We must do our part to protect ourselves

As published in the Chicago Sun-Times by William J. Booker 3/19/20 

We can't allow differing political views to keep us from following guidelines for defeating coronavirus

For all the fear and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, it has given

Americans pause to reflect on life, and how they plan to survive during this difficult and
potentially life-threatening time.

The irony is that many of the social ills that separate us as individuals — and as communities — suddenly now confine us all as human beings, as more of us become infected.

"As social distancing becomes the new normal, it doesn’t matter how wealthy or famous you are.

We must do our part to protect ourselves. The risk of catching the virus could be three times higher than the flu. There is no amount of money anyone can throw at this global pandemic to stop it. We must do our part to protect ourselves and ensure that no one else dies or get sick. At a time of social distancing, it is vital that we find new and creative ways to focus our energy.

President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency, but he has also
made it clear that true leadership, in his eyes, means not taking responsibility for any
decisions he may or may not make in the weeks ahead.

In any event, we can’t allow our political views or differences to keep us from following the strict guidelines and instructions given to us by the Centers for Disease Control and state health departments. For updated information on the coronavirus visit www.cdc.gov.  

A Better Place

As published in Crain Chicago's Business by William J. Booker 3/6/20  

There are too many guns on the streets, too many cases of senseless violence and too many innocent young people dying. The violence and crime in Chicago has gotten out of hand. Our communities aren't safe anymore, and young people have lost their way. It would seem that most young men in the inner city have given up on trying to do anything positive with their lives.

Quite frankly, they want what they see on television: quick cash, promiscuous women, cars and drugs. It's the American Dream for a generation of kids living in poverty with no future to think of, nothing seems to matter anymore.

Mayor Lightfoot's recent anti-poverty summit was a great first step in opening discussions about helping impoverished neighborhoods and Chicago's youth by putting badly needed resources in neighbors on the South and West side.

"Her new Invest South/West program will hopefully breathe new life in many of the neglected & distressed neighborhoods like Englewood where I grew up."

If communities fail to meet the needs of the people who live in them--we all fail. Chicagoans can not afford to close their eyes to what's not happening in their neighborhood because the reality is crime is getting worse and is taking place all over the city. Our neighbors aren't safe anymore, and there are too many innocent people dying to senseless violence.

To deter crime people need employment opportunities that support a living wage, and programs that help them improve their daily lives. We also need better schools. People don't won't handouts. What they need is simply a hand up. It’s time to stop blaming the poor for being poor. Thankfully, the mayor is committed to delivering on her plan of economic equity for impoverished neighborhoods, and support for families trapped in a generation of poverty. It’s time we work together to make Chicago a better place to live for everyone.