Dr. Umar: “Black Men Must Take Back the Block—Not the Police” (Chicago, ICE)

Dr. Umar Johnson tackles Chicago head-on: Trump/ICE, gangs, and why outsourcing our kids to the state is a “recipe for disaster.” His fix? Opportunity over over-policing—schools, real jobs (he says $80k + benefits changes everything), and culturally competent therapy. He argues “poverty is the mother of crime,” calls out politicians who skip schools/jobs, and says protests mean nothing without building institutions. We also touch community control, the two-party “same wing” critique, and why a new self-determination mindset is non-negotiable. Views are his; watch the full context and sound off below.