In response to Stephanie's post on youth violence, I have to agree with her statement: "We need to address the root of the problem." Growing up in Dorchester, I have seen first-hand many of the depravities she factually stated. I also must agree that the government is not doing much (though it has helped a little) to improve the situation.
However, what I do not entirely agree with is the solutions to the problems. It is one thing to be indirectly connected to these atrocities, and read about them in newspapers. It's an entirely different thing to be close friends with people who have been killed, who have been raped, and to be offered drugs while sitting on the front steps of my house. But being in this situation - knowing these people - has given me insight into how to improve (though certainly not fix) the current situations.
On the street that I live, there's a gang of about twenty guys between the ages of 14-19. Their rivals are the gang that hangs out on the other side of Dudley Street (a main street in Dorchester), the Wendover Gang. The thing about these gangs is that the individual guys within them are really loving and caring guys. I know some of them personally, have been to their houses, and eaten dinner with their families. They aren't apart of a gang because they're inherently evil, it's much more simple; it's fear.
They're afraid of what's going to happen to them, of not being able to support themselves or a family. So I disagree with Stephanie on this point: encouraging families and teaching guys their duties in the home isn't going to do anything. They don't need more people coming from the outside and preaching at them.
The only way to help the situation is to gain the trust of the people we want to help. And that is not a simple thing to do. Residents here are extremely suspicious of "outsiders," especially white ones. Too many times have people come in to "help the cause!," but then quickly leave. It causes a huge amount of distrust, which has become engrained in the society. But once that trust is tested and gained, there is a fierce loyalty. I know, for a fact, that any of the guys on my street would - and do - protect me. So, while it's great that people want to help, trust needs to be built.
Also, people can't assume about the needs of a neighborhood. Often what happens is that a group of people living in other areas suddenly get this great idea to come help - the thing is, is that they usually just clean up playgrounds or sidewalks. While they feel like they deserve a pat on the back (and they might), in all honesty, the people living there don't usually notice whether the leaves have been picked up or not.
The biggest problem in Dorchester, actually, isn't violence or even a lack of funds, it's a lack of knowledge in finances. I know this may sound completely strange, but it's true. People don't know how to handle money and income, and places like Rent-A-Center and check cashing businesses feed off this. The media hype is that people need more to be happy - a new car, TV, stereo - and they buy into these "Get Now, Pay Later" schemes. What would be most beneficial to this neighborhood isn't to pour more money in, to fix up playgrounds, or to "encourage," it's to teach people how to handle their money to improve their lives.
3 comments:
I agree with Alex about the lack of knowledge in finances. There are multiple reasons the youth in the city turn to violence. Family care is one of the major issues. Many family issues begin with financial issues. So many people in these neighborhoods fall for the "Get now, pay later" schemes. When later comes and they can't pay, everyone begins to stress out. Spouses begin to fight, divorce comes soon after and then the children who grow up witnessing all this and usually want to take better care of their families. Involvement in violence is often one of the "easiest ways out."
This is really insightful Alex. As basically the perfect example of the outsider described in you post, I would have though that the problem was caused by lack of resources. But your statement that money management is a primary cause of the problems in neighborhoods like Dorchester makes a lot of sense.
Alex- I agree with you completely. I just want to clarify a bit: I don't think we need to "go in and preach at" anybody. I believe family reform is necessary throughout our culture; I don't think we need to bring in a bunch of white suburban families to show those Dorchester miscreants how it's done. I believe that the demise of the family largescale in the States is contributing to inner-city violence, as it contributes to suburban violence (hello, Columbine), the high incidences of eating disorders and depression in teens, and the oversexed behavior of teens. By talking about "the root of the problem", I'm talking really large-scale-- the problem of a full culture, not just a neighborhood.
That being said, I have to say I really admire what your family's doing in inner-city ministry. I think it's wonderful that you're in the neighborhood, interacting with your neighbors. It's inspiring, and I'm sure it is impacting immensely.
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