Asbury Park recently experience it's 7th murder in 2006. (see article). A 21-year old woman was killed by a single bullet to her head.
In most of these deaths, the victims were young people, and the crimes were gang-related.
Gangs? Bloods and Crips in Central New Jersey?
I am really having a hard time understanding how these gangs are becoming so popular in these small towns, as well as the larger cities. Yes, I realize the need for "family" and "community", but I have a hard time comprehending how a person can join a group that is potentially so deadly.
How does this happen and what can we do to protect our children?
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8 comments:
i have found that many of our young men and young women NEED to be a part of gangs for protection. yeah, it's dangerous being a member of a gang. but sometimes its more dangerous being a loner. have you ever watched the discovery channel. its the one off by himself that always gets attacked.
funny. i was just having this conversation today. i think one of the issues surrounding gang violence is that a huge number of these kids (not all, because we know some of these kids come from decent homes, but just want to be down) are the 2nd generation of the 'crack' era. the gang members grandparents didn't race their kids, and those kids, who lacked structure, guidance, discipline and support, had kids (the gang generation) without providing the proper nurture and support (b/c the didn't know how). now these kids of today are trying to fend for themselves and be grown the only way they know how... survival of the fittest.
hmmmm. What an interesting question. I think the answer can vary for every individual involved in gangs or gang violence, no situation is alike. There are a few bad apples in any group or organization in this world. Corrupt people are everywhere and violence has always existed. I don't think gangs are popular, I think our children are living in fear. They are afraid of dying, they are afraid of being hurt, they are afraid of being poor. The devil has these young men and women living in fear. And all because they are serving the God of this world: HIM. The devil blinds the minds of those who believe not. When you have no one to believe in, no Living, Almighty God to serve you will believe in anything. The bible states that a double minded is unstable in all his ways. These men and women are not double minded...THEY ARE BLIND. There is no immaculate solution and I am not all knowing. But....I do know God. Many of these young men and women (our children) do not know who they our culturally or spiritually. They are lacking in their knowledge of true wisdom and understanding, of who and what the most High God is and who we are as his children. I am not angry at these men and women, nor do I claim that any of you are. I can not claim that I have been working desperately to lead our children out of bondage, but I think on some level, those of us who care, are doing something. I'd like to talk about where we go next and who's willing to start a movement to help change the mindset of our children. It may sound corny, but I know that they are waiting for us. Nobody WANTS to live in fear. Everybody just wants to be loved. They are finding that love in a strange and dangerous place. God is love and he is the answer. Please email me with any responses at djfig7@hotmail.com. Thanks. PEACE AND BLESSINGS. DJENABA
See Djenaba you are saying the same thing people have been say for years.I do agree w/ somethings said, yet I feel none of this help unless we offer some type of resolution.Just telling them there scared and things about God is great but there still left w/ the question of, "What's next?" Next time you speak on things like this please try to and provide direction.Let them know what can be done.I feel you have alot to say and it will be very helpful to many, but i just wanted to let you know where i feel you could do more. "You can give a child a bible, but if they aren't taught how to read the book is worthless to them."
This is an issue that many people deal w/ daily, and you never know how serious it is until it hits close to home.I think it first starts w/ the parents;to go so far as just warning your kids about groups like this isn't doing enough these days.Me personality I think we need to pay more attention to the younth and instead of just telling them what there doing wrong and always barking down there necks; give them other options and avenues to take.Also get your kids involed in sports, music, or anything that gathers there attention.The purpose for this is to take up the idle time that have and give them something to put there extra time in energy into, however don't force them to chose one over another.You should try and leave the options as open as possible for the activity(I mean just because they are black doesn't mean they have to rap or play basketball).Don't be afriad to go outside the box. Like when it comes to sports, think about everything you never played; like hockey or golf.Try and get them involed in things that expands there mind as well, like wildlife, history, and more importantly black history.Help them understand things like polictics and the ecomony.Talks about the ecomony would really work good for a teen; due to the fact that around that age they began to want there own money.If they know how to make it the right way and then understand how there money can make money for them, that can have a lasting effect on them.Last but not least, parents please take time out from your daily grind and hustle and spend time w/ your kids; cause one thing is for sure, if you don't somebody will. Normally it isn't who you would perfer it to be......
Before anyone takes any action, I think it is important to recognize and understand the real issue(s). What may seems obvious on the surface could really be a completely different matter at the core.
I believe that EVERYONE wants to feel loved and feel like they are a part of something. When a person doesn't get love and a doesn't have a sense of 'belonging' from family members, they seek it out from other places (teams, groups, etc).
In this search, many of our young people have gotten burned by individuals that have exploited their desire for love/belonging. So not only do they not have what they're looking for, they also have a difficult time trusting anyone.
Often, when people are lonely, and hurting, their defense mechanism can actually take the form of offensive behavior. They lash out at people with little or no provocation. They injure, or kill others will little or no regard.
Essentially, these individuals have very little GENUINE self-esteem, and when you don't love yourself, it's hard to love anyone else.
I said all that to encourage us to work to identify the deeper issue(s). There is something at work at the core of an individual that would cause a person to be a part of something that he/she knows is destructive by nature.
HAving grown up in Asbury Park, I know that what ails the city now is that there is simply nothing for the youth to do. THere is sooo much attention on the
rebuilding of the waterfront that the young folks are being neglected. Yes, kids want to be a part of something, they have come from circles and circumstances that lead them in this negative direction. Many of the kids there are the results of broken homes, the drug trade and many other sort of ills. It is sad that the town that I grew up in, call home and always felt safe in is now liken to the wild, wild, west!
Kaz,
Aren't there youth programs, sports and activities in these areas? There has to be things for them to do.
I think the fact that there is no family structure in place to direct them and support them in these activities is the real problem.
Even in more suburban environments where there are plenty of things to do, the children that get in trouble are typically the ones that don't have a strong family support system.
Now you said something else...economics! The local government AS WELL AS the parents seem to spend more time trying to make money (either out of greed or necessity) than caring for our young people.
I've heard that most juvenile delinquent behavior, and most teenage sexual activity occurs between 3pm and 6pm! Kids are out of school, not involved in extra-curricular activities, and their parent(s)are not around to supervise.
Again, I believe at the root is the breakdown of the family, but we must factor in economic issues into the equation
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