INNER CITIES AND GANGS, some thoughts by Kenneth Udut:
Boys, of whom most gangs are comprised, although not exclusively
by any means (there are some really tough girls in gangs who are
equal or better match - not trying to be sexist here) - growing
up look for powerful role models.
There are many views of power. You can have the smiling, silent
and emotionally/mentally strong hero. You can have the mean, ''I
destroy my enemies'' type of hero and many other archetypes of
role models out there.
Entertainment on TV and the Internet fulfills some of the need
for role models but watching is not enough. You need an
interactive role model.
Gang initiations differ but often have a similar structure - a
series of steps that are easily followed with a series of
challenges to be met in order to rise in the ranks. This is a
natural structure in organizations of all kinds and
organizations formed by children (who then grow up) and filled
by children, will likely have this kind of structure.
The children grow up within that system and become masters of
manipulation, business and fear. In other circles they would be
powerful lords of Business, running quite successful
organizations with products and services or roaming salesmen who
can pitch a product to anybody and get them to buy.
But the opportunities for a white collar future are not there.
Their business sense and intelligence is used in an arena they
DO have some control over. And the business of criminal activity
takes just as much intelligence as running the largest of
corporations.
Gangs that are organized internally can last for decades, just
like corporations.
Opportunistic, ad-hoc gangs are the more anarchistic type and
are easier for the local authorities to control for they are
typically small and unbalanced.
I feel emotional when I think of the misused intellectual
capital in these horrendous environments. These children work
with what they have, with the role models they have at hand. The
police allow themselves to become seen as the enemy, which
closes that door for role model. Social support groups can be
helpful up to a certain age, but then what? Adults are scared of
the power of adolescence and always have been. Support programs
usually stop dead by age 11 or 12. Where do teenagers go for
social support and a sense of belonging?
Redirection has to happen prior to entry. Of course gangs need
to be tackled head on; but if someone wants to dismantle gangs,
they need to give much better and equally stable alternative
choices for the often choiceless children who are tired of
feeling disenfranchised.
[My sister posted an interesting rant about the need to fight
gangs in inner cities and I figured I would chime in. I was
kinda proud of my response and I'm copying it here to get your
thoughts]
