While there are timely and necessary national conversations about the training of police officers in interactions with black males, we in Savannah are faced with addressing the proverbial elephant in the room. For years, we have discussed it only in whispers among well-meaning and good-intentioned folk of all races.
Cities across the country are dealing with disproportionate numbers of black males engaged in violent behavior to the extent that in 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared homicide the leading cause of death for black males ages 15 to 34 years old.
Societal implications are obvious: heart-broken family members, children growing up without significant relationships with their fathers, single-parent households, poverty, unrealized dreams, unfulfilled potential and, ultimately, untreated mental and emotional distress that manifests itself in ways that cannot be fathomed. This is coupled with the realization the village — through neglect, ignorance, indifference or bad choices — has failed.
Our local facts are staggering and sobering. Although African-Americans males between 10 and 29 make up less than 10 percent of Chatham County’s population, 49.4 percent of them are likely to be victims of violent crime. In 2014, 23 black males lost their lives in homicides. Fifteen were under the age of 30, and four were juveniles.
Also, in 2013, 1,335 African-American males under the age of 21 were arrested in Chatham. That year, black males represented 36 percent of deprivation referrals and 62 percent of delinquency referrals to Juvenile Court. On any given day, black males account for 67 percent of Chatham County Jail inmates.
Savannah, beyond being Georgia’s first city and capitol, has consistently shown over time its ability to bring together her brightest minds and passionate hearts — business, nonprofit and educational leaders, and clergy and lay citizens — to collaborate and comprehensively address compelling social issues.
In collaboration with the National League of Cities’ Cities United project and President Barack Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson and the City Council have taken the bold step of not only having a courageous public conversation about race — and specifically about black males — but corralling community, educational, religious and civic support to address it.
The World Health Organization provides a useful blueprint as we address this epidemic: Interrupt transmission; prevent future spread, and change group norms. This must be done while encouraging and spotlighting young people who are doing well, making the right choices and doing the right things.
Savannah is blessed with world-class post-secondary educational institutions, Savannah State and Armstrong State universities. We will enlist them to assist us in this multi-disciplinary theoretical approach to social work, health, education, public administration and criminal justice. Our multi-agency governmental approach will review policies, procedures and practices. The goal is unprecedented information sharing and analysis of trends to address those in the criminal justice system and determine ways to prevent others from entering it.
Also, the City Council will evaluate non-profits that receive city funds to determine gaps in or duplication of services, to ensure the maximum investment of public dollars.
Obviously, there are black males who have beaten the odds and succeeded despite their circumstances. We will amplify their voices. Likewise, there are those who have been incarcerated, have returned home and want to make a difference in their community. We will re-connect them to their neighborhoods to spread their wisdom.
In 2004, then-Mayor Otis Johnson and the City Council adopted a vision for Savannah that states, “Savannah will be a safe, environmentally healthy, economically thriving community for all of its citizens.”
In Savannah, all means all, including black males.
Van R. Johnson II is Savannah mayor pro tem.
