2008.08.26
Violence: When is enough, enough?
Sometimes, we need the tragedy of death to wake us up.
I never had the pleasure of knowing George Rogers, the 89-year-old Roanoker who was a local institution. He was found dead in his Northwest home last week.
But Rogers was someone I should have known. That was evident from the outpouring of palpable shock, grief and reverence shown him in death.
There's an incorrect presumption that violence is an arm's-length scourge. Who cares? It's just young black men killing other young black men, right?
Wrong. While violence is ravaging some black communities, anyone is a potential victim regardless of race, age or gender.
And when violence spills into our comfort zone, when it touches our contemporaries, people we admire and respect, we take notice.
That's what Rogers' untimely death did for Roanoke.
After Clovis Rogers didn't hear from her ex-husband for several days, she found him lying dead, with a head trauma. Police charged a young man with grand larceny after he reportedly drove past the crime scene in Rogers' car as detectives spoke with family members.
If that young man doesn't know something, he knows people who do. No snitching? Honor among criminals? Puh-lease.
As heart-wrenching as it is, Rogers' death should compel us as a community to take a long, hard look in the mirror. We can turn the other way, or we can take seriously the ravages of violence moving stealthily among us. A first step to reverse it is to get engaged early in young lives on the wrong trajectory.
Such action is not without precedent.
A few years ago, several women across the city died at the hands of men who were supposed to love them.
But one of them, the 2005 shooting death of registered nurse Sabrina Reed, pushed Roanokers to their breaking point. Her death at the hands of an estranged husband jolted the community.
The initiative prompted the city to hire a domestic violence specialist, and Total Action Against Poverty joined the city six months ago to open a child drop-off center for abuse victims.
Just as Reed's death quickened Roanokers to action, Rogers' death should do the same. Rogers used his generosity and good will to touch lives in his work with the railroad and U.S. Postal Service and as a volunteer.
When you live as long and full a life as Rogers, whenever your time comes, you've earned the right to die peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
Not alone, at the hands of merciless thugs.
This is one of the most egregious murders the Roanoke Valley has seen. A person who would do this to a poor old 89 year old man is not human. Even an animal wouldn't do this. I hope some of his family or responsible people in the neighborhood are able to catch the THING before the cops do and take care of it themselves, because if they don't all that will happen is some scumbag lawyer will make money off of it.
Comment by Percy Kution — August 26, 2008 @ 8:30 am
Percy: My friend, most of your post makes good sense, but how is some "scumbag" lawyer supposed to make money from the death of a poor old man? Besides, I can assure you that at least a few lawyers are not "scumbags". LOL.
Comment by Mike — August 27, 2008 @ 3:21 am
I believe she did the only what so many people want to do as victims of crime, yet when you play with fire or an acelrant you may get burned. When I read a headline of a child beaten to death for soiling herself and the killer is the father of the child. And he is out of jail on bond for Second Degree Murder, my response is what the heck is the judge, the mother, the family thinking??!!!
Did George have to die a senseless death NO!! But I will say this when his murderer is apprehended I bet he will have a criminal record including..
"Assault with a deadly weapon" and should never been back in society. Whom do we thank for this Tim Kaine for his early release program. The Judge for not sentencing him harsher time, The Lawyer for doing his job, or Joe Public for not letting our voice be heard during conviction time or election time to stiffen those present laws.
Comment by Backlash — August 27, 2008 @ 7:41 pm
Mr. Mike: What I meant by a "scumbag lawyer making money from it" is this. He will HAVE to have a lawyer. It's the law. Even if they arrest someone who insists on "representing himself" the court will appoint some lawyer as "advisor" even if the perp refuses to speak to them. Since the lawyer is "appointed", TAXPAYER money will pay his fee. And IF by some chance the perp or his Mama can afford a lawyer, that lawyer will get THOUSANDS to defend him. I ask you to look at the case in Radford going on right now, that went to the jury this afternoon (Wed). The man being tried had already killed TWO in WVa BEFORE this one in Radford. Now check this, Mr. Mike, please: This man has FIVE, that's right FIVE lawyers representing him!!! He was supposedly BROKE when they arrested him. And if you will check this out, look at the lawyers he has "hired". The HIGHEST fees in the New River Valley. WHERE did the money come from to hire FIVE lawyers? THAT is what I meant by "scumbag lawyers" making money from Mr. Rogers murder. Thank you for your other kind words regarding my posts.
Comment by Percy Kution — August 27, 2008 @ 9:00 pm
Crime is a community problem and how we deal with it, just two months ago an elderly woman in Texas was being car jacked for her vehicle at a service station. With no one to help her she sprayed the assailant with gasoline from the hose and posed with a Bic lighter order him from her car.
Comment by Backlash — August 27, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
12 & 14 Year-Old Boys Charged in Home Invasion, One of the boys told investigators they got the idea from watching TV and movies.
MARION, AR – Police say two boys, ages 12 and 14, have been charged in an Arkansas home invasion.
According to a police report, the boys knocked on the door of a home in the Bayou Vista Subdivision and asked if they could do some yard work. Investigators say two children answered the door at the home. The boys then pulled a B.B. Gun and forced the children to their knees while holding the gun to their heads, said police.
Investigators say the boys were in the home for about 15 minutes and one of them even recorded it on his cell phone. One of the boys told investigators they got the idea from watching TV and movies.
Both boys have been charged with two counts each of aggravated robbery. If convicted, both could be in jail until they are 21 year-old.
They learned it from television, When the TV becomes the "Parent" nothing good will come of it.
Comment by Backlash — September 12, 2008 @ 8:31 am