie on #Netflix called BROKEN that reflects the damage that child abuse and abandonment causes. As a social worker, I know this is not the answer for all violent incidents. But, if we are really serious about preventing violence, maybe we should start there. Our children truly have some issues at home and in the community.

Then, Cathy Anderson Kent responded. Her comments demand a wider audience. Please read Cathy's response.

"As a criminal, defense attorney, I don't see where the system hampers discipline in the home at all. I haven't seen those types of cases at all in the criminal courts. REASONABLE corporal punishment in the home is allowed and tolerated by the law, especially during the formative years of a child's life.

 In my opinion, TaJuan Stout Mitchell has hit the nail squarely on the head. The vast majority of offenders and re-offenders (especially those who commit violent crimes) are definitely angry; I see this anger every day at 201 Poplar. In my 22 year career in criminal defense, I've ALWAYS suspected the absence of the father from the home as a stimulus for the majority of this anger I've witnessed in an extreme percentage of criminal defendants.

TaJuan's post caused me to consider my theory further. The mere absence of the father may contribute to lack of discipline, daughters looking for love in all the wrong places and sons who aren't fully trained in the school of manhood; however, it's the abandonment by a parent and sometimes abuse (in 2 parent homes as well as by the stressed custodial parent), even, which would cause the anger and hostility I see. This makes sense to me. For, after all, I'd be angry, too, if I were abandoned or abused.

The system couldn't stop me from rearing my child as I saw fit unless I was committing the crimes of neglect or abuse. Otherwise, parents en masse would force the system to raise a deluge of children, including mine. Reasonable corporal punishment is a parental choice. In my home, my child was spanked when she lied or was disobedient and even though she did not have two parents her entire childhood, as her mother, I made sure that I taught her to respect authority so neither the MPD or Sheriff's Department would have the opportunity (and sometimes pleasure, even) to do it for me.

So parents, discipline your kids yourself and let them no as my parents did, "If you go to jail, don't call me." Then if they go to jail for acting like a fool in public, let them sit there and think about their lack of good judgment. Stop bailing them out and then driving them down to 201 Poplar and holding their hands as they await trial. Let them work it out for themselves so they will think twice about their behavior in the future.

Please pardon my verbosity; but in today's vernacular, "...just sayin'...

 Now, here is why it is important that we have this discussion. These are all valuable points for parents who are too lenient and set no boundaries. This is wake up advice for them.  But the truth is, some of our parents cannot parent because they did not have good models. Some of our parents are reality shows like "HoneyBooBoo" and "BaeBae". Some watch terrible things happen to children and some children see monsters they should never see and parents think they will grow out of it.  Some of the "voices in their minds" would scare us.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention made eliminating violence a health threat. According to them:

 "Violence is a serious public health problem in the United States. From infants to the elderly, it affects people in all stages of life. In 2013, 16,121 people were victims of homicide and 41,149 took their own life. The number of violent deaths tells only part of the story. Many more survive violence and are left with permanent physical and emotional scars. Violence also erodes communities by reducing productivity, decreasing property values, and disrupting social services."

The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention is committed to ending violence from its roots and helping people to live to their fullest potential.

So here is my suggestion. Our Shelby County Health Department, Schools Systems, State Department of Human Services, Mental Health Associations and County Government should consider joining forces with the Center for Disease and Control to research proven strategies or programs.  Our community needs to research what resources we have and what we need in Shelby County to address violence in this community. Linking resources should give us a better opportunity to compete for federal funds. Let's do some well coordinated planning and eliminate the root of the problem violence. I have confidence that these political leaders can make this happen. Senators Lee Harris and Mark Norris, Rep. Lisa Akbari, Governor Haslem, County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Health Department, and Superintendent Hopson you can make this work and not just save our city, county, but our families and children.  

E'Nuf Said!

Politics 101: Build Coalitions, Share Responsibilities and Praise

The Notetaker's Politics 101:
Build Coalitions, Share Responsibilities & Praise

Councilwoman Wanda Halbert sponsored a resolution for a Teen Summer Youth Program six months after the budget was adopted, which is difficult, and met opposition from the administration who wanted those dollars for an expansion of the ambassador youth program. The Memphis City Council debated the issue and approved reinstating the Summer Youth Program which was dismantled by the Administration.

Now, it is time to announce and administer the program. The Press Conference is announced for today and mentions what the Mayor and the business community are doing to the public. However, not once were the actions of the Memphis City Council acknowledged and we are seeing this program as a result of their leadership! After talking to council members and staff, they were just invited formally to the press conference. This conference should have been coordinated with them because many are just returning from the National League of Cities Meeting and they led this initiative.

If Council and Mayor relationships are to ever improve, his office must understand and practice the principles of shared responsibilities and master the art teamwork.

He did not fail to mention the business community that he values, but the Council's role was not as valued in this press release from him.

It reminds of how the administration failed to get public input on Riverside Drive as it took lanes of traffic from 1000s of motorists to give to a handful of bikers. Had they talked to the public first, it may have recommended that some of the green space be used for biker lanes and not add to the congestion of the Riverside Drive.  Especially, after recently adding the new business of the Riverfront Center that has catered events and a more congested street will adds to parking issues and drop-off and pick up issues for guests.

Government is not a private corporation. It belongs to the people and has many stakeholders and their participation should be encouraged, welcomed and valued.

Little by little. I am noticing we are not valued but an after thought. I am also noticing how often we are giving developed and financed public projects to private interests. They sell it to us under the disguise of another way to save money. Whose money, our or theirs? I digress.

Chicago's Mayor is in an election battle even with the POTUS's endorsement, because of some of these same issues...public education and relying too heavy on business to the exclusion of valuing public input.

Effective leaders must find a balance. The Mayor has had six years to find a balance but it has not occurred, yet. How much longer will it take?

What Can City Politicians Do For You?

The Notetaker: Thinking Out Loud Tuesday

Do you know what you expect the Mayor or Council to do for this community?  Here's what I want:

1.  Revision of the Pilot Rules 
External Audits; Residency Requirement; Diversity Rules and a second step approval process for the Edge Board.

2.  Supportive Partner for Public Education
I am not one of those who does not want to spend public funds on education.  I just want it targeted and accountable.

3. Quality Public Services 
A thirty-forty year street repaving program is unacceptable when we had a ten year cycle under Mayor Willie Herenton​'s tenure. Sidewalks for school children and a repair sidewalk programs for seniors in low income areas rather than sending them notices to place a lien of their properties. And, we have spent too many millions on bicycle lanes for less than 20 bicycles traveling down Millbranch a whole month. What happened to the pothole repair service in 24-Hours? And, I dare not talk about how Riverside Drive was destroyed.

4.  Government that values labor and keeps its promises. 
If changes must be made it should be with new employees but never, never, punish retirees who severed with honor and then you give them a bouncing check.

5.  Public access to meetings. 
Memphis can't park in your garage and parking downtown at some lots costs $15 and the meters make it costly, too. Why can't we have City Courts in the city and not downtown to provide parking for citizens?  Why can't we have public meetings on a cable station like Nashville's public meetings?  We have a city library television station?  Why can't we have public meetings televised?  Oh I know, the revolution cannot be televised. LOL

6. Reduce our crime stats and align how we measure crime with FBI stats.
Provide the Director with the resources he outlines in his budget. That process starts with the Administration and moves to the City Council.  Allow the Director the opportunity to draft and implement his plan to tackle crime without all the busy corporate hands trying to tell him what to do.  He is the professional.  Sure, he needs corporate and community input but stop trying to lead his effort. Be good team players.

Stop the excuse that we don't count our crime in the same way as the FBI.  We don't believe that crime is down, I don't care how it is counted.  But, we are a part of the state and the federal governments so there should be consistency in our measurement of crime.

We had $8 million given to us by Bloomberg and the tangible results cannot be measured and his input in that was limited. That's my view from where I sit.  We allow the corporate busybodies to convince us because they are business professionals they know what's best in education and public safety.  Respect the professions!!!

7. Income Inequality and Poverty 
The best way to deal with this is to create wealth by dividing the pie of opportunity with minority and women owned businesses, Sybille Noble, Wendi C. Thomas​, Darrell Cobbins​ and others have studied this problem.  Bring new names to the table to tackle this problem.  Sorry, if you have worked on this the last ten years and now we are less than 3% percent.  You are relieved of this burden. Give someone else a look.

I am also a little bored with always having to gatekeepers or Stephens. I am ready to call you out if you fail to do your jobs to improve this community.  I don't care if you get the check and live well, but make sure you do the work for us and can be measured.

Now, to those of you who will read this and think you can just copy what I want as a platform and put no intellectual capital into this process, get ready for me to ask you, "How?" Without that answer, you are just another empty tailored suit.

8.  Support Our Community's Youth Services Programs
As a social worker who worked as an Executive Director for American Cancer Society, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and St. Peter's Adoption Services, I am not one to think that the City must create a program for children.  We have professionals and programs already doing that. But they, need public funds to grow and expand programming.

We have Boys Clubs, Pink Eagles, Girls Clubs, Firehouse Arts Production and others  we need to invest in. Stop giving money without measurable goals and objectives to determine how effective they are in this community and onsite review dates.  You can assess the effectiveness of a program at a Council member in five minutes.  Someone in the administration needs to make those site visits and evaluate those agencies.

I loved the City's Summer Youth Jobs program and it should be restored.

I want the City to provide wonderful libraries and good programs with great security at community centers.  Why can't we offer piano lessons, dance classes, and painting classes to our youngsters?  Why must only the middle class children get a chance to develop their talents?  Now, that's an investment the city can make to offer the schools  for after school learning opportunities in collaboration with community centers.  Take the service to the school.  Brain storm, please.  You have an excellent leader, Director Janet Hooks.  But, this takes money.

Where is the Happy Middle with PILOTS?

I know some of you think my ideas on public policy may be on the extreme left even though you creep to the edge agreeing with some of them.  (LOL) What I appreciate about you is that we never fall out of love over an issue.

I am not opposed to the use of PILOTS. I know some don’t think I understand what a PILOT is but I know that it is “an agreement, generally, an agreement that is used to transfer a public or local government’s tax exempt status to a private entity. The property is not on the local government’s tax rolls because it belongs to a tax exempt entity, even though the property is being leased to and used by a private entity, and the private entity receives the benefit of this tax abatement. These agreements are typically used by local governments as an incentive to induce the relocation of a new business or the expansion of an existing business in the community.” (Tennessee Real Estate Law- Legal Commentary by David Wicker) I was an appointed member of the Tennessee Board of Equalization. Don’t play me “small”, I understand what’s going on.

In 2004 the State General Assembly commissioned a study from Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to determine the impact of loss revenue for public education as a result of PILOTs and found that abatements resulted in a loss of at least $33 million in Tennessee’s county school systems revenue.  Since that time, the use of PILOTs’ in Shelby has almost doubled, not declined. (The report is interesting and I will attach.)

I am opposed to taking funds needed to educate a workforce and then use the phrase, “We need to lure low waged jobs because our people are under skilled and unemployable”.

I am opposed to:

·        PILOTS without job/employment residency requirements (Why would you use my taxes to subsidize the services of a corporation who does not hire 75% of their employees from Memphis?)

·        PILOTS without independent audits and reviews (Why can corporations give employees performance appraisals but taxpayers can’t have contract appraisals?)

·        PILOTS and Incentives without penalties for violating or failing to meet contract expectations? (Why should Pinnacle Airlines get incentives and then belly up, close shop and somebody walks away with a building renovated and a $3 million dollar government grant for a downtown garage paid for with taxpayer money? Remember, we did not take them to court or even pick a fight in the court of public opinion. Instead, we rewarded them by making the former CEO of Pinnacle our Chamber of Commerce President.  Ouch, that hurts, I know.   Do I need to list the others  companies that left without fulfilling their PILOT commitments. who have done the same?

Sidebar:  The funds to pay for the $3 million garage came from money the City received for the sale of the Depot and was to be used for Small and Minority Businesses.  Instead, they got hijacked for Pinnacle. And there was nothing small or minority about that company. And this media said nothing...

But, I know that it does not make EDGE and PILOTS bad words. What I don’t understand is why we have had PILOTS since 2005 and ten years later our unemployment rate is 7.9%.

The national unemployment rate as of November 2014 was 5.8%, Tennessee’s rate was 6.8% and Memphis’ rate was 7.9%. (http://www.deptofnumbers.com/unemployment/tennessee/memphis/)

For once, I wish we would examine the existing small businesses and be the kind of City that cares enough to help them grow by improving infrastructure and public safety.  Sweetie Pies Restaurant on Beale Street may have be a marketing tool for Beale Street, but after listening to the show on YouTube and the way some family members trashed Memphis, forget them.  Truth is, I would put up Southern Hands, Kountry Kitchen,The Four-Way Grill, Peggy’s and Stein’s to them any day. St. Louis found their jewel and helped them grow.  Let’s find ours.

Why can’t we see a great new opportunity in Whitehaven, O’Taste and See at 2045 East Brooks Road and get Housing and Community Development to help make them the Café Palladio in this area? 

Why can’t we get excited about a 25 year old young man who has opened The Dizzy Bird Jazz Lounge in the Edge District? This business will attract older locals to the area and support live music in our city.  If we want to revitalize the music industry we need to work those investing in the music.

Why can’t we find a way to lend support to Hubbard’s Hardware on Millbranch who did not cut and run when economic climate and clientele changed?  Who helps them grow?

Who rolls out the red carpet for Bogen Communications, a corporate entity that chose Memphis and did not ask for a tax break and will hire 25 people in their distribution center? Why have we not heard from the Chamber and Memphis about this company who chose us because we are the Distribution Hub of America?  Bogen Communications provide audio-Visual Equipment and Accessories. I am loving those who love me and saying to other who snubbed me, " The doors of the Church is still open for new members". 

"I love you, Bogen Communication for choosing MEMPHIS!"  I'll tell your story about how you provide microphones, microphone mixers, amplifiers, loudspeakers, receivers/tuners and other audio-visual accessories for the world.  They chose us, and will pay a living wage. I really love you for caring that your employees will be able to provide for their families.

Now, we have retailers asking for PILOTS and if we are not careful, only homeowners will be left to pay the bills for providing government services.  That’s scary because our tax base is declining, not growing and in the ten year history of PILOTs’, they haven’t helped either. 

There must be a Happy Middle for PILOTS and I hope government will address it soon.  And, please, stop giving away all your power that we voted for you to have.  We did not vote for EDGE to make those decisions?  What's wrong with a two step process like the Land Use Control Board?

I know I reside on the left of most issues, but I will be happy with a middle approach.  Are we there, yet?  Can we at least talk about it?  Can the voices include more than EDGE's?

#OSCARS So White

After seeing SELMA and understanding the unique circumstances in producing a film without the dismantled King Family's authorization, I was almost speechless over the talent of the film's director, Ava Duvernay.

In fact, the only word that came to mind was the title of the movie's Academy Award Nominated song, "Glory".  

I did not see all the films that are nominated for best picture.  Therefore, I feel awkward commenting on who should have been nominated and who should not.  But, what I find odd is how SELMA was nominated for Best Picture and received no nomination for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenwriter or Best Cinematography. How are you included in the "Best Picture" category when all the individual parts are snubbed and none are label extraordinary?  Somebody needs to address this question or I am left to feel that this snubbed shows some validity in the hashtag #Oscars So White.  

I am not a trained journalist, but I am an opinion guru.  According to a little known source called "Wikipedia The Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director have been very closely linked throughout their history. Of the 86 films that have been awarded Best Picture, 62 have also been awarded Best Director. Only four films have won Best Picture without their directors being nominated: Wings (1927/28), Grand Hotel (1931/32),Driving Miss Daisy (1989), and Argo (2012). The only two Best Director winners to win for films which did not receive a Best Picture nomination are distinctly during the early years: Lewis Milestone for Two Arabian Knights (1927/28), and Frank Lloyd for The Divine Lady (1928/29).

My next question is directed to the African American community.  Why would this movie nationally open with a $11 million in ticket sales? Now, that's on us and, not racism. 

According to the http://www.blackyouthproject.com/2011/12/the-10-highest-grossing-black-films-of-all-time are as follows:

10.  Are We There Yet?                   $97 Million

  9.  Little Man                               $101 Million 

  8.  Ray                                         $125 Million

  7.  Boomerang                             $131 Million

  6.  Big Momma's House              $137 Million

  5.  Bad Boys                                $144 Million

  4.  DreamGirls                             $154 Million

  3.  Big Momma's House 2000     $173 Million

  2.  Bad Boys 2                             $272 Million

  1.  Coming to America                $288 Million

There is a commentary for this list that shows our Top Ten, but I won't bother giving it because you were read my mind. What we are allowing to consume us?  I like many of those films and went to see all of them.  Well, except, Little Man and Big Momma's House. I could not do that to myself and waited for the HBO showing of  them.  But, I also value films with storytelling like Akleelah and the Bee, Twelve Years a Slave, Antwone Fisher, The Princess & the Frog, and yes, SELMA.

So, I have two questions one for the Academy and one for the African American community.  I am looking forward to reading the answer that I am sure they Academy will address. And, I want us to answer the second question with our surge of ticket sales. As I was writing this blog, my daughter called and said the Academy Awards addressed my question that was echoed from thousands. Can't wait to read the response.

P.S.Well, I just read the response from the (African American) Academy Awards' President.  She does not address the merits of the craft or art being critiqued, and its parts ignored.  But, in my opinion she verifies a flawed system, directors nominate directors, actors nominate actors, etc.  It is a peer review concept and the body that is in that that "peer review" lacks diversity.  Therefore the system itself is flawed.  All I can say, after that, is SistahGirl, you have some work to do.