Mynisha's Circle: An update
Completely coincidental to the daily headlines regarding Operation Phoenix, some "members" of Mynisha's Circle gathered this past week at The Sun's offices to talk about ways we continue to shine a light on crime and the need to better protect children in our community.
I put "members" in quotes because Mynisha's Circle has never been for formal organization, but a movement of engaged people in our community concerned about our kids' well being. Mynisha was 11 when she died in a gang shooting on Nov. 13, 2005, and over the past two years, we've memorialized her passing with a candlelight vigil on the steps of City Hall.
We've talked about trying to do something more substantive, perhaps focusing on a particular topic or issue, such as the need for fathers to step up and understand their responsibility as providers and role models.
We're not sure where exactly that's taking us, but are certainly open to ideas and suggestions.
In the meantime, it's been interesting for me - as a founding partner of Mynisha's Circle - to look back on what's happened in light of the Operation Phoenix scandal. It's arguable that Phoenix never would have happened if not for the groundswell of community concern and community involvement that sprung from the circle and, quite candidly, The Sun's coverage of this topic. Pat Morris acknowledged as much in his campaign for mayor.
One of the things we learned early on was to play to our strengths. Again, the circle wasn't a formal organization, and to behave like one would have been folly. In our own way, we're all evangelists for a better community, and the best thing we can do is continue to shine a light on problems and solutions.
It may be a lesson for Phoenix and its supporters. If it's to succeed, it needs people with strength in the areas that it has shown to be vulnerable -- organization, management and accountability.