I pen an op-ed over at theGrio.com, arguing that the growing use of RICO statutes against gangs doesn’t go far enough. Given FBI statistics that 80% of U.S. crime is linked to gangs, I write: “Gangs certainly commit violence and intimidation against civilians to achieve a desired outcome, especially against individuals perceived to be undermining the gang’s goals. Coupled with psychological warfare inherent in the ‘no snitching’ ethic, gang-related actions are also physical warfare designed to coerce community members into not cooperating with law enforcement.”

I continue my commentary: “Gang-related actions thus don’t just affect their immediate target. By creating a perpetually fearful atmosphere, they also serve as a warning to entire communities. When gangs shoot police officers, judges, and other government officials, they seek to influence government policy. Their actions dramatically lower the quality of life in many communities — and it is black communities who are disproportionately affected by gang activity — as few businesses wish to create jobs in a high-crime environment. If safe streets are a key goal for black America and the U.S. at large, there must be a coordinated, more forceful attack against the organized entity that is responsible: gangs. It’s high time that we treat the terrorism at home with the same vigor as we do Al Qaeda abroad.”

Metro Atlanta is in the grips of yet another wave of street violence with victims as famous as former boxing champion Vernon Forrest and incidents as shocking as a failed car jacking of a father and his child stopped by the youngster’s screams as the cowards tried to drag him from his car seat. For over 20 years friends have told me to “steal away” down the highway to Atlanta, where Black folks can get better jobs and treatment as opposed to Savannah. While it’s true that aggressive leadership and common ground thinking has made ATL a top pick for strivers of all colors, it’s crime rate is causing me to wonder if it’s time to rethink it’s rep as a “mecca” for Black people.

by Nadra Enzi Quick, name one community that has prospered by allowing its least intelligent, least moral segment to take control of its streets? Those who quickly came up with, “None!” have addressed where I feel inner city America is headed- at warp speed! The sub-culture that mass produces the twisted parodies of human functioning [...]

By Nadra Enzi When White mobsters waged war on 1930s America with tommy guns blazing, they were met by a public and private alliance that matched them bullet for bullet in many cases until the major ones were either dead or imprisoned. The same held true for their post-Civil War predecessors who decided to conduct [...]