Laurie Cumbo, New York City Council member-elect, representing the 35th District which covers Crown Heights, wrote the following statement Tuesday:
The recent epidemic of the “Knock Out Game” in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn and throughout the Nation has forced me to make some early decisions as to what type of elected official I want to be as I prepare to take office in January. It is a most challenging time to assume office, as the elderly and our children have become targets of violence, undermining the very foundation of community. I was very pleased on November 19th, 2013 that Rabbi Chanina Sperlin organized a community forum of religious leaders, school principals, elected officials, community leaders, and law enforcement to address this issue in order to prevent it from spiraling out of control both in our neighborhood and beyond.
Many thoughts emerged from that meeting, including a recognition that the African American/Caribbean/Jewish community had come a long way since the Crown Heights Riots over twenty years ago. Others expressed sentiments that while there has been much progress, it was unfortunate that it took a tragedy in the community to bring the leadership together once again. Some demanded justice and swift legal action, while others stressed the importance of educational programs that would teach our youth about one another’s cultures. Today, most young people are not even aware that the Crown Heights Riots even happened.
At the forum, there was a great deal of confusion about why this epidemic had begun in the first place, and whether or not it should be viewed as a series of hate crimes. My comments regarding my thoughts on the origin of the “Knock Out Game” came from a place of wanting to get to the heart of the matter, as uncomfortable as that might be for many. As I campaigned throughout the primary season, I knocked on the doors of thousands of Jewish and African American/Caribbean residents in Crown Heights. Through those interactions, it was brought to my attention by many of the African American/Caribbean residents that perhaps the relationship between the two communities is not as great as it is currently perceived to be by the leadership. At the meeting, I shared that many African American/Caribbean residents expressed a genuine concern that as the Jewish community continues to grow, they would be pushed out by their Jewish landlords or by Jewish families looking to purchase homes. I relayed these sentiments at the forum not as an insult to the Jewish community, but rather to offer possible insight as to how young African American/Caribbean teens could conceivably commit a “hate crime” against a community that they know very little about.
I admire the Jewish community immensely. I am particularly inspired by the fact that the Jewish community has not assimilated to the dominant American culture, and has preserved their religious and cultural values while remaining true to themselves. I respect and appreciate the Jewish community’s family values and unity that has led to strong political, economic and cultural gains. While I personally regard this level of tenacity, I also recognize that for others, the accomplishments of the Jewish community triggers feelings of resentment, and a sense that Jewish success is not also their success.
I believe that it is critical for our communities, and especially for our young people, to gain a greater understanding of one another so that we can learn more about each other’s challenges and triumphs despite religious and cultural differences. I believe it is possible for us to create real friendships across cultural boundaries that transcend mere tolerance, but rather strive for mutual respect and admiration. I know that there is so very much that can be gained by learning from one another. When I assume office in January, I will be working with local leaders to plan a series of events that will bring our young people together. It is crucial that we do the hard work to truly create one community, and I am looking for your full support and participation.
I fully recognize the severity of these recent crimes and I, along with City, State and Federal elected officials are calling for a detailed investigation, which I am confident will lead to arrests and legal action. It is imperative that we send a zero-tolerance message to the individuals who are responsible for these attacks. Let me make it abundantly clear, notwithstanding my eagerness to build bridges between diverse peoples and communities, any crime committed by one individual against another is a crime and must be viewed and treated as such. If one person attacks another, regardless of the motivation, there is no justification for such an action. We should never blame a victim, or try to explain away any wrongdoing. The issue of race or religion is but a red-herring one when it comes to crime. As a civilized people we must hold every felon accountable for his or her felony. Yet, since the issue of race has been unfortunately been introduced into the conversation about the current epidemic, I pray that I can assist in bringing my Jewish and African-American/Caribbean constituents to a far better relationship and understanding than the ones that exists today.
As an African American woman, this is challenging, because I recognize that it is Black children and not Jewish children that are playing the “Knock Out Game.” Why is this? In many ways governmental neglect, outside uncontrolled influences and failed leadership have led to the breakdown that so many young people of color are currently facing. I feel torn because I feel apart of the very system that has caused the destructive path that so many young people have decided to take while I am simultaneously demanding that they be arrested by that same system.
I am concerned that the media attention around the “Knock Out Game” is divisive and will erode the real progress that has been made over decades. The recent November 26th article published in The Jewish Week, paints African American teens in a dangerous light, and could cause the vast majority of innocent young people of color to be seen as criminals in the Crown Heights community as a result of the actions of a dangerous small minority. At the same time, there are some people in the African-American/Caribbean community who foster stereotypical views of Jewish people, which is why it is important that we create a more open dialogue.
As the Rebbe once said “There aren’t two communities living in Crown Heights. It is one community.” As the media has recently focused our attention on the “Knock Out Game,” I am challenged with the reality that a 66 year old grandfather was shot and killed earlier this week while dropping off money in Fort Greene’s Walt Whitman Houses to help a family pay for Thanksgiving dinner. There was no public outcry or calls for swift legal action for this loss of life or for the dozens of others that were killed in the public housing developments this year in the District. I want us to move forward as a community and recognize that we must all come together across religious and racial lines anytime someone in our community is attacked. I want to realize the Rebbe’s life long pursuit to “make the world a better place, and to eliminate suffering”. It is only when we all come together and see one another as human beings instead of through the lens of racial, cultural or ethnic categories that we will be able to make our communities ONE.
Is this game being played, maybe. Is it nationwide? No.
It’s not being played in Hawaii or most southern states especially Texas.
We all know why this game is not being played in Texas. I say nothing further.
First everyone has got to fix themselves, make achdus in their own communities,
then they have to start being more protective of their children-we can’t rely solely on hashem
then daven
and start thinking about helping blacks
What 56 is saying is that we don’t like ppl who beat our kids. So=natzi.
True brilliance.
What you say about tzelem elokim shows on a bit of a lack of knowledge. Adam was made “b’tzelem elokim”, what does that mean? G-d blew a second soul, extra, not that man is made in his image, But HIS MAN. which is the meaning of The first line of Tanya ch. 2 ונפש השנית בישרא-ל.
Hey its kinda racist but what can u do. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
Mendy
P.S. i’m no racist, just the messenger
What is reverse? Jews are blaming blacks for being successful and therefore engage in knock out game?
The reverse also holds true too.
In mu humble opinion she said it as it is. She verbalized the sentiments of those blacks, and the picture she painted is indeed dismal because these sentiments – Jews are successful therefore they should be knocked out – is a classical Nazism excuse. So basically she brings up very disturbing fact of life – a lot of blacks in Crown Heights are Nazis in their ideology and they raise their children with that ideology.
You are 100% right on but on top of it those black people who made it up on the economic ladder they move out from their community and into upscale neighborhoods because their own brothers and sisters are extremely JEALOUS of their succes.
I agree with you 100% and the attitude of racism, arrogance and insularity is a big turn off to many of our youth. Yes, I have lived in CH and I know it’s challenging, but the “schvartze and goyim attitude is not what drove me to Yiddishkiet, and has sorely tempted me to leave at times. What does Ohr l’goyim mean? It means bringing and making light, sharing light, finding the tzelem elokim in all. I dafka try to make eye contact and greet non- Jews whereever I am, especially in CHts. Yes, there are major problems in the African-… Read more »
First: I admit, I’m an out-of-towner so I don’t really know what the atmosphere is like in CH right now. Second: she never blames Jews, in fact she very explicitly states that victim-blaming is never ok, but it’s important to understand where each side is coming from in order to solve a problem. Third: Not our problem? Did the Holocaust teach us nothing about people who say “it’s not our problem?” The privileged of Europe turned their backs and said, “It isn’t our problem,” and a decade later 20 million people were gone. Didn’t we just hear about a baby… Read more »
Your use of a thesaurus in no way conceals your blatant racism!
The African-American needs to address their own problems, and luckily they have. There are lots of real leaders in the black community, but Laurie Cumbo is not one of them. She has not worked against black-on-black violence, except in her art world bubble. It strikes me that Laurie Cumbo does not understand the frum community, the secular Jewish community or the Caribbean-American community. I used to like her, but she lost my respect during the campaign. I don’t think she’s up to the challenges of the job. But I don’t want to see her bring down Crown Heights. We need… Read more »
This woman sounds like a perfect take off of Obama, who is the biggest bigget and instigator of “racism”. The black people have NOTHING to be jealous of, whatever the Jewish residents of Crown Heights have they worked and toiled for with NO help from the government. I personally know and have lots of Black neighbors (older generation) who live here in their OWN homes, and not only don’t feel as though they are being pushed out, but are thrilled at having Jewish neighbors as they say, it makes them feel safer. because they know their Jewish neighbor is not… Read more »
Blame, blame, blame everyone for the failue of the black family to raise decent kis.
If anyone should have problamatic children it should be the Jews who are always the scapegoats.
So stop with your excuses and start teaching the black family to behave like a decent family with ethics and morals, In their kids spare time they should take them to old age homes or food shelters to help the needy.
This will keep the young kids occupied with good quality time instead of knocking out people.
Because if one speaks the truth one comes closer to ‘The Father.’
“Why is this? In many ways governmental neglect, outside uncontrolled influences and failed leadership have led to the breakdown that so many young people of color are currently facing.” Don’t expect Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo to admit that largely it’s family life that is lacking, she might be subject to much abuse from her own people. Would you admit the truth about other Jews, were they to blame for something? Every informed person knows the main reason, even though, if it’s do to jealousy, there is jealousy between Jews. Why is this whole affair occurring anyway? We educated Jews know…our bad… Read more »
We live in a large dense population, we need to focus and celebrate positive actions,when I was in yeshivah a bochur said once he was once surrounded by a group of youth looking to cause him harm, a large black teen came over and told the group to leave my friend alone, he was safe all he remembered was the act of kindness,that shiuld be our focus.
“Even in Israel there is plenty of organized crime and corruption done by Jews.”
Why would you speak the truth? We don’t want to hear about.
Finally a voice of reason, intelligence, and non-emotional bias. Too bad there aren’t very many voices like yours in the community.
looking for an answer? Look inside,not outside..dont tell us about ” govt neglect”, ” uncontrolled outside influences”, etc..look at your communitys broken,one parent families, drugs etc..How can they raise heatlhy law-abiding children this way? no mention of G-D, etc. who is raising these children? the govt?
Thank you Mrs. Laurie Cumbo for the forthright declaration. Basically a lot depends on education. Even in Israel there is plenty of organized crime and corruption done by Jews. Much could be prevented through a proper education but the Israeli government is weak and misguided. ‘The Rebbe’ always spoke about education as being a fundamental ingredient in the growth of an individual & group. What is education? Facts? I’ve spoken to a few hundred Afro-Americans in Crown Heights about ‘The 7 Noahide Laws’ and the amazing, thrilling, great profound wisdom and beauty of ‘The Holy Tongue’ (‘Loshon HaKodesh’) — the… Read more »
You know, those people whose lives were changed because these ‘poor, underpriviledged, young black’ criminals are the only ones in society who don’t need to be told in no uncertain terms that there is a consequence for not acting like a human being. They claim to be so hard done by and they themselves are the reason for it.
We need to look at the end result – this will be seen by many as an excuse to perpetrate more crime c”v. We can only prepare so that they will NOT be successful. So many Jewish people in Crown Heights are poor, this is not a generally wealthy neighborhood- and besides, it seems to me that our enemies are more into money than anyone else around- and will do anything to get someone else’s – SO CALLED ‘WEALTH’ IS NOT THE REASON FOR THE ILL WILL. It is just an excuse.
You are very smart and your write well too. Let’s hear from you more.
to#27 If you don’t like what you hear do you have to resort to that? to#30 Where did she say no media?
and blaming the victims for being successful, expanding, and willing to look out for their own, is unethical, criminal, and anti-Semitic. What does she want us to do? Not buy homes or apartments? Not allow our success rates to rise above those of our neighbors? To raise a cry at every black-on-black crime in identical fashion to when our own children’s blood is spilled? In other words, we should shut up, live in poverty, and move out of the area, right? Then there will be peace between the blacks and the… well, by then it will only be blacks. This… Read more »
Posting this just so ur prediction should come true…
so typical of the new day and age! when i was younger if you did something wrong you got your smack, cried and moved on. now everybody’s awww poor this poor that… enough! awwww he got yelled at by his paents for hitting his bother he must be emotionally scarred, send him to therapy. stop with the excuses, man up, say we have a serious issue that needs to be fixed.
i live “in the hood” and i get along very well with my black neighbors, i show them respect and humanity, and they show the same in return!
most blacks and whites/jews get along just fine! its the subset of violent ones who need to be rained in and taught a firm lesson!
I hope not all blacks are as dumb as her.
You are pathetic and ignorant. I hope u enjoy ur one and only term in office. It’s everybody else’s fault but the black kids, who the govt. supports and cont. to support them with having kids.
We want them out because they are a drag
On society and our community.
Wow, well said. I think only this comment should be sent to the council woman. He says it as it is without name calling or degradation of anyone. Just the truth as it is. Well said.
she has a tough job, to give her credit. but i see two mistakes. one, thinking we are to let our children and their children together, to learn from each other, etc. and two, she made a case for keeping the media out of the “knock out” game. unfortunately, we need the media to protect ourselves; telling the media to keep out is like when an adult is bad to a child and tells the child “do not tell anybody or else…”
I do understand the Councilwomans’ attempts at reconciliation, and she probably means well. However, “the accomplishments of the Jewish community triggers feelings of resentment” and then: “We should never blame a victim, or try to explain away any wrongdoing.” doesn’t sound like she has a clear thinking of the issue. She does blame the criminal for being a criminal, but then uses race to to say it’s the Jew’s fault. furthermore: “and a sense that Jewish success is not also their success.” Didn’t our President win election based on the promise that everyone should have a chance at success? Or… Read more »
you said it perfectly !!!!!!!!
Her statement is reminiscent of another statement I heard in 91 “Let them vent their rage”. After realizing that her antisemitism was exposed to the non-black community, she is trying to dress up her comment with a lot of nice phrases from the Rebbe. The statement of the “Money Grubbing Jew” being responsible for the black community’s failure, didnt just come out of nowhere. She along with most of the African American Community have been raised on a steady diet of antisemitism. Until they start educating their children to stop blaming others for their failures and to pick themselves up… Read more »
well said #8!! very well said!
Arabs are mad at Zionists. I’m not sure if they are jealous.
In the early years of NYC, Harlem & the lower east side were teaming with Jews, and frum jews at that!
Where did they all go?
They were “pushed” out by blacks and hispanics who took over those areas.
Having resentment because one group is populating it’s own community is just plain stupid.
This is not a conflict between two communities. This is a subset of one community acting like absolute savages and a larger subset of that community and its entire leadership unwilling to call if for what it is without justifications. The black community is not playing nicely with itself either. There are fundamental problem with the black community, starting with the breakdown of the nuclear family and ending in a savage pop-culture. To point out the content of music is as cliché as it is sadly relevant, but it is what is. But that is just a symptom and reinforcement… Read more »
Blacks playing the victims again this time. Take respsonsibility. You are jealous? That’s your problem. You allow your children to beat up the children of those you resent? That is not being civilized.
Give your advice to the writers of this web site, too.
The Councilwoman elect writes a very powerful and telling message. She is being honest and open in expressing the feelings of her constituents. She is not at all speaking negatively of the Jewish residents of CH, just bringing out to the open the feelings of “her people”. The question is how do u fix it??? Clearly this again illustrates the total and criminal failure of black leadership since after MLK. Instead of encouraging their young people and saying now we have the freedom and opportunity to really become successful etc., they have been promoting a culture of victimhood and entitlement.… Read more »
“I recognize that it is Black children and not Jewish children that are playing the “Knock Out Game.” Why is this? In many ways governmental neglect, outside uncontrolled influences and failed leadership have led to the breakdown that so many young people of color are currently facing.” NO — It’s because as a group, you’ve been POOR role models, and not portrayed hard work to your children to grow up with. And, you’re calling it “Playing a Game”. They are performing random acts of deadly violence! Also, you have not disciplined the children for their bad actions when they were… Read more »
well written – good luck may we work together for better things only!
just like the Arabs in the middle east, instead of improving THEIR own regimes they attempt to destroy the (contrasting) success of israel and the west
SHe as many politicians try to rewrite and revise history to dilute clarity and therby the problem (and thus any meaningful solution)
The community raising their children to use violence needs to take responsibility rather than BLAME THOSE BEING ATTACKED!!
the Congresswoman isn’t saying it’s RIGHT that others are jealous of Jewish success, just saying it’sa fact that has to be recognized. I think she eloquently was right on all of her points. The Rebbe wants us to find ways to enhance life and purpose for all of humanity, how much more so, those that by HP are our neigjbors. Change can only come through honest dialogue and reaching out of our comfort zone, this is an excellent statement and hand extended to our community.
same old stuff. its once again blame the jews for being productive and civilized . it can be one community but without miss cumbo. she has missed the pt and has made an all ready divisive situation worse. read her lips. .. jews are the problem
This piece was extremely clear and well-written. It should be a wake-up call to the black community that one of their leaders is articulate and sensitive to the issues. I found nothing offensive in this, indeed there were many important acknowledgements. We are all in golus, and we have to live with the goyim in sholom. Knee-jerk, provincial reactions like I read here are not going to help. Read what she wrote. It is one of the best, most articulate and acutely sensitive and most of all ACCURATE assesments of the metzius. Now that the facts are on the table,… Read more »
In a nut shell she is justifying their JEALOUSY
hmm…..interesting way of thinking. Can’t really relate to what you’re saying. Fortunately I was raised with Jewish values that never excuse violently hurting innocent ppl.
Since time immemorial goyim have had the idea of all Yidden being rich shoved down their throats from their religious institutions from their grandparents & parents – all from positions of either malice or pure ignorance.Until Moshiach comes (may it be NOW) that’s what it is. Hashem will protect us – the challenge of living with it is ever harder.
Although I disagree with the CHJCC on many points & even more so their so called PAC. She was the right candidate to endorse, b/c she had the most private sector experience, and made an extra effort to engaged the Jewish community. Regardless of her unwise comments, and even more unwise response, I believe she will be a good representative in regards to bringing home the gelt, which is basically what we want from our elected officials (at least at the NYC level). If Laurie Cumbo truly wants to change the way Jewish Black community affairs is handled, then a… Read more »
She says: “I believe that it is critical for our communities, and especially for our young people, to gain a greater understanding of one another so that we can learn more about each other’s challenges and triumphs despite religious and cultural differences.” No, Mrs. Cumbo! We have no reason to learn about the challenges that black youth face. That is a problem for YOU to work on and for the black community to work on. We don’t, and NEVER have bothered blacks in or around our community. Point to ONE, SINGLE incident of a Yeshiva boy attacking a black or… Read more »
She’s an elected official. She can’t have an intern proofread her work?
1) out of a DOUBT that their landlords might drive them out the house they are going to start playing knock-out?? this doesn’t make sense, as it won’t do anything other than give us more reason to want to get rid of these people from the neighborhood 2) She says shes upset as there is no public out cry for justice regarding a shooting. Should there be an outcry for a most obvious thing?? is there is a book in front of me do i have to shout out to the world telling them all, “LOOK there is a book!!”… Read more »
Miss Cumbo this is pure incitement. What kind of leader can you be. Even a simple answer as what is going on is uncalled for would have saved you from this unneccessary contoversy. You should apologize and redeem yourself. We live in America the land of the free and part of that freedom includes making a success of yourself. So whats the problem, this is America anyone can make a success of themselves if they work hard at it. Education and moral values are lacking in your community. Many of these people who are assaulting others come from homes where… Read more »
Instead of resenting someone else’s success, why don’t you try to be successful yourself?
Would they like to change places with us and go through what we and our homes and cars have been going through in this beleaguered neighborhood since the begining of time? I think not. What this is is another ploy to ‘justify’ their lack of discipline, lack of morals, lack of basic self contriol when it comes to doing.. whatever they want. We’ve always known they can’t stand our existence and this is at the core of everything that strange woman has said. Any excuse to justify their random acts of violence. I sincerely hope no one in the justice… Read more »
Very nice, I agree
The councilman is attempting to clarify her recent statements, and yet this articles headline and summary totally undermines that.