THE WEEKENDER by Clyde Black: Shop and Distributive Education
“Shop and Distributive Education”
For about 17 years I’ve been writing The Weekender. I’m amazed that people still stop me and comment about one column or another. By now you have come to know that I’m just an old wannabe and has been. You have figured out that I’m a tormented man. My mind won’t give me a break. I worry way to much about my community and country. Recently, the greatest turmoil has been concern about our fractured society and all the accusations and general acceptance of the media, community organizers and liberals in general that there are horrible problems within the Criminal Justice System.
Most folks, including CJ college professors profess that there are generally 3 parts to the CJ system. That being the lawmakers (legislators), enforcement (police and prosecutors), the judiciary and the prison system. In Texas the prison system think they are the system because they call themselves the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Since being in the system since 1970, I’ve been involved in almost every aspect of the CJ system and submit to you that there are at least 3 more parts of the system. The general public, the compliant public and the non-compliant public.
It’s that last part of the system that creates 80 percent of the problems and costs. Every year millions of dollars are spent training and educating the police and judiciary. Generally, the training is repetitive, boring and a waste of time. Frankly folks, the legislators take the path of least resistance and yield to the 80% of non-compliant public because they are not smart enough or tough enough to tackle the real problems of the inner cities because that is where that 20 percent, for the most part, reside. This may sound unusual coming from a conservative; let’s take most of the money dedicated to CJ and spend it in the 20 percent communities. Does anyone remember the old “shop” classes or Distributive Education? I don’t think most of the 20% would go to college even if it was free. They need hope and an alternative to a life dedicated to the gang families.
Trade schools in the inner city would provide the tools necessary to get jobs and even stimulate formation of new business. I’m about to be labeled a racist. Can anybody direct me to a black or minority electrician? How about a minority plumber? Carpenter? Mechanic? Welder? Bakery (I love Hispanic sweets)? Small engine repair man? Landscaper? I’ve always heard that one should not complain about the way things are without offering a solution. You have just read what is a solution of mine to the problems in our society that so many well intentioned people want to call problems of the Criminal Justice System. God Bless Houston County and please send me the name of a good mental health professional.