AJC: On Atlanta’s Most Dangerous Block, Change Comes Slowly

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The Street Names Have Changed.....The People HAVEN'T
In one square region there are a number of street names that were changed in the spirit of community consciousness.

At the time we were told that "a people who see the names of Confederate War Generals a fixed on street signs all around them will begin to believe themselves to be INFERIOR and will thus DESTROY each other". Operating under this set of instructions the course was defined in which the community would be customized with the names of THEIR OWN heroes.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
• Ralph David Abernathy - this street was chosen because it intersects with MLK
• Joseph E Lowery Blvd
• Donald Lee Holloway replaced "Bankhead Hwy" because of its notorious reputation

Those of us who live outside of this community were told not to "judge" this place but instead to come in and HELP the people who are in need.  As more POLITICAL power was amassed among the favored ideology and party - THEIR policies became the prevailing order.

Over time as certain key elements of these communities eroded - "those who could" began to exit from these streets.  In vacating these houses - they vacate from the THREAT that was around them.  Despite moving away to consume an environment that is more conducive to their safety, their children's education and their home values.....they continue to show their support for the people left behind by continuing to VOTE for the policies which they have vacated as their own sign of connectedness with the community.  

At what point, people, do we begin to inspect the PREVAILING ASSUMPTIONS that dominate the Black community, confirming that they do indeed work in our own best interests rather than simply being inline with the prevailing set of thoughts and are retained due to the ideological bigotry that is resident within?

How many more Black lives need to be ended and dreams of Black children need to be snuffed out before our anger turns into the will to MANAGE this situation toward a different end?

Instead of attacking the people who are critically analyzing the situation.  It is time to start critically analysing the prevailing order WITHIN.

Since March, 5 killings have taken place in 1300 block of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard

By TIM EBERLY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Atlanta police have a new problem child.

It comes in the form of late-night hangouts bunched together on the same block of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard in northwest Atlanta.

Boone, formerly named Simpson Road, has long been known as a place where violence felt welcome. But homicide detectives call Boone’s 1300 block the most dangerous block in the city. Since March, five homicides have been committed in or outside three establishments on Boone Boulevard: Jones Tasty Dog, American Legion Post 574 and Ruby’s Sanabella Lounge.

“Right now, it’s the worst in the city of Atlanta in terms of the smallest geographical area with the largest number of violent crimes,” said Atlanta police Lt. Keith Meadows, commander of the homicide unit.

Three killings occurred in a recent 31-day span. Demetrius Holt, 25, was killed and four others were shot Dec. 7 when an unidentified man opened fire in the American Legion hall. Ronnie Hill, 46, was shot to death Nov. 28 after an altercation that began at the Tasty Dog. Paul Martin, 19, was shot to death Nov. 6 while in his car outside Ruby’s. No one has been arrested in connection with any of the slayings.

Police say the block sees plenty of other crimes, also, including drug dealing, assaults, prostitution and robberies. And it’s been that way for more than two decades.

“It’s terrible,” said Atlanta City Councilman Ivory Young, who represents the area and remembers when, decades ago, Simpson Road was a vibrant business district. “It has unfortunately gone from best to worst.”

Atlanta police have tried to crack down on the area numerous times over the years, with no real lasting success. But the recent spike in violence has gotten the attention of so many that the Tasty Dog has been shut down temporarily by county health officials and the American Legion post has been shuttered by its state office.

(article continued @ link above)

‘Young crowd is crazy’

Jones, a convicted felon who says he spent a decade in prison for cocaine distribution, blames the spike in violence on the younger generation.

“The young crowd is crazy,” he said. “They don’t care about anything. That’s the problem — no respect.”

Jones said he plans to fix all the violations for which he was cited and try to reopen the Tasty Dog, though county prosecutors are considering filing a nuisance lawsuit against the property owner.

“I guess I got to keep working,” Jones said. “Got to do something.”/blockquote>

The American Legion building on Joseph Boone Blvd - the "death chamber" where several Blacks died during a recent gun battle at a party.
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