Today in History: The killing of Tessa Majors occurred near Morningside Park in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, New York, on this day last year. From wikipedia: "Majors, a white eighteen-year-old student at Barnard College, was attacked by three black teenagers as part of a robbery. Majors was then stabbed with a knife multiple times, resulting in Major's death." Also from wikipedia: "The incident garnered considerable news coverage and was referred to as a political football, in part because violent crime has fallen significantly in New York City in recent years."
This made me think...would the killing of Tessa Majors garner any coverage at all if it happened today? While crime may have been falling up until last year, that has all changed this year. For instance, more people are murdered in St. Louis now than actually die from the Covid. At certain points this year, killings have increased to 166% in New York, a city that used to be called the "safest big city in America." Chicago has seen a 78.7% increase in murders, 74.7% increase in shootings, and 289.1% increase in carjackings. Cincinnati had a 115 percent increase in homicides over last year. Atlanta has a 42% increase in murders over the past year, Houston has a 48% increase, LA has a 25% increase, Philadelphia has a 37% increase, Minneapolis has a 82% increase and Indianapolis has a 43% increase in murders.
As someone wrote even before the riots, "The coronavirus lockdowns are producing many unanticipated side effects, including upon crime." Yes! If you engage in bizarre social experimentation on a massive scale by denying the freedoms of millions you cannot be surprised that there might be negative consequences. We have known for decades that cabin fever results in deep psychological impacts.
Keep in mind that with all the manifold negative side-effects of the lockdowns (increase in worldwide poverty, domestic violence, mental health issues, suicides are up 25%, alcoholism, drug abuse is up 50% to 100%, meds not being refilled, missed cancer screenings up 50%, missed chemo treatments are up 50%) we are still doing this for the public good.
No comments:
Post a Comment