Interviews with the average (Black American) Joe is a presentation series of questions and answers put to and answered through a characterization of an average American black man in today’s society.

Joe may not be real but the feelings and thoughts of the character express the reality of most black American men striving towards making a better way of life for themselves and their families.

These questions were presented in relation to social, political and personal viewpoints from Joe.

The debate continues on the significance of Black Lives matter VS. All lives matter

Meanwhile back in Chicago: Where's the outrage?

Our interview with the Average Black Joe Continues with Joe’s take on the Violence in Chicago and Black Communities in the U.S.

Another weekend of senseless shootings and killing of our youth in Chicago, yet there are no barrage of folks taking to the streets demanding justice or the stoppage of this genocide in the black community.

Interviewer:

Do violent perpetrators get a free pass when it's blacks killing blacks?

Joe: Well  let's see there are no protest, no national  media converging on a neighborhood (s)  to shed light on the shootings and murders. Nothing is being said that might  turn up the heat on the police. Nothing from the mayor nor the waste land of alderman around here. Excuse me, speaking of Alderman what do they do again?

Nothing as far as anyone can tell but watch the continued destruction of the image of a city and the morale of its people.

This lack of justice whether it be from police brutality to our lives being victimized and snuffed out is what propels the saying “Black Lives Matter”

We know White lives matter the media and politicians never lets us forget it.

White child goes missing, white people murdered or kidnapped over the news.

I’m not saying it should not be but when it’s us, hey I’m just saying the coverage is not the same.  

Chicago’s new slogan: “Welcome to Chicago don't forget to duck”

Interviewer:

Chicago a city famous for its lake, skyline and tourist attractions.

Once touted as the city with big shoulders; now when you hear Chicago it's related with the city of violent crime and murder (Once again).

Joe:

It took Elliot Ness and his field of G-Men to put a stop to Al Capone and the trail of mobsters that ruled and terrorized this city in the 20's.

At least death had a face on it then.

Now it comes in such random fashion the police don't know how to address just how to get control of the situation.

What we here in the black community hear from the top cop is that the police are doing all they can.

It seems every shooting is gang related and that’s code word for it don’t matter just another gang banger or drug dealer dead and that’s B.S.!

INTERVIEWER: Do you really believe the police are not doing everything they can to solve the crimes committed?

Joe: Well I guess we will never know unless they show us the statistics of unsolved crimes in the black communities.

INTERVIEWER: What do you believe has to happen to bring about change in such a violent time in the city?

Joe: It’s not that hard man, respect. Respect that we are a people deserving of an opportunity. Respect from not only the police but the politicians, the media and most importantly respect of one another.

Instead of tearing down our neighborhoods, closing our schools and depleting services.

Hell stop tearing down our hope. Instead, try building up the communities with better equipped schools for our youth.continuing education/  job training opportunities.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/372869/magic-johnson-former-nba-great-contributes-10-million-expand-summer-jobs-program-risk-youth

We could use more transitional skills for youth that are homeless or aging out of state care. More adults who lack technical skills of using a computer could benefit from existing organizations to help train them on simply compiling a resume or setting up their own email account so they have a contact information for prospective employers.

Stop giving us the impression that we are the forgotten people and that we should be feared. This is a country that makes money from war and mayhem. Don't try to act like black folks invented crime. Every race has its crime blotter. There is white on white crime and so on and so on.

Interviewer: What about those who point out that black on black crime should be the major issue here?

Joe: That’s what I’m trying to say. It should be!

I not denying that we black folks as a whole have to do better with working on putting a stop to how we are viewed and more importantly how we view ourselves  in our communities and in our own country. We matter, Black Lives Matter.

It’s about respect and that saying about earning it, Let me enlighten the Bill O'Reilly and Don Lemon’s of the world.

That shit  goes both ways. You can’t treat every black person like a criminal or threat.

Police want to blame the problem of why they have such a hard time finding and charging suspects on the black community not coming forth but at the same time you will have a bunch of cops watching some black male or female get the shit kicked out of them just for asking a question. They stand behind their Blue Code and it crosses all race barriers within the police department. Police are the biggest proponents for snitches get stitches when it comes to protecting themselves.

Do you think that kind of behavior warrants trust and respect from the people it serves?

Interviewer: Well I guess when you look at it that way it makes some sense about the climate of the situation.

Joe: You damn right it does.

Look for more excerpts from our series interview with an Average Black American Joe

Presented By: Larry D. Miller