Mayor Williams, wife offer honest appraisal to blacks

Within a day of each other, Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and his wife, Sonja, spoke directly to the black community about the crime epidemic that has gripped the city for so many years.

That in itself is worthy of editorial comment. It’s the first time in memory that the spouse of the individual elected by the people has spoken out publicly on an issue that is literally sucking the life out of Youngstown. It shows a level of commitment on the part of Sonja Williams that is refreshing and necessary.

But there’s an even greater reason to applaud what the mayor and his wife had to say to the black community — he, in an interview with a Vindicator reporter, she, in a speech at Youngstown State University: As blacks in positions of prominence, they’re drawing attention to their community, which, unfortunately, is defined by many non-blacks by the level of violence in that community.

It has cast such a large shadow over Youngstown that there can be no discussion about the city’s future without an acknowledgment of its destructive nature, especially among young black men.

This year’s homicide rate, while not the highest, is high enough to again put Youngstown on the national list of most dangerous cities.

In his comments to The Vindicator, the mayor acknowledged that it’s time for him to have a heart-to-heart with the black community. He wants to deliver an anti-violence message, and to talk about the various factors that have contributed to the lawlessness.

The breakdown of the family has exacerbated the crime problem, the mayor said.

Prevention strategy

As part of his tough-talk campaign — he is taking his lead from comedian and activist Bill Cosby, who has railed against the culture embraced by young blacks — Williams wants to host a program called CeaseFire, a national violence prevention strategy that involves the entire community.

He would also like to invite Cosby to appear at a public event at the Chevrolet Centre.

“I can’t see this go on,” Williams said of blacks who pursue material gain and do not value life. “They’ve got to hear it from me or Cosby or whoever, but they’ve got to hear it.”

Sonja Williams obviously agrees, given her comments during the annual Jabali African Cultural Celebration at YSU.

Addressing about 90 people, she said, “It is time for us to take full responsibility” for the violence occurring in the black community.

As coordinator of the Upward Bound program, she has seen what can happen when students interested in attending college but lacking the educational background to be successful are given the guidance, assistance and attention necessary to help them achieve their goals.

Mrs. Williams said that people are allowing the actions of a younger generation to overshadow the efforts of those who died so blacks could vote and be free. “We must not quit,” she said of her husband’s campaign to stop the seemingly unending cycle of violence.

Having two, prominent black professionals speak out forthrightly and passionately about the cancer that has spread through their community is worthy of praise from citizens of every color.