By Patrick Hauf
On Monday, author and political commentator Dr. Marc Lamont Hill gave a speech on the injustices in America. The audience in the Reilly Center could feel the passion in Hill’s voice.
Exclude the politics, and it is clear that Hill is a very talented speaker who has done extensive research on the history of oppression in our country. Politically, some of the views that Hill expressed are very important, while others are simply misunderstood or ignored.
Hill emphasized the importance of community, a core Franciscan value. He said in order to improve the relationship between police officers and African-Americans, there must be a stronger sense of community. Hill encouraged the crowd to make a difference in their communities by expressing their outrage toward injustice.
I would add that if fortunate communities dedicate themselves to service, the country will be a far better place. Simple acts of service can make a huge difference. I wish Hill would have focused more on this aspect of community.
Another important issue that Hill stressed was America’s broken criminal justice system. As Hill noted, there are too many non-violent criminals in prison. Many drug addicts are in prison when they should be getting treatment. Others are in prison because they cannot afford to pay their bail.
Hill and I may not completely agree on how exactly prison and police policy reforms should take place, but we can both agree that there should be some sort of reform to the failing systems. Hill and I blatantly disagree on the role of the government. Hill wants the government to fix the problems in inner cities, but in reality, the government is the problem.
We can all agree that the inner cities are the least desirable places in our country. Poverty, murder and poor education makes it increasingly difficult for people to succeed.
Here’s the issue with Hill’s ideas; if government is the solution, then why are the inner cities failing? The inner cities have some of the biggest governments in the country. Democrats have been running the overwhelming majority of cities for decades.
Hill needs to wake up and realize that big government has failed the inner cities. The abundance of regulations and taxes are like weights on the back of the black community, making it incredibly difficult for them to climb the ladder of success. To improve the inner cities, the government must allow the free market to boost the economy, lifting people out of poverty by giving them more control over their life. Power to the people, not the government.
Hill also fails to focus on the broken African-American family. Too many black children grow up without a father.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 37 percent of black families without a father live in poverty. In comparison, only 8 percent of black families with married parents live in poverty.
As Americans, we must preach family values. Let’s teach our communities to respect women, value loyalty and vanquish the “hit and quit” mentality that destroys God’s intention for sex.
I encourage my fellow students to respectfully challenge those they disagree with. The more respectful dialogue our country engages in, the intellectually stronger we become.
I would love to thank Hill for his passionate speech and willingness to engage with the students. My discussion with him on abortion was good for the both of us. I wish him the best in his already successful career.
Our country may be broken, but as a community, we can fix it though criminal justice reform, free market opportunities and family values.
haufpj17@bonaventure.edu
