Grand Street Settlement’s Post

MLK Day of Service reminds us that helping others is part of who we are My latest column:

At the Urban League of Philadelphia's recent Citywide Convening: Community Safety and Community Engagement, Founder Michael O'Bryan moderated a panel featuring Ala Stanford, MD, FACS, FAAP, Scott Charles from Temple University, and clinician Kevin Carter on the systemic issues impacting community safety. The key insight is that a "safe community" is one with robust financial, social, and civic investments, and if any of those pillars are lacking, it creates challenges and inequities. Investments significantly shape the range of choices and opportunities available in neighborhoods - a factor we believe carries immense importance. In Philadelphia, the communities most impacted by violence are predominantly Black. What we have seen is what Dr. Ruth Wilson Gilmore calls "organized abandonment," a concept recently introduced to us by our colleague, Sharrelle Barber, ScD, MPH. This term encapsulates the deliberate lack of investment, or planned disinvestment, in certain communities that leads to the deterioration of both social and physical infrastructure, ultimately undermining human well-being. Moreover, the realities of occupational segregation and income disparities plaguing entire zip codes further contribute to this disproportionate exposure to harm and risk, severely constraining the options accessible to residents. Addressing this systemic disinvestment emerges as a crucial step toward expanding opportunity. The convening was a positive step towards clearly defining the issues and challenges, while considering opportunities, in order to create a coordinated agenda of solutions and action items. To dive deeper into understanding community gun violence as a human rights and public health issue as well as the importance of holistic solutions, check out this resource by the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence.

As I enter the new year, I commit to making my social capital count for the lives that depend on it. I would ask that you do the same. I want to address a heart-wrenching reality that cannot be ignored: the staggering rate of gun violence taking the lives of young African American males in our nation. Every single day, mothers are losing their sons. In America, 14 young men and boys fall victim to gun violence in our cities every 24 hours. Homicide tragically stands as the leading cause of death for African American males aged 10 to 24. This statistic isn't just a number – it's a stark representation of lost potential, dreams unfulfilled, and families irreparably broken. The disparity in homicide rates is startling and speaks volumes about the systemic issues we face. While the homicide rate for African American males aged 10-24 is an alarming 60.7 per 100,000, for their white counterparts, it's 3.5 per 100,000. This isn't just an issue of public health or crime – it's a matter of social justice, equity, and humanity. As a father, uncle, and grandfather to young African American males, I must be involved. Our approach through Social Capital is not just a strategy; it's a necessity. We understand that facing this challenge cannot be a solitary fight. It requires a collective, united effort where communities, organizations, and individuals come together. By leveraging our networks, resources, and influence, we can create impactful interventions and provide support where needed most. Alive and Free! Cities United Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. YouthBuild USA Youth Justice Network National Youth Employment Coalition Advance Peace The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) Maryland Innovation Center

Absolutely, I completely agree with the sentiments expressed in the linked message. Collective bullying of public figures is a pervasive issue that contributes to a toxic societal environment just as much as individual and group bullying in our personal lives. It is essential to respectfully share differing perspectives and engage in civil discourse to cultivate a healthy and thriving society. Character assassination and disrespect toward those who hold different opinions, lifestyles, or group affiliations is a dangerous trend that erodes the foundation of a tolerant and inclusive society. It's a slippery slope that can lead to a culture of fear, intimidation, and oppression. We must collectively take a stand against this toxic incivility and strive for a more understanding and empathetic approach to our differences. As individuals, we have a responsibility to examine our own behavior and refrain from engaging in or condoning any form of bullying or disrespectful discourse, whether it be directed towards those we know personally or public figures in the media. By promoting kindness, empathy, and open-mindedness, we can collectively contribute to a healthier and more harmonious society.

I think it is important for me to share to share the YouTube link for this wonderful event exploring 'Women’s experiences of policing and justice: how can we restore trust? It was hosted by King's College London Global Institute for Women's Leadership. The event was powerful and provided a reassurance that despite the muted response from the UK media, the abuse of women and girls by our complacent institutions, is still a live concern for women in the UK. Horrific and harrowing cases of women being abused, raped and even murdered by police officers in the UK have damaged confidence in the force and raised questions about gender-based violence and discrimination within both the police and justice system more broadly. These cases have also ignited debates about an endemic culture of harassment, abuse and violence against women across UK society in general, with too many instances either unreported or not taken seriously. The link between misogyny, racism, class and money was also explored. The discussion panel members were made up of a stella group of powerful women. Baroness Louise Casey, Commissioner of the Casey Review, the independent review of the Metropolitan Police’s culture and standards of behaviour. Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London (Chair), Hannana Siddiqui of Southall Black Sisters, Lady Edwina Grosvenor, prison philanthropist and founder of One Small Thing, a charity whose mission is to redesign the justice system for women and their children, and Dr Wanda Wyporska, FRHistS Wyporska, Former CEO, Black Equity Organisation. A powerful and reassuring event. Women are not taking this issue lightly. https://lnkd.in/eHKcjy2x

Raising children is a teamwork of parents, teachers, school and society. While beating children is bad but teaching children discipline is very essential. It's very important to teach them what not to say and do more importantly than what to say and do. It's important to teach them not to hurt others. In a society when all of us live together, it needs to be taught to children to be respectful and to be kind to one another. Most importantly to underprivileged communities and children from those communities. Many times, we do not understand that their challenges are much more than in comparison to ours. We also need to teach children to respect authority but not to become enslaved to authority but to respect and regard them and follow the orders for the betterment of society. Difference in leadership and bossing needs to be understood and taught to children. Leadership has different forms. Choosing the best form of leadership is important. But before choosing we need to have understanding of leadership. From where we evolved from stone age, where power was mostly physical and mental. But society was not formed in stone age, principles of life were not defined and developed. So, without an understanding of present world, where most people are educated behaving like dealing with uneducated people isn't acceptable. People must have a reasonable judgement and conduct. That doesn't come without teaching and learning in school. I feel we need psychologist in school to assess the children to teach kindness, respect and empathy and also channel their strengths to bring positive outcomes to create positive life impact. There are great people with great energies but imagine if they were taught right from the beginning and they knew kindness our world could have been the best place in the world. Not teaching children the essentials of living and not understanding psychology of child when they are all brought up alike there is no productivity. So having Psychologist assess the child give them the best tools to be the best people in their life would transform our world. We didn't need to say, ask and yell for our needs. System would have functioned smoothly. Little discipline is must for children, so they understand the importance of behaving themselves properly amongst others. Fathers played key role in disciplining children while mothers loved the children. So, raising children was a teamwork. I also want to request parents not to get separated when children are growing up. Stay together till children become adults if you need to get separated as well. Be as a family for the sake of your children and their future. Raising children is a teamwork of parents, teachers, school and society. If an adult is certain way, it's not just his fault it's because of parents, teachers, school and society. When so many people fail in a child's life an adult fails. So please try to not fail the child be there for each other for our children's sake.

Morning is an important time of day because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have. #91dayyear #liveonpurpose #HaveyourBestWeek #HBCUbiz #HBCU #Blackbusiness #GrowYourBusiness #4GChallenge

Morning is an important time of day because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have. #91dayyear #liveonpurpose #HaveyourBestWeek #HBCUbiz #HBCU #Blackbusiness #GrowYourBusiness #4GChallenge

Morning is an important time of day because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have. #91dayyear #liveonpurpose #HaveyourBestWeek #HBCUbiz #HBCU #Blackbusiness #GrowYourBusiness #4GChallenge