Soul of city is at stake

Who will raise the hue and cry? Rex Nelson, in his column “Capital city crisis,” is one valiant voice.

It is tragic the reputation of the great city of Little Rock continues to be defamed, justifiably, because of naked violence, now commonplace. The problem the city faces is not new, reaching national proportions 23 years ago with an HBO special, Gang War: Bangin’ in Little Rock. So is that cancer in remission? No—it has metastasized.

What’s the solution? There is an answer somewhere, but who among us will have the resolve to see it achieved? The city fathers appear bewildered and therefore inept but, in their defense, I see no groundswell from our citizens—inexplicably, we seem just to accept status quo.

Sixty years later, vestiges of negative economic consequences still persist from the school events of 1957. Now we are engaged in a new, somewhat analogous reality with even more negative potential, and it’s called rampant crime. Driving around this beautiful city, it is hard to come to terms with the realization of the rot within when she presents such a beautiful face.

Wake up, city fathers, do something meaningful; the corrective steps are out there—somewhere. Rudy Giuliani turned New York City crime around. Can’t we also? Maybe an ad hoc committee could be productive. It is beyond imperative that measures be taken.

So, citizens—be heard. Do something. Demand. Raise the hue and cry. Find an answer soon—the soul of our city is in the balance.

JAMES H. BARRÉ

Little Rock