NATIONAL FORUM JOURNALS are a group of national and international refereed, blind-reviewed academic journals. NFJ publishes articles academic intellectual diversity, multicultural issues, management, business, administration, issues focusing on colleges, universities, and schools, all aspects of schooling, special education, counseling and addiction, international issues of education, organizational behavior, theory and development, and much more. DR. WILLIAM ALLAN KRITSONIS is Editor-in-Chief (Since 1982). See: www.nationalforum.com
Crime and poverty are contemporary social issues according to the document. Statistics show that households below the median income level are twice as likely to be victims of crime. The document examines explanations for the link between crime and poverty from Marxist, social interactionist, and empirical research perspectives. Marxism views crime as rooted in economic inequalities under capitalism where the ruling class exploits the working class. Social interactionism sees crime as learned through interactions in deprived social environments. Research also finds poverty increases the likelihood of youth violent crime due to family circumstances and developing identities in response to community deprivation.
- St. Louis has seen increasing rates of homicide over the past 5 years, with young people disproportionately responsible for crime and violence. Homicide offenders and victims are often male, African American, between 17-29 years old, and have a criminal history. These demographics match those of current or former gang members.
- While only 13-18% of homicides are committed by known gang members, gang involvement may be underreported due to definitional issues and the fact that many leave gangs before age 20 but continue criminal behavior.
- The document examines different approaches to defining and understanding gangs and the role of moral panic in shaping anti-gang policies, finding that subjective law enforcement designations can
The document discusses the high costs of mass incarceration in the United States, both financially and socially. The U.S. spends $80 billion annually to imprison over 2.4 million people, disproportionately people of color. In addition to incarcerated individuals, their families also suffer severe economic and social consequences. Families struggle to meet basic needs, pay excessive court costs, and maintain connections through expensive prison visits and calls. Formerly incarcerated people also face significant barriers to housing, employment, education, and public benefits. These costs are shouldered not just by individuals but by communities who are deprived of resources better spent on social programs. Reforms are needed to reduce incarceration and reinvest savings in social services and support for
The document discusses racial and class disparities in the American criminal justice system. It summarizes statistics showing people of color, especially Black men, are disproportionately represented in the US prison population. Private companies have increasingly profited from the prison industrial complex by investing in prisons and utilizing inmate labor. However, mass incarceration does not address the root social problems but rather discriminates against marginalized groups and depletes resources.
Sex trafficking exploits women, children, and other vulnerable groups through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex. Each year, hundreds of thousands of victims are trafficked within and across borders. Victims include women, children, LGBTQ individuals, and those facing discrimination or abuse. Traffickers use false promises and manipulation to lure victims into trafficking situations. Sex trafficking occurs in various locations and industries. Victims often face trauma and challenges overcoming social stigma. Addressing this issue requires awareness, supportive services for victims, and legal reforms.
Region 17 in Morris County formed partnerships between local education associations and community organizations through NJEA's PRIDE in Public Education program to educate students and parents about substance abuse. The partnerships organized events featuring speakers on addiction and prevention. Through PRIDE grants totaling $49,000, 13 local associations co-sponsored events with municipal alliances across Morris County. These events provided resources to parents and students to continue discussions around preventing substance abuse and helped association members get involved in their communities.
Individuals involved in prostitution often enter the sex trade as minors after experiencing abuse and trauma. They engage in prostitution out of desperation for survival needs like shelter, food, and money to support their children. An alternative court project in Chicago called WINGS provides supportive services and probation to help women exit prostitution and avoid recidivism. Grassroots organizations and policy changes aim to decriminalize prostitution for victims and shift the focus to punishing traffickers and buyers to ultimately end the commercial sex industry.
Trinity Kings World Leadership Services: Family Franchise Systems Data solves...Terrell Patillo
This document discusses tensions between police and minority communities and proposes solutions to build trust. It notes that the president of the International Association of Police Chiefs recently apologized for the "historical mistreatment" of racial minorities. It argues that city leaders must foster understanding between communities by ensuring all citizens feel invested in their city and neighborhood as a place they can call home with good jobs, schools, and representation. Leaders should examine policies and boards to ensure diversity and inclusiveness. The goal is to create cities where all citizens feel a sense of ownership and trust in institutions.
Crime and poverty are contemporary social issues according to the document. Statistics show that households below the median income level are twice as likely to be victims of crime. The document examines explanations for the link between crime and poverty from Marxist, social interactionist, and empirical research perspectives. Marxism views crime as rooted in economic inequalities under capitalism where the ruling class exploits the working class. Social interactionism sees crime as learned through interactions in deprived social environments. Research also finds poverty increases the likelihood of youth violent crime due to family circumstances and developing identities in response to community deprivation.
- St. Louis has seen increasing rates of homicide over the past 5 years, with young people disproportionately responsible for crime and violence. Homicide offenders and victims are often male, African American, between 17-29 years old, and have a criminal history. These demographics match those of current or former gang members.
- While only 13-18% of homicides are committed by known gang members, gang involvement may be underreported due to definitional issues and the fact that many leave gangs before age 20 but continue criminal behavior.
- The document examines different approaches to defining and understanding gangs and the role of moral panic in shaping anti-gang policies, finding that subjective law enforcement designations can
The document discusses the high costs of mass incarceration in the United States, both financially and socially. The U.S. spends $80 billion annually to imprison over 2.4 million people, disproportionately people of color. In addition to incarcerated individuals, their families also suffer severe economic and social consequences. Families struggle to meet basic needs, pay excessive court costs, and maintain connections through expensive prison visits and calls. Formerly incarcerated people also face significant barriers to housing, employment, education, and public benefits. These costs are shouldered not just by individuals but by communities who are deprived of resources better spent on social programs. Reforms are needed to reduce incarceration and reinvest savings in social services and support for
The document discusses racial and class disparities in the American criminal justice system. It summarizes statistics showing people of color, especially Black men, are disproportionately represented in the US prison population. Private companies have increasingly profited from the prison industrial complex by investing in prisons and utilizing inmate labor. However, mass incarceration does not address the root social problems but rather discriminates against marginalized groups and depletes resources.
Sex trafficking exploits women, children, and other vulnerable groups through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex. Each year, hundreds of thousands of victims are trafficked within and across borders. Victims include women, children, LGBTQ individuals, and those facing discrimination or abuse. Traffickers use false promises and manipulation to lure victims into trafficking situations. Sex trafficking occurs in various locations and industries. Victims often face trauma and challenges overcoming social stigma. Addressing this issue requires awareness, supportive services for victims, and legal reforms.
Region 17 in Morris County formed partnerships between local education associations and community organizations through NJEA's PRIDE in Public Education program to educate students and parents about substance abuse. The partnerships organized events featuring speakers on addiction and prevention. Through PRIDE grants totaling $49,000, 13 local associations co-sponsored events with municipal alliances across Morris County. These events provided resources to parents and students to continue discussions around preventing substance abuse and helped association members get involved in their communities.
Individuals involved in prostitution often enter the sex trade as minors after experiencing abuse and trauma. They engage in prostitution out of desperation for survival needs like shelter, food, and money to support their children. An alternative court project in Chicago called WINGS provides supportive services and probation to help women exit prostitution and avoid recidivism. Grassroots organizations and policy changes aim to decriminalize prostitution for victims and shift the focus to punishing traffickers and buyers to ultimately end the commercial sex industry.
Trinity Kings World Leadership Services: Family Franchise Systems Data solves...Terrell Patillo
This document discusses tensions between police and minority communities and proposes solutions to build trust. It notes that the president of the International Association of Police Chiefs recently apologized for the "historical mistreatment" of racial minorities. It argues that city leaders must foster understanding between communities by ensuring all citizens feel invested in their city and neighborhood as a place they can call home with good jobs, schools, and representation. Leaders should examine policies and boards to ensure diversity and inclusiveness. The goal is to create cities where all citizens feel a sense of ownership and trust in institutions.
Crime is deviant behaviour which is against the criminal lawcapesociology
Crime is defined as deviant behavior against criminal law. However, there is no universal agreement on what constitutes a crime. Some argue crime is socially constructed and depends on how societies interpret actions. In the Caribbean, there is debate around whether the region needs its own crime theory. While some argue theories may not fully capture Caribbean contexts, others believe mainstream theories can still apply when considering cultural and economic factors influencing local crime patterns and rates. Overall, the document discusses debates around defining crime and the need for region-specific crime theories.
Men can also be victims of sex trafficking. However, they often face disbelief that they could be victims due to gender stereotypes. Services for male trafficking victims are also lacking. For example, few shelters allow male victims or have separate services for men. Additionally, male victims may face stigma and shame for admitting they were victimized. It is important to recognize that both men and women can be traffickers or trafficked and provide support services to all victims of sex trafficking.
Assess the relationship between social class and crimecapesociology
This document discusses sociological theories on the relationship between social class and crime. It summarizes the theory of W.J. Chambliss and M. Mankoff that there is a systematic bias in favor of the ruling class in criminal justice systems, with those higher in social class being less likely to be arrested, prosecuted, convicted, and imprisoned for criminal acts. Chambliss argues specifically that power and ability to influence determine who gets arrested, and that organized crime is committed by the economic and political elite. Marxists like Chambliss see crime as a natural product of capitalism that generates greed and self-interest across all classes. The document also discusses theories that selective enforcement of laws serves to maintain ruling
Left Realism focuses on the exclusion and victimization of the working class. It argues that the working class commits crimes against each other, not the rich, due to relative deprivation and inequality of opportunities. While structural factors like inequality, lack of jobs and poor housing contribute to crime, Left Realism also acknowledges the role of subcultures and individualism in criminal behavior. It supports multi-agency approaches and greater community involvement in policing to curb crime rates. However, simply increasing policing does not address the underlying causes of crime.
This document outlines a public awareness campaign on the commercial sexual exploitation of children being run by Runaway Girl, FPC in collaboration with Learn4Life Charter School and the Department of Children and Family Services across 6 markets including Antelope Valley. The campaign will educate communities through training sessions hosted by Learn4Life and involve survivors, stakeholders, and volunteers. The objectives are to increase awareness, provide ideas to address risk factors, and recommendations to improve future campaigns. Challenges include lack of coordination, trust, data sharing, and terminology. The campaign will target groups like law enforcement, schools, NGOs, businesses, and faith-based organizations using a relational network approach.
The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center (MSPJC) facilitated various trainings and workshops over the past year to build skills in areas like screen printing, organizing, and know-your-rights. They collaborated with multiple community organizations on initiatives addressing issues like homelessness, criminal justice reform, sexual assault, and public transportation access. MSPJC also conducted outreach and provided resources to engage residents on priorities in their neighborhoods.
The success of the Obama campaign is a sign that civic participation is on the rise again after decades of decline. Obama built an "old-fashioned movement in an old-fashioned way" by deploying organizers to meet with supporters face-to-face and encourage them to talk to their neighbors, rather than just contacting campaign headquarters. Now, Obama and community organizers aim to continue engaging these communities through a new organization called OFA 2.0 that will provide support for locally-led initiatives. Their goal is a "national, grassroots-driven renewal of civic engagement." Community organizers hope this will combine the best of community organizing and electoral politics to sustain citizen engagement.
This document provides an overview of procedural justice and police legitimacy in St. Louis. It discusses how police use of procedural justice can help build legitimacy and cooperation from communities. The document then reviews crime and disorder issues in St. Louis, highlighting problems of racial disparities and unfair treatment found in Ferguson. It argues that through fair treatment, appropriate discretion, and community engagement, police can help establish legitimacy, especially in minority communities that have experienced discrimination.
The presenting problem is a lack of transportation equity in Sacramento. Public transportation is not affordable or accessible for many low-income residents, restricting their ability to get to jobs, services, and other opportunities. The Guest Action Committee at Wellspring Women's Center identified transportation as a major issue impacting their clientele. The document provides relevant history on transportation funding and equity issues. It analyzes differences in how Regional Transit and social service organizations approach problem solving. Communication patterns at Regional Transit tend to be impersonal and exclusionary compared to a more cooperative approach taken by organizations like Wellspring Women's Center.
The group chose the right to be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation as it relates to their topic of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse exploits a child's innocence and can be caused by parental neglect. Communities can honor this right by enforcing stiff penalties for abusers, spreading awareness of the impacts of abuse, and donating money to improve treatment and support for victims. Both local and global communities must take steps to prevent the exploitation of children.
The document discusses social crimes against women globally. It notes that while laws and policies have been implemented to protect women, abuse remains widespread. Women often lack awareness of their rights or courage to act against abuse. Forced sterilization also targets poor, minority and disabled women. The articles analyzed show partner violence disproportionately affects immigrant Latin American women due to attitudes of tolerance and victim blaming. Media also plays a negative role by portraying women as offenders. Overall, more must be done to educate women and enforce laws protecting them from social injustices.
The document discusses current methods used to maintain custody and control of inmates in correctional facilities. It outlines several challenges to maintaining order, including inmate violence, gang activity, drug use, and overcrowding. Current methods to deter violence and ensure safety include improved staff screening and training, better classification of inmates, supermax facilities for problematic inmates, denying gang recognition, and making facilities more humane. However, more work still needs to be done to permanently address the underlying issues contributing to violence in prisons.
This presentation includes basic of PCOS their pathology and treatment and also Ayurveda correlation of PCOS and Ayurvedic line of treatment mentioned in classics.
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty,
International FDP on Fundamentals of Research in Social Sciences
at Integral University, Lucknow, 06.06.2024
By Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
বাংলাদেশের অর্থনৈতিক সমীক্ষা ২০২৪ [Bangladesh Economic Review 2024 Bangla.pdf] কম্পিউটার , ট্যাব ও স্মার্ট ফোন ভার্সন সহ সম্পূর্ণ বাংলা ই-বুক বা pdf বই " সুচিপত্র ...বুকমার্ক মেনু 🔖 ও হাইপার লিংক মেনু 📝👆 যুক্ত ..
আমাদের সবার জন্য খুব খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বই ..বিসিএস, ব্যাংক, ইউনিভার্সিটি ভর্তি ও যে কোন প্রতিযোগিতা মূলক পরীক্ষার জন্য এর খুব ইম্পরট্যান্ট একটি বিষয় ...তাছাড়া বাংলাদেশের সাম্প্রতিক যে কোন ডাটা বা তথ্য এই বইতে পাবেন ...
তাই একজন নাগরিক হিসাবে এই তথ্য গুলো আপনার জানা প্রয়োজন ...।
বিসিএস ও ব্যাংক এর লিখিত পরীক্ষা ...+এছাড়া মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চমাধ্যমিকের স্টুডেন্টদের জন্য অনেক কাজে আসবে ...
This presentation was provided by Steph Pollock of The American Psychological Association’s Journals Program, and Damita Snow, of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for the initial session of NISO's 2024 Training Series "DEIA in the Scholarly Landscape." Session One: 'Setting Expectations: a DEIA Primer,' was held June 6, 2024.
Crime is deviant behaviour which is against the criminal lawcapesociology
Crime is defined as deviant behavior against criminal law. However, there is no universal agreement on what constitutes a crime. Some argue crime is socially constructed and depends on how societies interpret actions. In the Caribbean, there is debate around whether the region needs its own crime theory. While some argue theories may not fully capture Caribbean contexts, others believe mainstream theories can still apply when considering cultural and economic factors influencing local crime patterns and rates. Overall, the document discusses debates around defining crime and the need for region-specific crime theories.
Men can also be victims of sex trafficking. However, they often face disbelief that they could be victims due to gender stereotypes. Services for male trafficking victims are also lacking. For example, few shelters allow male victims or have separate services for men. Additionally, male victims may face stigma and shame for admitting they were victimized. It is important to recognize that both men and women can be traffickers or trafficked and provide support services to all victims of sex trafficking.
Assess the relationship between social class and crimecapesociology
This document discusses sociological theories on the relationship between social class and crime. It summarizes the theory of W.J. Chambliss and M. Mankoff that there is a systematic bias in favor of the ruling class in criminal justice systems, with those higher in social class being less likely to be arrested, prosecuted, convicted, and imprisoned for criminal acts. Chambliss argues specifically that power and ability to influence determine who gets arrested, and that organized crime is committed by the economic and political elite. Marxists like Chambliss see crime as a natural product of capitalism that generates greed and self-interest across all classes. The document also discusses theories that selective enforcement of laws serves to maintain ruling
Left Realism focuses on the exclusion and victimization of the working class. It argues that the working class commits crimes against each other, not the rich, due to relative deprivation and inequality of opportunities. While structural factors like inequality, lack of jobs and poor housing contribute to crime, Left Realism also acknowledges the role of subcultures and individualism in criminal behavior. It supports multi-agency approaches and greater community involvement in policing to curb crime rates. However, simply increasing policing does not address the underlying causes of crime.
This document outlines a public awareness campaign on the commercial sexual exploitation of children being run by Runaway Girl, FPC in collaboration with Learn4Life Charter School and the Department of Children and Family Services across 6 markets including Antelope Valley. The campaign will educate communities through training sessions hosted by Learn4Life and involve survivors, stakeholders, and volunteers. The objectives are to increase awareness, provide ideas to address risk factors, and recommendations to improve future campaigns. Challenges include lack of coordination, trust, data sharing, and terminology. The campaign will target groups like law enforcement, schools, NGOs, businesses, and faith-based organizations using a relational network approach.
The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center (MSPJC) facilitated various trainings and workshops over the past year to build skills in areas like screen printing, organizing, and know-your-rights. They collaborated with multiple community organizations on initiatives addressing issues like homelessness, criminal justice reform, sexual assault, and public transportation access. MSPJC also conducted outreach and provided resources to engage residents on priorities in their neighborhoods.
The success of the Obama campaign is a sign that civic participation is on the rise again after decades of decline. Obama built an "old-fashioned movement in an old-fashioned way" by deploying organizers to meet with supporters face-to-face and encourage them to talk to their neighbors, rather than just contacting campaign headquarters. Now, Obama and community organizers aim to continue engaging these communities through a new organization called OFA 2.0 that will provide support for locally-led initiatives. Their goal is a "national, grassroots-driven renewal of civic engagement." Community organizers hope this will combine the best of community organizing and electoral politics to sustain citizen engagement.
This document provides an overview of procedural justice and police legitimacy in St. Louis. It discusses how police use of procedural justice can help build legitimacy and cooperation from communities. The document then reviews crime and disorder issues in St. Louis, highlighting problems of racial disparities and unfair treatment found in Ferguson. It argues that through fair treatment, appropriate discretion, and community engagement, police can help establish legitimacy, especially in minority communities that have experienced discrimination.
The presenting problem is a lack of transportation equity in Sacramento. Public transportation is not affordable or accessible for many low-income residents, restricting their ability to get to jobs, services, and other opportunities. The Guest Action Committee at Wellspring Women's Center identified transportation as a major issue impacting their clientele. The document provides relevant history on transportation funding and equity issues. It analyzes differences in how Regional Transit and social service organizations approach problem solving. Communication patterns at Regional Transit tend to be impersonal and exclusionary compared to a more cooperative approach taken by organizations like Wellspring Women's Center.
The group chose the right to be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation as it relates to their topic of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse exploits a child's innocence and can be caused by parental neglect. Communities can honor this right by enforcing stiff penalties for abusers, spreading awareness of the impacts of abuse, and donating money to improve treatment and support for victims. Both local and global communities must take steps to prevent the exploitation of children.
The document discusses social crimes against women globally. It notes that while laws and policies have been implemented to protect women, abuse remains widespread. Women often lack awareness of their rights or courage to act against abuse. Forced sterilization also targets poor, minority and disabled women. The articles analyzed show partner violence disproportionately affects immigrant Latin American women due to attitudes of tolerance and victim blaming. Media also plays a negative role by portraying women as offenders. Overall, more must be done to educate women and enforce laws protecting them from social injustices.
The document discusses current methods used to maintain custody and control of inmates in correctional facilities. It outlines several challenges to maintaining order, including inmate violence, gang activity, drug use, and overcrowding. Current methods to deter violence and ensure safety include improved staff screening and training, better classification of inmates, supermax facilities for problematic inmates, denying gang recognition, and making facilities more humane. However, more work still needs to be done to permanently address the underlying issues contributing to violence in prisons.
This presentation includes basic of PCOS their pathology and treatment and also Ayurveda correlation of PCOS and Ayurvedic line of treatment mentioned in classics.
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty,
International FDP on Fundamentals of Research in Social Sciences
at Integral University, Lucknow, 06.06.2024
By Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
বাংলাদেশের অর্থনৈতিক সমীক্ষা ২০২৪ [Bangladesh Economic Review 2024 Bangla.pdf] কম্পিউটার , ট্যাব ও স্মার্ট ফোন ভার্সন সহ সম্পূর্ণ বাংলা ই-বুক বা pdf বই " সুচিপত্র ...বুকমার্ক মেনু 🔖 ও হাইপার লিংক মেনু 📝👆 যুক্ত ..
আমাদের সবার জন্য খুব খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বই ..বিসিএস, ব্যাংক, ইউনিভার্সিটি ভর্তি ও যে কোন প্রতিযোগিতা মূলক পরীক্ষার জন্য এর খুব ইম্পরট্যান্ট একটি বিষয় ...তাছাড়া বাংলাদেশের সাম্প্রতিক যে কোন ডাটা বা তথ্য এই বইতে পাবেন ...
তাই একজন নাগরিক হিসাবে এই তথ্য গুলো আপনার জানা প্রয়োজন ...।
বিসিএস ও ব্যাংক এর লিখিত পরীক্ষা ...+এছাড়া মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চমাধ্যমিকের স্টুডেন্টদের জন্য অনেক কাজে আসবে ...
This presentation was provided by Steph Pollock of The American Psychological Association’s Journals Program, and Damita Snow, of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for the initial session of NISO's 2024 Training Series "DEIA in the Scholarly Landscape." Session One: 'Setting Expectations: a DEIA Primer,' was held June 6, 2024.
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This slide is special for master students (MIBS & MIFB) in UUM. Also useful for readers who are interested in the topic of contemporary Islamic banking.
A review of the growth of the Israel Genealogy Research Association Database Collection for the last 12 months. Our collection is now passed the 3 million mark and still growing. See which archives have contributed the most. See the different types of records we have, and which years have had records added. You can also see what we have for the future.
Executive Directors Chat Leveraging AI for Diversity, Equity, and InclusionTechSoup
Let’s explore the intersection of technology and equity in the final session of our DEI series. Discover how AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be used to support and enhance your nonprofit's DEI initiatives. Participants will gain insights into practical AI applications and get tips for leveraging technology to advance their DEI goals.
A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
The simplified electron and muon model, Oscillating Spacetime: The Foundation...RitikBhardwaj56
Discover the Simplified Electron and Muon Model: A New Wave-Based Approach to Understanding Particles delves into a groundbreaking theory that presents electrons and muons as rotating soliton waves within oscillating spacetime. Geared towards students, researchers, and science buffs, this book breaks down complex ideas into simple explanations. It covers topics such as electron waves, temporal dynamics, and the implications of this model on particle physics. With clear illustrations and easy-to-follow explanations, readers will gain a new outlook on the universe's fundamental nature.
How to Fix the Import Error in the Odoo 17Celine George
An import error occurs when a program fails to import a module or library, disrupting its execution. In languages like Python, this issue arises when the specified module cannot be found or accessed, hindering the program's functionality. Resolving import errors is crucial for maintaining smooth software operation and uninterrupted development processes.
1. NATIONAL FORUM OF TEACHER EDUCATION JOURNAL
VOLUME 19, NUMBER 3, 2009
1
Where Have all the Heroes Gone?
Solving the Puzzle of Gang Violence
in Our Communities and Schools
Patricia Holmes, PhD
Assistant Professor of Education
Texas A&M University – San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
James Holmes
Executive Director
Youth Institute of San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
David E. Herrington, PhD
Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Texas A&M University – San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
William Allan Kritsonis, PhD
Professor of Educational Leadership
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX
ABSTRACT
This article provides a perspective on the pervasive problem of gang violence that
continues to disrupt our communities throughout the United States. Gang violence robs
families of safe neighborhoods and it exacerbates the school drop-out problem. The
authors provide a perspective from both community and academic perspectives, providing
the reader with essential vocabulary and vignettes to enrich understanding. Finally the
authors propose a systems approach that engages individual community members from
various constituencies to connect in ways that leverage their efforts to attack the root
causes of gang violence. The authors characterized this boundary-spanning role as
“connectors” and “heroes.”
Introduction
In 2008 along Blaine St. on the East side of San Antonio, a 15 year-old boy was gunned
down in the middle of the street. One week later, gang members came back to shoot the boy’s
cousin. At the funeral home police had to be posted on street corners as others cruised in patrol
cars. They noticed that some people were dressed in red; and many grieving faces had known
gang ties. This scenario is current but not any different than scenarios that we have seen in our
community during the past ten years. The following lecture is to show that not only is gang
violence not new, it is growing and is pervasive within our communities, and we can combat it
only when we connect with each other in courageous, heroic ways.
2. PATRICIA HOLMES, JAMES HOLMES, DAVID E. HERRINGTON, WILIAM ALLAN KRITSONIS
2____________________________________________________________________________________________
Purpose of the Article
The purpose of this article is to make you more keenly aware of the on-going and
worsening problem of violence in our communities and schools and to challenge the reader to
become engaged as proactive “connectors” or “heroes” who can limit the viability of gangs,
addressing the fundamental causes of decisions to join gangs. This article represents a collection
of addresses written and presented to teachers, parents, administrators, and students over a period
of years. The resounding call is for greater efforts by all parts of the community to connect with
each other in new and unprecedented ways with a sense of urgency and caring – to demonstrate
courage. The authors see this kind of creative and unreserved connecting at all levels, across all
groups, as nothing less than heroic. These lectures are dedicated to the hero in each of us that
reaches out a helping hand to address the fundamental causes of gang violence in our
neighborhoods and schools.
The Problem
Being frightened, scared, and unwilling to look at the problem is how many community
members react to gangs. The truth is they fear retaliation. Gangs are responsible for terrorizing
our community; however, we often look the other way. Meanwhile, we hear daily accounts from
news reporters who recount senseless acts of violence about drive-by-shootings. These acts result
in ‘gunning down” innocent people within the household or at the wrong house altogether.
Gangs are a serious problem to society, and we are all members of the society for which
we live. Just take a look at the demographics. Where are the gangs living today? Many of them
are living in our communities; in all parts of the city. Gangs are no longer an inner city problem,
or an urban problem, or a rural problem. Gangs are everyone’s problem and they are
everywhere. We, as members of our community, must take a stand and say, “Enough is enough!”
Graffiti is a major problem that is brought about by gang activity. Graffiti is used as a
way for gangs to communicate and mark their territory or “turf”. Graffiti is very visible and can
be seen everywhere; on fences, mailboxes, overpasses, storefronts, and on abandoned houses.
Graffiti is usually the first sign that there is going to be a gang problem or violence in the area.
What are we, as community members, doing about it?
After talking with many “gang bangers,” it becomes obvious that they are trying to rule
their communities by setting up their territory and letting other “gang bangers” know that this is
their territory and that they need to stay out. When asking a “gang banger” for the definition of a
gang, they explain it as, a group of people who “bang,” by fighting or killing others, for different
“colors” and they explain that they “have each others’ backs” regardless of what the case or
situation may be. They tend to “hang” together reinforcing what they believe their views of life
should be. As generations pass, the street gangs are becoming younger, more violent, and totally
committed to the gang and gang lifestyle by participating in assault, manslaughter, drug-related
crimes, arson, and drive-by shootings. Again, what are we, as community members, doing about
it?
Another group of individuals are called “taggers” or “tagging crews.” These individuals
go around crossing out graffiti in order to gain notoriety. This group may or may not be
associated with a gang, but they choose slogans, names, and graphics in an attempt to create an
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identity in the area. Many “gang bangers” dislike and do not associate with “taggers” because
they feel that “taggers” are a nuisance. Most “tagger” crimes would be considered vandalism.
Their targets are often highly visible benches, walls, freeways, and public transportation areas.
Again, what are we, as community members, doing about it? Although law enforcement is doing
their part, we as a community MUST step up and do our part.
The Cycle of Violence in Our Community
Every 28 minutes a violent crime is committed in our community. It is almost
incomprehensible to believe that also every 28 minutes, approximately 51 times each day,
someone is threatened, assaulted, injured or murdered! Unfortunately, we often give ourselves
excuses as to why these violent crimes take place. We make excuses about why it’s happening,
and then look the other way. Why do we look the other way? We look the other way out of
FEAR!
Because we live in a multicultural society, we are faced with working together to
understand why the increase in violence, substance abuse, gangs, graffiti, vandalism and other
crimes are happening. It is because we, the people of the community, are not taking a stand to
combat the problem.
As violence becomes more associated with particular communities, the businesses
located in that area begin to move out of the area which ultimately reduces the property values of
the homes. As for the surrounding areas, the gangs claim the territory that encompasses the
abandoned storefronts and office buildings. It is because they claim these areas that other gangs
are no longer allowed to cross this path, which creates violence and gang activity. It is out of fear
that the parents of these youth are afraid to complain to the authorities. They fear that if they
snitch, something will happen to innocent people in their community, as well as to them.
Meet Jack. He is 20 years old, and he is living below the poverty level on the northeast
side of the city with his pregnant girlfriend and her two toddlers. The majority of their
neighborhood consists of apartment buildings along with some single-family houses.
Unfortunately, many who live in this neighborhood are on income support payments, or are
working in low-paying jobs that people work just long enough for a quick fix. But there is no
excuse for the violence!
Families in the community have been in fear for decades, but it is imperative that we stop
the fear. We need to empower the people in the community to take action at the local, state and
federal levels. They must be more accountable to the people. We, as parents, must talk to our city
councilman and put more emphasis and attention on the needs for jobs for our youth and
productive activities that would serve to curb crime down in the community.
We, as parents, must reach out to all young people to begin to understand the cause of
their anger and how we can help them to effectively deal with conflicts that transpire in such
violent rage. We must work together in a collaborative spirit, and work with faith-based
institutions, community leaders, clergyman, law enforcement, and the city council to gain a
better understanding and perspective on how together we can develop a comprehensive program
in throughout their respective community.
A community mobilization effort is needed to raise awareness of the problem because
these problems mostly exist in those from a lower socioeconomic status, however, not always.
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The urban areas tend to bear a disproportionate high burden of violence. Many of these children
have been exposed to violence from their childhood, so they grow up with anger, fear, and
depression. Additionally, they may have negative parental exposure to people they have come in
contact with.
Let's take a look at developing some effective community programs, and try to look at
other key factors that can ultimately prevent the cycle of violence in our community.
• First we must identify the problem
• It is essential to have a community mobilization effort to raise awareness
• Provide training for all community people both volunteers and professional
• Empower the community to take active leadership and responsibility
• Implement activities that are targeted at high risk groups in different settings
• Work with school administrators to provide effective after school programs.
• Work closely with your local community centers to provide sports programs
• Have a program set up in the community for those who are most at risk
• Ensure that parents are actively involved in these programs
• Set up and schedule community meetings with law enforcement and area
government officials
• Support and involve churches throughout the target community
• Schedule and provide in-service training for all teachers and staff involved
Let's Look at Gang Behavior
In a recent conversation with behavioral health professionals, concerns were expressed in
regard to what is happening among our youth and gang activity. The following is what I learned.
First and foremost what they revealed was a lack of parental guidance and involvement. Many of
today's youth have very little to no home supervision. Through no fault of their own, many of
the youths come from low socio-economic areas where large numbers of children suffer from
low self-esteem compounded by educational difficulties.
Health professionals talk about the lack of emotional support these youth seem to have,
as well as the lack of positive role models available to them. These youth often come from
single-parent households where discipline rarely is enforced. The child visualizes themselves as
adults, therefore, they refuse to listen to their parent or guardian.
These youth are often made to believe, that they are responsible for providing support to
the family. This leads to anger, resentment and bitterness. Other times these youth witness their
parent or parents struggling to make ends meet. They realize that there isn't enough money, food,
love or resources to go around. They feel helpless and the angry, as resentment, bitterness, and
despair continue to grow.
Due to a breakdown in the family structure, coupled with poverty, these youth look to
gang involvement for security and protection, which provides them with a sense of belonging.
The gang becomes a “family” to them. They provide them with money, love, and attention – the
very things they are lacking at home. This makes them feel good about themselves because they
are getting their needs met.
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However, after a period of time, the gang begins to make “small” requests or favors from
them, which leads to hostile and antisocial behavior. Most often, the first signs are initiated
within the community, where dysfunction already exists. Eventually the behavior is then carried
over into the elementary and middle schools where children begin to mimic their older siblings.
The younger children begin to dress in the identified gang attire to be more like their older
sibling. Eventually they begin writing graffiti on their books and becoming extremely resentful
towards authority.
At a very young age these elementary and middle school children form groups, just like
gangs do, and they take on names. They eventually pressure other children at school to become a
part of their group. In other words, they become bullies to the other children.
Several of these youth have older siblings who are first or second generation gang
members. Getting involved with the gang becomes a natural progression to them, because they
are familiar with the gang members and their activities. Many have witnessed shootings and
killings. In many instances, they have seen their own family members murdered by drive-by
shootings and street fights.
The following are key indicators that youth may be headed toward gang membership:
• Poor progress in school
• Truancy from school
• Too much leisure time and a lack of organized activities
• Behavior problems at home
• Dressing down in gang attire and jewelry
• Use of a nickname
• Puts tattoos or brands self
• Frequent and negative contact with police
• Signs of tobacco, alcohol, or drug use
What you can do
If you are aware of the beginnings of gang behavior in your children, you can make a
difference. As a parent, be involved in the lives of your children. Take an interest in their
school. Be aware of their surroundings and who their friends are. Connect with Student
Advocates within the school. Connect with school counselors and social workers. Talk to your
children’s teachers about their school work and their behavior. Discuss your concerns with your
clergy. Community center advocates who know your children should also be consulted. Interact
with police officers who are knowledgeable about your area. Talk to your children about the
positive things in their lives. Listen to them without judgment. Build a relationship that will
make them feel comfortable talking with you about anything – positive or negative.
As a school official, whether teachers, counselors, or administrators, initiate conversation
with parents about things that you observe or suspect might indicate gang involvement. Break
the isolation and reach out to the parents in a concerned but non-judgmental way. Listen to
students as they talk about their lives and the issues they face. Encourage them seek help and
support from other adults. Model the kind of behavior that will cause to trust you and to trust
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adults. Make yourself more and more aware of the subtle indications that a student is drifting
into or displaying signs of gang involvement. Teachers need to become more involved in the
community where the children live. Become a part of it. Visit the neighborhoods and homes of
your students.
Clergy, business and community leaders must mobilize resources and be pro-active in
raising community awareness about the violence in the community. They must take stand – they
must step up and take the community back. Meetings with law enforcement officials,
neighborhood watch groups, and parents will go a long way toward resolving the issue of
community violence. Parents must be receptive and cooperative in accepting help from these
entities so that they can save their children.
Never in history has the raising of children been more troublesome that in today’s
stressful and pragmatic society. The increase in parents working multiple jobs outside the home
to make ends meet, unfulfilled marriages ending in divorce, unemployment leading to poverty
and homelessness, all play a role in taking children into an endless cycle of quick fixes that
include violence, stealing, alcohol, and drugs. Only when parents, school officials, and
community leaders take courageous steps forward to end the isolation and reach out to each other
and to the children will this cycle of violence come to an end. When we connect with each other
in a bold and intentional way to save our children, in a very real sense, we all become heroes.