We’ve all heard it, the thumping, and relentless throb of bass blasting from a car rolling slowly down Broad Street.

It’s a status symbol for today’s youth.

There are competitions – all across the country

to see who has the best ‘Boomin’ System’ as LL Cool J called it a decade

ago.

While we don’t want to come across as the old fogies who just don’t get it, things have gotten out of hand with the blasting car stereos.

There is a time and a place for such activity – preferably far away from crowded streets or neighborhoods – but late at night our residential areas need to be protected from this noisy assault.

That’s the message Tsounga Craig has been trying to get across and we support him fully.

However, we need to go an extra step.

Because of Craig’s campaign he and his wife have become targets for these thunderous aural terrorists and that needs to stop.

Forget for a moment that Craig and his wife fought for Civil Rights.

Forget that they marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday.

Common decency should provide the Craig’s some protection from the noise, even if the law can’t.

But we don’t live in those times anymore.

It’s much cooler to roll slowly by the Craig’s house and crank the stereo up to 11 rather than show a little respect, a little compassion.

We can ask local law enforcement to make enforcing the noise ordinance a point of emphasis, but we can’t make people respect one and another.

We can’t teach the world to live in harmony. But we can set an example.

We can speak out when we see someone doing wrong.

We can still make a difference.

That’s a lesson the Craigs’ learned back in 1965 and it’s one the rest of us should take it to heart.