East End neighborhood needs leadership

Who are the leaders of the East End community?

I am not hearing their voices or seeing their presence. Instead, there are great divides: black against whites and blacks against each other; citizens against police or police profiling certain citizens; elderly who are fearful and youth instilling fear; residents who complain about everything or those who just don’t care about much of anything.

I sometimes hear loud voices that are deceptive. I see so-called leaders who are serving their own egos and promoting personal agendas.

Change is coming to this diverse and historic community. A resident can either be a hater or a voice of reason and civility with a vision of what might be for the greater good. We need front-line leaders walking the streets every day, with grass-roots efforts toward positive change and progress.

We need someone who not only marches to a different drummer but can also teach others the beat, to work in harmony for the best interests of this struggling neighborhood on the verge of revitalization.

It only takes one; others will follow. As a reluctant community activist, I challenge others to start the movement or join the march. Lead, follow or get out of the way.

This story was originally published March 24, 2017 at 5:53 PM with the headline "East End neighborhood needs leadership."