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Guest Opinion | Pablo Alvarado: In Pasadena, We Must Have Unity in Order to Have Peace and Justice

Published on Thursday, September 22, 2016 | 9:40 pm
 

During these turbulent and polarizing times, our communities should be united, not divided, when it comes to public safety. From the violence in the streets, to the violence on our screens, and to the violence in our political discourse, we seem to be stuck in a vicious cycle where fear is leading to intolerance and more violence. As individuals, we might feel powerless when it comes to changing national politics, but in our communities, we can come together to bridge widening divides.

When killings, shootings, or burglaries occur, neighborhoods are left in shock with residents wondering whether their own safety is at risk. My own house has been burglarized twice, shootings have taken place in my neighborhood, and there have been moments when I can’t let my kids play outside because it isn’t safe. But succumbing to fear only leads to false solutions, it heightens tensions among neighbors, and widens the gulf of distrust between agencies in charge of public safety and the communities they serve.

At long last, our country is questioning the reach of its criminal justice system. The movement for black lives and other police reform efforts have exposed the incoherencies and indignities of law enforcement and the institutionally racist administration of the criminal justice system. In addition, the criminalization of black and brown youth, mass incarceration, mass deportation, and denial of jobs to those impacted by criminal justice are all at the forefront of the national conversation.

Even as the problem is now coming into focus, solutions elude us. But when it comes to the issue of violence in our communities, we must make sure that our responses do not perpetuate injustices that have led to these problems in the first place. When we are afraid and vulnerable, it is easier to conclude that more police officers are needed and that we need to band together against the bad guys. But when “us vs them” rhetoric takes over, all the historic deep seeded divisions harden. And instead of arriving at solutions, tensions rise. And conflict escalates as a result.

When acts of violence occur in our communities, we must all take responsibility and play a role to bring unity and peace while advancing justice, equality, and transparency. Furthermore, we must foster a culture of compassion and give formerly incarcerated folks an opportunity to reinsert into society by offering rehab programs, job skills training, and well-paid jobs with good working conditions.

While law enforcement are first responders who put their lives on the line, for many members of the community, particularly people of color and the poor, they are not always seen as arbiters of public safety. Racist policies and discriminatory practices have disproportionately targeted and impacted African Americans and Latinos. This is a fact. We all know it.

Community safety must always be a priority for everyone, and it should be an issue that unites us. Police aren’t separate from the community: they are part of the community. And while police have an undeniably difficult jobs with constant scrutiny, they must be treated like any other public institution. We must embrace mutual responsibility for our community, but we also must be able to identify and address legitimate concerns when they arise. And it is our responsibility as tax payers to keep public institutions transparent and ensure that there are at least basic mechanisms for oversight.

Heated national debate should not be allowed to infect our communities. Pundits and politicians might exploit tragedy and profit from division. But we can defend our communities by coming together to recognize our shared fears and our shared aspirations. We can no longer afford to sit on our couches and expect others to solve our problems.

In Pasadena, we want to take a small step forward with a special concert that brings unity to the community. Music has always been a cure for violence. It brings people together and serves to inspire conversation. That is why we are convening the first Pasadena Peace & Unity festival with artists and musicians from the area in order to create a neighborhood where we can all listen to music together, and hear and share with each other. We will come together for a day to promote community inclusion and participation. After all, music heals what hatred pollutes.

 

 

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