| Written by Kenneth Miller, (Managing Editor), on 03-20-2008 15:19 |
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Page 2 of 2 According to the 2000 national census, 39 percent of African Americans lived in the suburbs, up from 34 percent in 1990. But as more families moved out of the inner city, so did gang members who began to terrorize their new areas and threaten the quiet lifestyle many expected when they moved there. Now kids and young adults are facing the fear of having to look over their shoulder as they walk certain streets or avoid the growing pressure to join a gang to find a sense of security. In cities like Pasadena, Palmdale, Monrovia and Long Beach, police and city officials now have to address the rising issues of gang violence. The question that demands an answer is not just “why?” but “what”—as in what has contributed to rise of gang violence in these areas. “I feel that it’s a combination of the education system, lack of jobs and a lack of skills to enable men and women to be competitive [in their new surroundings],” Pasadena Councilwoman Jacque Robinson said. Robinson added that she feels the ongoing cycle of these inadequacies have led more people to join a gang and with multiple members of families sometimes involved, the decision becomes easier. There are several possible reasons but many of the leaders who offered comments pointed back to the glaring problems of education and socio-economic stagnation that often drive youth to this dangerous lifestyle. Their solution—invest more money in schools and diversion programs instead of beefing up law enforcement and the criminal justice system. “We must invest in our public schools and we have to make college more affordable so that young people will see the possibility of leading productive lives,” Congresswoman Laura Richardson said. “The unintended consequences of soundly educating the poor and less fortunate people among us show in studies after studies there are improvements in health, increases in income and the lessening in street violence and crime,” said William Zeigler, president of the Seaside (Monterey) branch of the NAACP.
Last update: 03-20-2008 15:21
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