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To Stop Violence in Chicago's Struggling Black Communities, Chicago Community Trust Says,
Let "em" Eat Hot Dogs!
In a recent conversation I had about reducing violence in Chicago with Terry Mazany, President and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, Mazany
told me, "You have a great plan! In fact we are doing your plan! I've been following your e-blasts. We have adopted it and we will fund it by offering mini-peace grants to organizations in the communities you are targeting."
I told Mr. Mazany that is not the whole plan. In fact, our e-blasts represented only a minor, fringe element of the plan. I explained to him that to stop the escalating violence in these communities, a comprehensive, intelligent, coordinated, well-thought out, mid- and long-term, community-driven, action plan is a must. He told me that he is giving away hot dogs!
Mr. Mazany told me, "Our researcher Zaid told us that kind of Command and Control stuff doesn't work. We are putting our money directly into the communities so that they can give away hot dogs, or anything else they want to do. We rushed together a 1-page RFP and they can fill it out and we will get them the money in a week."
Do Mr. Mazany and Mr. Zaid know "that kind of Command and Control stuff" is how armies work, how police departments work, how every city department works, how every state department works, how every company works, how non-profits work, how foundations work? Apparently these gentlemen don't want struggling Black communities to have the benefit of infrastructure, analytics, logistics, coordination and management support that success requires.
A plan to give away hot dogs to stop violence in Black communities at best is patronizing, insensitive and foolish, and at worst reinforces institutional and structural racism. If Lincoln Park or the Gold Coast had asked for a plan to reduce violence, do you think Mr. Mazany would have suggested hot dogs? Apparently, the Chicago Community Trust has money to burn! I hope that it is not your money!
Please call President Mazany at 312.616.8000 and tell him what you think about his plan to give away hot dogs to stop violence in Chicago's struggling Black communities.
Sincerely,
Phillip Jackson
The Black Star Project
773.285.9600
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