THE CZECH IS IN THE MAIL
Anytime a tragedy occurs, there’s a lot of finger-pointing — particularly when it involves gun violence. Early Tuesday morning, a tragic event involving a shooting took place in Elgin.
One teen died as a result of the incident, and another is suspected of carrying out the homicide. At press time, the young man remained in the Bastrop County Jail charged with murder.
I’m not going to use my platform as a means to advocate for more gun laws. That would be false because I support the Second Amendment.
However, I’m going to advocate for something else – the end of the term “Black-on-Black crime.”
Both the victim and the suspect in the Tuesday morning tragedy are African American.
It disturbs me that such a term exists. If the two young men involved in this incident were White, would it be referred to as “Whiteon- White crime”?
What if they were Asian or Hispanic? Would we call this incident “Asian-on-Asian” or “Hispanic-on-Hispanic” crime?
I have never heard or seen any of the other ethnic groups named in such a manner. Why does such a term exist for the Black community?
I’ve heard the excuse that “Black people kill each other.”
Guess what? White people slay each other, too.
According to a recent USA Today poll, 84% of White homicide victims were killed by White offenders. The poll also noted 93% of Black homicide victims were slain by Black assailants.
So, instead of pointing fingers or repeating tired narratives, let’s recognize this incident for what it really is – a tragedy.
The family of the victim will never be able to speak to their loved one again.
Let’s also remember that in the justice system, a defendant in a criminal case enjoys the presumption of innocence unless a jury returns a verdict of guilty. The same goes for the suspect in this episode.
A tragedy like this could happen anywhere regardless of skin color or ethnicity.
I pray the victim’s family receives justice.
I also pray that we as a society realize there’s no need to stereotype.
Chlapek is the area editor of the Elgin Courier and Taylor Press. He can be reached at jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners. com.
