Backatcha, Homie

In his column, “Pick that trash up, homeboy!” [Free the Jackson Five!, May] Clinton Collins wrote, “Oh, I can hear the apologist now…” Well, Mr. Collins, if you step out beyond your own back yard into the community, you can see the institutions that those apologists have built: Pilot City, Father Project, Turning Point, StairStep Foundation. For every social ill you depict in your columns—poverty, oppression, teen pregnancy, white racism—there are dedicated individuals and institutions committed to the front lines, combating these problems daily. Now, newcomer, let me offer you that apology: Sorry, homeboy, we haven’t gotten around to lawns yet! There are black families on the Northside who have owned homes for over 40 years. There are successful black small-business owners in the area. Community support organizations, community representatives, politicians, and community activists deeply dedicated to the neighborhood. I was equally troubled by your most recent column, “How I became a supporter of the MPD” [August] in which you wrote, “In the last 10 years, rising home prices in the nicer parts of town and decreasing crime in the area has given these homes a well-deserved second wind. And the Minneapolis Police deserve much of the credit for the turnaround.” No, sir, you have it wrong. Historically on the Northside the Minneapolis Police have been part of the problem, not the solution. Residents are more familiar with heavy-handed policing which is more indicative of an occupying force than a crime-fighting partner. The true credit for the turnaround should be given to the community neighborhood associations, homeowners, increased political involvement, mothers and fathers, black people who have refused to move to Richfield and remained committed to the preservation of the community. What I’m writing about is community pride. Yeah, it still exists, get on the bandwagon. Your “Brother Card” is hereby revoked!

Rod Martens
Minneapolis