More Tragedy from the Ghetto

There are two things that leave the black, inner-city wallowing in crime: (1) Fatherlessness that leads to an unhealthy desire/need for "respect" ("respect" for your game, for your girl, or even for your car); and (2) Tolerating the acts of criminals.

Here's my case in point.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Vanderbilt running back Kwane Doster was shot to death after his friends and a group of other men exchanged "trash talk" about their cars, Tampa police said Tuesday.

Police continued to appeal for help in making an arrest in the Sunday morning shooting. Police said they have suspects, but need witnesses who might have seen who fired the fatal shot.

Doster, 21, was shot to death at a sandwich shop after visiting a local club with two friends about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

While leaving the club, Doster's friends had a discussion with three other men about their cars, said Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin. Both groups were driving what Durkin described as "show" cars, and the arguments centered on whose car was better.

The two groups met again at a stoplight, where they again exchanged words and mean stares, Durkin said. The suspects were riding in an orange Infiniti.

Blocks later, Doster and his friends pulled into a sandwich shop. The Infiniti pulled up, one man got out and opened fire with a handgun, Durkin said.

Doster, who was sitting in the back seat of his friend's car, was killed with a single shot. No one else was injured.

After recently visiting the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, I can clearly see the legacy of slavery in today's society and what that great evil has wrought. But it's clearly time for black America - and specifically black men - to stand up and be counted.

As is always the case, the cause of our problems can be found in the mirror.