Archives » Wednesday, April 01, 2009
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Kurt Soller
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Apr 1, 2009 11:20 AM
Over the weekend, three people were shot dead in Compton. The event comes at a peculiar time for NEWSWEEK, and especially for Jessica Bennett, who put together a forward-looking package
on Compton last week. "Two decades later, Compton has a new lease on
life," she wrote. "The community is still poor, and unemployment is
more than twice the national average. But the number of homicides is at
a 25-year low, slashed in half from 2005."
Three homicides might not change that, but it did remind many NEWSWEEK
readers that Compton's still in need of change. "Three people were
maliciously gunned down and all you say is that 'Compton got it's
groove back'?," asked one reader, before adding: "It's irresponsible
"writers" like you who have no idea what you are writing about. You
sneak in during the day, see a few retail outlets, built on the
outskirts of a ghetto and basically lied." Other readers from the area
agreed, noting that the appreciate the positive outlook on the
community, but feel the city still has a lot of work ahead. "Compton
has made great strides from the shadows where it once was," wrote
commenter ag.primed. "The sad truth, though, is that it won't last. Not
to be a naysayer about the ability of the citizens to change; it is the
leaders of the city who will erase Compton's successes." Another reader
noticed that, "Very, very little has changed. There are some changes,
but they are largely cosmetic. However, there are still gunshots EVERY
SINGLE NIGHT."
Jessica's piece was tenured largely on crime stats, which make it clear
that Compton is trading its past for a new image. Even prior to this
weekend's tragedy, that message hit home with many readers, who
appreciated the positive message behind the article. "These comments
are really sad," wrote one reader. "I've lived in Compton my entire
life and no one has pulled a gun on me. I've never been on welfare and
I have plenty of Black and Mexican friends who are hardworking and
educated. The solution is not to desert Compton, but to improve it."
Commenter rjorgy agreed, adding that Jessica's article should be seen
as inspiring. "It is really good to hear that the murder rate has
dropped so significantly. Give the city some credit where credit is
due."
As the original story mentions, it will take time -- and new programs
-- for Compton to become a renewed city. After the piece was live, the
author heard from one of her sources, Albert Camarillo, a professor at
Stanford University who grew up in Compton. Here's what he said:
"Compton became known in the media as the 'murder capital' of the
nation, a reputation as a ghetto of gangs, drugs and violence. They are
pushing back, albeit not without tension, conflict, and
misunderstanding among themselves. But these tensions exist alongside
efforts to bring residents together, and this is the important story
about the city that must be told."
So, while a triple murder is a tragic afterword, it doesn't erase the
successes that Compton has had. As Jessica told me earlier this week:
"By all accounts, Compton has suffered a volatile past. As I wrote in
the piece, gang life is still a right of passage for many young people
here, and last weekend's triple-homicide is a painful reminder that
violence is still very much a part of daily life. But there are
many,many people who are working tirelessly to turn Compton around, and
I do believe we're beginning to see the trickle-down effect of that
effort. Remaking a city isn't easy; But there is hope in Compton, and
you don't have to go far into the community to see it."
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