When Quaint Communities Don't Speak Up

When they say Canarsie is a “quiet” and “quaint” “family-oriented” community, I truly believe them. Who's “them”? Politicians, civic leaders and residents who have lived here for decades. I'm not going to disagree with “them” but if this community is “family-oriented” and “quaint,” why isn't anyone coming out to stand against the incidents that victimize our residents? Seems like we're more quiet than anything!

The day the police released a sketch of the Canarsie rapist, I expected activists and residents to be out on the streets stapling copies of the drawing to utility poles, storefronts and light poles. I expected a group of women to reach out to the media and say, “We're not going to be victimized in our community!!” I expected someone – maybe a young woman who lives on Rockaway Parkway – to start a movement. 

Shhhhhhhh!

Alas, we remained a “quiet” and “quaint” community that stays indoors and doesn't demand justice!

Where are the mothers, daughters, grandmothers and other women who have to walk the streets at night when they're coming home from work or school – or maybe a social function? 

Where is there a group of women with the mentality, strength and anger to get together and march through the streets to let this cowardly attacker know that we're waiting for him to be caught?

Which politicians out there will spearhead a protest or press conference that will lead to women in our community taking a stand for themselves? We should be seeing hundreds of women marching up and down Rockaway Parkway with signs that say, “We want our safety back!”…“We're not afraid of our streets!” and “Get this thug out of our community!”

With all of the female activists and leaders in our community, are ANY of them planning on coordinating a massive event – even if the perpetrator is caught – that will educate women and empower those who are simply looking to make it home safely no matter what time of day or night it is?

Let's get real!! If all we're going to do is sit back and let the cops put a couple of bright lights and a command center at the crime scene, it's not doing much more than telling the rapist that if he plans on striking again, he'd better go elsewhere in Canarsie since authorities possibly know his travel pattern.

I don't think it's enough to advise women to pay attention while they're on the streets. It's not enough to tell a girl to take her headphones off and be vigilant of who's walking around. A woman can be approached by a man she's lived next door to for HER ENTIRE LIFE and never suspect that he plans on raping her that one time she communicates with him.

On another note – why aren't male civic leaders coming out and talking to the men in our community!!! Spread the word to male residents that talking to a woman who is walking alone in the middle of the night WILL eventually land them in jail. Someone has to talk to the criminal minds out there and set them straight. Someone needs to tell these thugs to leave women alone and have RESPECT for a young lady – no matter if she ignores them or rejects them. Women do not deserve to be harassed – why don't men understand that? If they're mentally disturbed, women need to have the tools to combat these dangerous goons. If we're approached by a psycho – what do we do? What steps do we take to ensure ourselves that we can walk away without becoming a victim?

Alas...We remain a “quiet” and “quaint” community with no protests and minimal finger-wagging from politicians when it comes to speaking out against heinous and violent acts. I'm guessing no one is truly upset about what's going on in our community?

There are plenty of communities that sponsor marches and include the involvement of quality-of-life organizations. If we've got an intoxicated driver who kills a child, where's Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)? Are we getting all of these organizations involved in making our community safer? How many organizations out there advocate for women's safety and rights? Can't we (whoever 'we' are) get them involved? Can't we have a non-profit sponsor a self-defense course for the community at a local event? Plenty of women need support and education from sources that specialize in educating the public on all different dangerous situations.

When will it be our community's turn to speak up and make a fuss?

That's right, we're a “quiet” and “quaint” community...