re: I Weep For What My Hometown of Shreveport Has Become

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Well setting aside the fact that several posters dispute the spike in Shreveport crime is the point that no one ever follows up these discussions about black crime rates with another discussion about a legitimate solution. I wonder why that is? Is it possible that it’s really just the billionth or so version of “black people are violent thugs” posts we see here every other day? Or perhaps you’re just waiting to bring up part two where posters have a conversation about the root of the problem and how to solve it. That’s probably what it is. There’s no chance this is just another opportunity for poli-posters to join hands and sing “black people suck”.

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I hear you, but let me be honest. Solutions are hard. If there was an easy solution to the problem, then some ambitious politician would've implemented the solution by now and used it as a springboard for a presidential bid. I would be fine with us having that discussion, though.

I'm glad you spoke up, and I appreciate your honesty. If it's any consolation, I know the feeling. I don't watch CNN, but I catch snippets on television. I've seen Don Lemon refer to white males as the primary terrorists on the planet, and guess what? I didn't like it. So, I won't say that I don't know where you're coming from.

But, that wasn't my motivation. I don't get to Shreveport too often, and I'm honestly appalled by what I see on these local news reports. I don't dodge questions or comments, so I just looked up some information regarding Shreveport crime statistics. Yes, the crime rate did go down for several years. Unfortunately, the murder rate spiked upwards for 2017, and was higher than ever in 2018. So, a bit of a mixed bag there.

Frankly, I wish we could have honest discussions about somewhat sensitive subjects here. For example, and you may not like this, but it is my contention that the reason race relations have deteriorated so badly is because Obama race-baited every situation he could get his hands on. From the Cambridge Police matter to Trayvon Martin to Ferguson to Baltimore. Imo, if only Obama had stressed that there was less racism and more opportunity for everybody than ever before, we would be living in a much different and better America than what we have now. Unfortunately, I don't think Obama had any interest in doing that, though. And like I said, I wouldn't mind discussing it. It wouldn't get anywhere on here, though. Or, maybe it would.

Again, I appreciate your honesty. I do feel like I have some legitimate concerns about where my hometown is trending, though.

Shreveport was far more violent in the late 80s and early 90s.

Anyone remember when The Shreveport Times was a full fledged paper, and on Sundays had about 20pages in the A section with three pages of editorials? It had a B section for local lifestyles with about 12pages, a C section for sports that was usually about 8-10 pages, and finally, a D section with classified ads and help wanted ads, as well as obits.

Now, there's not enough there to wrap a decent bass in.

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My Dad lives a couple of miles from Northwood High School. Very close to the golf course. That area is terrific, of course, but we watch the Shreveport TV channels.

We didn't always live there, though. From the ages of 5-13, I grew up in the Southwood area off of Walker Rd.
Guaranteed that we know each other IRL

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Same.

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Anyone remember when The Shreveport Times was a full fledged paper,

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I remember. I used to love to read Tell the Times. People called in with pretty funny stuff sometimes. I also remember the Journal.

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Anyone remember when The Shreveport Times and the Shreveport Journal. were a full fledged paper,

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fify



Guess I'm the only Byrd person here. Looks like everyone else lived out in the cotton fields.

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Again, I appreciate your honesty. I do feel like I have some legitimate concerns about where my hometown is trending, though.

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I apologize for assuming you were operating in bad faith and making careless implications. That was unfair. You certainly sound earnest about seeking solutions. I don’t necessarily have any that don’t include a spiritual element. It would also help if people would hear each other out and not react emotionally. (If you’re paying close attention that’s me eating crow.)

I don’t really know about the Obama angle. I think for the most part he was a condescending prick who only saw his position on such topics, or any issues for that matter.

On a somewhat related note, we might also talk about the motto of every local newscast ever, “if it bleeds it leads”. The constant drone of every bad event that goes down is tiresome and unhelpful.

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Looks like everyone else lived out in the cotton fields.

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(Raises hand)

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If you look at the actual numbers, ignore the hyperbole and low-info local journalism, you'd see that the overall trend in te last 20 years is down over 40%.

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Those numbers are cooked, brother. Murders become suicides and property crimes are misclassified.

Just look at the Dallas district attorney taking cooking the books to another level by complete non-prosecution (in other words, it won't show up as any kind of crime, much less an arrest).

What's your solution?