JOHN PERKINS
An end to the Covid pandemic, the local shooting death epidemic and all the children singing in perfect harmony, judged only by the content of their character. Easy, but we do not have a magic wand here. We do have some special gifts, talents if you will, that can be turned into miracles in 2021 if we want.
We have a local business roundtable here in the fourth largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in Louisiana. That really says something right there. They are raising money amongst themselves to the tune of $100,000 for an advertising campaign in 2021.
That is going to be a real boon to the local media industry, but what if they donated that money to a local group that is aligned with their mission, “to maintain active interests in regional economic development, education and community relations”? With $100,000 they could create part-time jobs for “seasoned citizens” to tutor at-risk children in failing schools to read and do grade school math. What if some of those business leaders did some of the tutoring, too, and made lifelong connections with the students?
One local businessman has $1 million to light up the O.K. Allen bridge downtown; he will even get his name on a plaque. Awesome win/win. But what if we had an extra million dollars for Shreveport? I would invest in our children here that are growing up and shooting each other before they get old enough to know better. Shreveport has a nationally recognized program, Community Renewal International, that is now being replicated in other states and even overseas.
We know the program is successful here. Have you seen the map of gun injuries and deaths in Shreveport? The gun injuries and deaths do not happen in neighborhoods with a Friendship House. A study a few years ago indicated that we need 70 Friendship Houses to move into neighborhoods and improve the lives of children and families with their education programs and leadership training. We have only 10 right now.
What if our local business community raised $1.1 million to boost educational outcomes and provide services in our weakest neighborhoods? We would have more teenagers in colleges and off the bloody streets of Shreveport. Why don’t we do this now?
One more wish for Shreveport. Educated young citizens empowered to do great things in Shreveport is a great goal, but it will take maybe 10 years to see results. That is a long time in Shreveport years. After all, isn’t Shreveport about 10 years behind the more developed cities? What can we do now while we wait for the local business confederacies to lead us out of this mess?
There is a local architect and sculptor who is working on a vision to create a linear sculpture garden along the Fant Parkway. Large pieces created by regional sculptors that could be sold with a percentage held back for maintenance. Make Shreveport better, not bigger. Happy New Year. PerkWrites@gmail.com
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE December 30 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.