Let there be no mistake about the problem and prevalence of gangs in our communities as serious business. We acknowledge and appreciate the work law enforcement does on the criminal side of gang activity in local neighborhoods as many families have suffered tragic death after tragic senseless death.
Having said that, as we consider different and new approaches in dealing with this isuue, I suggest communities first recognize that individual gang members per say, are not the so called “enemy.” Quoting from the study Ganging Up on Communities, putting Gang Crime in Context (www.justicepolicy.org – July 2005) “Fostering a national culture of fear concerning gangs only diverts our attention from the real problem and real solutions.” (pg. 10)
Every gang member is a human being first with the same human needs that we all have. I believe it is this fundamental approach that has allowed the success I have had in helping turn many of these young hearts away from the gang lifestyle. This is not to say we should ignore the wrong things they do, especially acts of violence and crime. However, there is a reason for violent behavior and when those reasons are effectively addressed and understood; human hearts change and the results are revolutionary. Thus, as we deal with the problem of violence and gangs we must be careful and re-think our strategies, priorities and methods of approach.
No school, principal, teacher, policeman, or community member should view gang members as “the enemy.” This kind of perception causes a posture of offensiveness, defensiveness and pre-judgment that is keenly felt by a gang member at home, on the street or in a classroom. After all, contrary to popular opinion, not every gang member commits acts of violence or causes problems in the community. Troublemakers and those who act violently come from many different sectors and social classes of society and come in every size, shape, gender and race and I believe that our society is tired, very tired, of seeing a double standard of justice. Our generation has grown up watching too many seemingly social “V.I.P.’s”, who are guilty of one crime or another, but get off with the proverbial “hand slap.” Many are tired of the “excuses” and want to see justice. However, justice must be equally applied and that is not always easy to do when one side is seen as the “good guy” and the other as “the enemy.” It is easier to justify illegal, inappropriate, and antagonistic behavior when it is perceived as being done by “the good guys”. For example, consider the comment of one student gang member; “One teacher grabbed my by the hair and yelled at me…I pushed her and she fell on the floor and injured one of her fingers. I was suspended for six months.”
In the above case, the teacher received no reprimand, the student dropped out of school. The point is not to blame the school or teacher for the decision of this gang member. That is his/her responsibility. But, the double standard of applying the rules, one set for students, and another set for teachers, police and other authority figures, is unfortunately all too common. I believe that part of the reason for this is our perception of “good guy” and “enemy”, and somehow this perception can sometimes distort equal justice and allow inappropriate behavior in order to “get the enemy”. Thus, in providing part of the solution to this problem of violence and gangs, one thing that should not be done is to make these young people our enemies. Our efforts should be focused on the real enemies which, in my opinion, are the things that tear at the root and destroy the foundation of our nation which is fast becoming and endangered species, and that is the American family.
