Occupying the thoughts and conversations of just about everyone I encounter these days is the topic of crime. Crime has been on the rise in Memphis, and part of being fed up with it all is finding some comfort in sharing our concerns with others. Like an unwelcome and obnoxious cocktail party guest who barrels unbidden into every conversation, the topic can't be ignored. People are scared, and if misery loves company, then fear could use some companionship, as well.
We recently had a mayoral election in Memphis, and in the months leading up to the vote, I listened intently for what the candidates had to say about our current state of lawlessness. Most of these aspirants for office wanted to talk about getting at the "root causes of crime." The usual suspects here are familiar: poverty, poor education, lack of opportunity. I am all for any efforts to address our societal ills, but our problem now is immediate and urgent. Consider this. If someone has sustained a terrible and life-threatening injury and is bleeding profusely, the first response is not to talk to them about their diet and exercise routine. No, the bleeding has to be stopped first. The poor guy needs an ambulance, not a yoga mat.
Alexander Bulakhov moved to Memphis in July with his wife and young child to begin a new position at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Earlier this month, Alexander, his wife, and child were walking in downtown Memphis when they were approached by a robber, who shot and killed Alexander. Right here on the streets of downtown Memphis.
Memphis is bleeding to death, and it has to stop. If we cannot fix this lawless situation, we will be severely hindered in making any other progress as a city. Abraham Maslow was a 20th century American psychologist who postulated a theory known as "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs." According to Maslow, humans have a variety of needs, with some more basic needs (food, shelter, safety) and advanced, higher needs (belonging, esteem, self-actualization). As long as the basic needs remain unmet, a person cannot move up the hierarchy to achieve the higher-order needs. So, if we as citizens habitually feel unsafe, there is little chance of reaching our potential as a city. We have always known that there are places that are dangerous and threatening circumstances that we should avoid. Now, there is this emerging fear that Memphis is inherently unsafe. Who could blame anyone for feeling this way? Drag-racing is rampant, car-jackings seem to occur daily, car break-ins happen all the time, and on and on. I will not go to a gas station or an ATM machine with my grandchildren in the car. I can do those errands when I am alone.
What is so broken about our criminal justice system that we cannot keep violent offenders locked up? Many of the miscreants committing crimes today have been in trouble for past offenses. What are they doing out on the streets? I recently had a neighbor tell me that she and her husband had been planning to do some major improvements to their home, but now those plans are off because they do not think it wise to invest that type of money in Memphis. And this sentiment is spreading. Fear and uncertainty are the arch-enemies of investment. And as for those root causes of crime? Well if we kiss the tax base goodbye, the resources won't be there for any meaningful efforts to address the more entrenched societal ills.
It is said that if you put a frog in a pot of water and crank up the heat, the frog will not realize what is happening until it is too late, so the frog dies. I think it's getting warm in here.
Life is short. Get busy. And Happy Thanksgiving!
Jim
Email me: jbrinkleytaylor@gmail.com
Copyright 2023 James Brinkley Taylor, Jr.
