I am tired of the weird dynamic among many supporters of criminal justice reform that makes us quiet when things like this happen. Like what? Like a bunch of teenagers and kids, mostly kids of color, getting shot and killed. It’s as if we say anything... nytimes.com/2020/07/27/nyr…
We think we are calling attention to something that will make passing reforms more difficult. Or that we are contributing to the inevitable overreaction by the media. But I don’t buy it. I don’t care to defend the current system. These killings don’t undermine the reforms I seek
I support reforms that I think will make communities safer so this spike in shootings isn’t something we should ignore or downplay. Every murder of a child is horrific. It should spur us to push for workable solutions.
But I sense unease in even admitting crime increases. When crime goes down, we all seem like experts. I see all the “we know what works” tweets. So why go silent when violent crime ticks upward? Let’s let those who administer a system that clears 20-30% of homicides defend that.
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