For the Sake of Michael Brown, We Need Peace. But First, We Need Justice
from the St. Louis American Editorial Board:
For the Sake of Michael Brown
We believe it is because not nearly enough capable people with resources in this region have heeded our pleas that we have reached this crisis point of complete breakdown. We need peace. But first, we need justice.
With deep humility, we admit we did not see this coming, and not where it came—in a ring suburb, rather than in the city—though we can see where it came from.
North St. Louis County and many of its municipalities have suffered decades of economic disinvestment, loss of manufacturing jobs and disruption by highway construction and airport expansion. Those who chose to stay in these ring suburbs, or who had no other options, had to live—or die—with the consequences.
White flight, particularly to St. Charles County, first hit the school districts, then the tax base. Remaining homeowners are heavily taxed in areas with often struggling schools, little industry and dwindling businesses and services. The mortgage bubble really burst in these areas, with rampant home foreclosures. Large retail areas in North County have been abandoned. Small businesses face difficulty establishing a presence due to high prices for retail space and insurance costs. Those who stay charge more, and those who buy from them pay more.
When businesses and retail move, those who remain have to spend their money with establishments elsewhere in the region. That builds up the tax base in other areas, not their own. For those who lack reliable transportation (let alone job skills and education), there are few opportunities to eke out a livelihood locally. There is little escape.
Disillusionment, resentment and tension set in where economic opportunities, recreation and thriving businesses once flourished. The “look at us, we are on our way back” slogans boasted by chambers of commerce say nothing about those who have been treated as invisible or dispensable. . . .
read more: http://www.thenation.com/article/181349/sake-michael-brown
Message for Michael: Family of Michael Brown leave a message on the street where he was gunned down by a Ferguson police officer - photo by Wiley Price
