No Justice, No Peace!

No guns, no chance to stop the shootings!

The first of the "10,000 Men" step out for some "field training."

With enthusiasm that belied their numbers, the first 100 men committed to encouraging thousands of African Americans to become community activists took to the street yesterday in a "field training" exercise.

Components of the "field training" include, but are not limited to the following:

• Accepting your utter futility like a man.
• Dodging bullets, buck shot, and evil eyes from the public.
• How to run away from a crime scene, screaming like a girl.
• How to police the streets without a gun, badge, or ballistic vest.

On a sunny, brisk day, the initial public patrols of "10,000 Men: A Call to Action" set out from the Vare Recreation Center at 26th and Morris Streets to canvass about 16 blocks of South Philadelphia and Point Breeze.

Many volunteers expressed dismay that their membership couldn't get them free coffee and donuts like the "real police."

Trained to be polite and non-confrontational, the men walked the neighborhoods and distributed printed door-hangers introducing the outfit, which was organized in reaction to a violent crime wave that has affected black neighborhoods more than most.

And really, isn't that the key to stopping the violence in Philadelphia; kindness and understanding? Hell, if the department practiced that, I'm sure our homicide number would only be at, say, 361, instead of 364!

"There won't be conflict," said Anthony Murphy, one of the leaders of the organization's field operations. "We're going to be friendly black men. It's important." (H/T - The Philadelphia Inquirer)

"We're going to be friendly black men." Sweet! Does that mean they're all going to be like Wayne Brady?

I truly wish these men luck. They're going to need it. But mark my words; before their first month is up, at least one of these men will be victims of the violence they are so desperately trying to suppress. Count on it.