Two days ago in downtown Cedar Rapids a diverse group gathered to discuss what could be done about recent upticks in crime, especially violent crime that appears to be perpetrated by juveniles. As in many meetings and discussions of this sort, the topics of absent fathers and single mothers were persistent concerns.
Today, on the opinion page of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the editorial board gives a brief outline of the problem and their choices as to the most important action items developed by the speakers. The Gazette editors are keenly aware -- as are most area residents -- that such discussions need to be balanced. To that end, the editorial makes specific note of the race of panel participants, bluntly alerting readers to the fact that there were "four white and three black members."
But, while the editorial board goes out of its way to show that balance, it fully ignores the gender inequality of the panel -- even while making note that "teens having babies, fathers not stepping up and parents without good parenting skills are at the heart of the crime issue." It is further opined that "more positive adult role models in many youngsters' lives are sorely needed."
The seven-member panel, which the Gazette did not play a role in selecting, was comprised of six men and only one woman.
If we are to believe that poor parenting or, in particular, poor single-parenting is a large contributor to the crime problem in the greater Cedar Rapids area, then why wouldn't any discussion about curbing the violence include more women's voices?
As a community, we should have no qualms highlighting our challenges. It is through that process that we learn how to address the problems we face and, hopefully, prevent future concerns from ever becoming a reality. But, if we identify an issue -- for instance, the majority of households in higher crime areas of the community being run by single women -- we will never find resolution if we refuse or ignore primary stakeholders.
"This is not a police solution," said Greg Graham, police chief in Cedar Rapids, during the discussion on April 14. "We are a resource. We are not a solution. The community will come up with a solution and everyone has to hold each other accountable."
Those solutions the community seeks cannot be found in board rooms any more than they can be found in the police station. Those solutions lie with the neighborhood women that everyone seems to be more than willing to stain with blame, but less than willing to approach and include.
Gazette staff and those at the meeting have called for all aspects of the community -- faith, commerce, education and residential -- to come together and build solutions. It's a noble pursuit that will no doubt lead to more evening meetings, more panel discussions and various neighborhood coalitions. With any luck, there might even be some successes to report along the way.
Yet how many single mothers, already stretched thin from wearing several different hats, are actually going to provide their voices to this discussion? How many women couldn't or didn't attend this first meeting because there was no child care provided? Sometimes it's those little considerations that lead to long-term solutions.
Today, on the opinion page of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the editorial board gives a brief outline of the problem and their choices as to the most important action items developed by the speakers. The Gazette editors are keenly aware -- as are most area residents -- that such discussions need to be balanced. To that end, the editorial makes specific note of the race of panel participants, bluntly alerting readers to the fact that there were "four white and three black members."
But, while the editorial board goes out of its way to show that balance, it fully ignores the gender inequality of the panel -- even while making note that "teens having babies, fathers not stepping up and parents without good parenting skills are at the heart of the crime issue." It is further opined that "more positive adult role models in many youngsters' lives are sorely needed."
The seven-member panel, which the Gazette did not play a role in selecting, was comprised of six men and only one woman.
If we are to believe that poor parenting or, in particular, poor single-parenting is a large contributor to the crime problem in the greater Cedar Rapids area, then why wouldn't any discussion about curbing the violence include more women's voices?
As a community, we should have no qualms highlighting our challenges. It is through that process that we learn how to address the problems we face and, hopefully, prevent future concerns from ever becoming a reality. But, if we identify an issue -- for instance, the majority of households in higher crime areas of the community being run by single women -- we will never find resolution if we refuse or ignore primary stakeholders.
"This is not a police solution," said Greg Graham, police chief in Cedar Rapids, during the discussion on April 14. "We are a resource. We are not a solution. The community will come up with a solution and everyone has to hold each other accountable."
Those solutions the community seeks cannot be found in board rooms any more than they can be found in the police station. Those solutions lie with the neighborhood women that everyone seems to be more than willing to stain with blame, but less than willing to approach and include.
Gazette staff and those at the meeting have called for all aspects of the community -- faith, commerce, education and residential -- to come together and build solutions. It's a noble pursuit that will no doubt lead to more evening meetings, more panel discussions and various neighborhood coalitions. With any luck, there might even be some successes to report along the way.
Yet how many single mothers, already stretched thin from wearing several different hats, are actually going to provide their voices to this discussion? How many women couldn't or didn't attend this first meeting because there was no child care provided? Sometimes it's those little considerations that lead to long-term solutions.
