ELLIS: Where's the leadership?
As we approach the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the champion of non-violence, I can't help but reflect on my little piece of the world -- Macon-Bibb County and 2015 was one of its most violent years in recent memory. All of the 28 lives lost to violent acts, be it by gun or by some other means, were precious, but none more so than 14-year-old Ta'Shuntis Roberts, a ninth-grader at Southwest High School, known more for its past championship basketball teams than the murder of ninth-graders.
I attended the funeral of Ta'Shuntis, affectionately known as "Tootie," along with thousands of young and old alike. I was there not as a former mayor but as a father of two precious daughters and three precious granddaughters. I was also there to demonstrate to the well more than a thousand young people assembled that I, too, was mourning the lost of such a promising young lady. That I, too, felt their pain.
From my understanding "Tootie" was headed for greatness, perhaps to being another Gloria Washington, the late and great principal of Southwest High School, or perhaps a future mayor of Macon or president Of The United States. Who knows what was in store for her? But what we do know is a life was taken from us much too soon by a deadly weapon in the hands of someone who had no business having it.
As I sat among the young people, trying to make sense of it all, I couldn't help but reflect back on my days as a ninth grader at historic Ballard-Hudson Senior High School and tried to imagine one of my classmates being gunned down while sitting in what should have been the safest place in the city, their home.
As I surveyed the confused looks on the faces of so many of the students gathered there, I thought to myself what an unfortunate gathering, but yet what an opportunity for the leadership of this community to say something that would have brought some comfort and try to make some sense out of such a senseless and cowardly act. Then I wondered, where was the sheriff, the mayor, the district attorney, county commissioners, Juvenile Court judges etc. Where were they all? They should not have been there for political reasons, no more than President Obama attended the funeral of those murdered in historic Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. He was there to mourn the loss of innocent people by gun violence, the very same reason I expected the sheriff, mayor and others to have attended "Tootie's" funeral; no more, no less.
The sheriff, as the chief law enforcement officer not only should have been in attendance, but he should have sought permission to address the young people and not so young there. The sheriffs should have spoken, not to politically grandstand, but rather from his heart, to inspire, and assure those young people that we are doing everything in our power to keep them safe, and to challenge them to take lessons from this tragic death, and not to let "Tootie's" death be in vain.
I understand that violence is a community wide problem, but leaders lead always, especially in time of crisis. I stand ready to help in any way possible, but what is the plan of attack against this violence that's so pervasive in our community? If it had been a funeral of an older person who had lived a long and productive life, I can assure you the aforementioned individuals would have been there three to a mule.
Finally, to quote Fannie Lou Hamer, "I am sick and tired of being sick and tired" of hearing about black on black crime, as if it matters less that the perpetrators and victims are of the same race. What difference does it make? The pain and sense of loss is no less a matter of race. Trust me I know. My younger brother was murdered by gun violence at the hand of another black man in this city. It did not lessen the pain of his children and siblings whatsoever. All lives matter, whether that life is taken by a white, black, brown, red or yellow person.
As we prepare to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, let's stop the violence. Action is required from all of us and especially from those whose job it is to lead us in crime prevention and public safety.
C. Jack Ellis is a former mayor of Macon.
This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 8:19 PM with the headline "ELLIS: Where's the leadership? ."