| Gang intervention: A new prospective |
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As a nation we posture ourselves as the great society. We have led the frontiers in science, medicine, industry, and social equality. And we have made amends with our conscience; in dealing with our own atrocities, beginning with the genocide of the Indigenous people to our history with slavery.
Yet, from sociologist to criminologist, we have failed when dealing with youth crime in our society. While the number crunchers tell us that violent crime is down; there is still alarming statistics coming from our major metropolitan cities in América. One capsule is Chicago’s school district, where it was reported that for the school year of 2009 a record 36 students lost their lives to gang violence.
Chicago’s school district is a microcosm of the violence playing out on América’s streets, where hundreds of young people have lost their life to gang violence in 2009. A report released this year by Northeaster that was prepared by James Alan Fox, and Marc Swatt, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, revealed some startling statistics. The report chronicled offenders and victims over the past 30 years. They reported that the number of homicide involving Black juvenile victims grew over 30%, while suspects grew over 40%.
In my current assignment, I have canvassed the city over the last twenty-four months speaking to gang awareness. My audiences run the gambit of first-graders at a local elementary school, to a detention facility for young offenders.
What still amazes me; is the public’s perception of gang violence and their intrigue of gang culture. As a society, we have elevated the culture of gangs on many venues such as movies, music, and the infusion of violence in our living rooms via television.
There seems to be no real science when it comes to dealing with gangs and the aftermath they leave. We are in an evolving process, where young men step into a culture with its own values; often looking for acceptance and family. Unfortunately, the distorted value system of a gang leads to incarceration or death.
The prevalence of gangs in our society is paralleled with illegal contraband, specifically crack cocaine and the control of that market. Before crack cocaine was introduced on our streets in the 1980’s we did not see the sustained violence. Before crack cocaine, or as a colleague of mine coined it B.C. gangs would run their course and young men would ultimately find employment. In the advent of a nation that is experiencing deindustrialization, the transition from gang member to responsible citizen is greatly diminished.
Now we have the industry of gang intervention, with a multitude of approaches. There is the former gang member, who is given a platform and speaks to the ills of the gang culture. Additionally, there are those of us in law enforcement and service providers (non profits) who also speak to gangs and an opportunity for alternative life choices.
From a local perspective we are fortunate to live in the Denver metro area and are the recipients of past and current leaders who had the vision to starve off gang violence. That said, we must continue to be vigilant and creative, always looking for new methodology in dealing with gang violence. We must remove the cloak of mystique and glamorization of gang culture and expose this virus of crime that is nestled therein.
We must look at prevention early on, and keep our goals realistic. Our children need alternatives from gang culture. We must keep our youth from making bad mistakes that ultimately takes their freedom or their life. Our youth must look to themselves through a window of respect for each other.
Over the years, I have talked with many of our young people, and they aspire to become a rapper or a professional athlete. Image is an all important factor with our youth and we must build positive platforms early on. Our children need environments that dissuade gang culture and create new corridors to viable opportunities. We must move from stereotyping that exalts violence and exposes the consequences of gang activity.
Gangs are vile enterprises that took the lives of 36 beautiful children in a Chicago neighborhood. Their lives should not be dismissed as just gang members.
When we again visit statistics we are told the América has 5% of the world’s population, and 25% of the world’s prison population. There should be no profits in building prisons, but rather we should look at creating opportunities.
During a web-cast, a minister in Washington D.C. was asked by a panelist why the gang violence? He answered, “Every child hungers for structure, every child hungers for real love and care and concern. Every child wants the respect and adoration of their parent; kids want discipline. Gangs are highly disciplined and if children to not get discipline at home; they will get it in a gang or other outside influence.”
Lastly, I would be remised if I did not point out that gang culture and the eradication of gangs must be in symphony with parents, schools, neighborhoods, and faith-based organizations in cooperation with local law enforcement. These young people need a template of family.
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