There has been an effort to suppress gangs. This effort has failed and in fact has had the opposite effect!!! - this latest justice policy report reveals.
Hmmm.... is anyone surprised? I kinda am. But again, I kinda ain't.
So is anyone surprised that Al Queda has significantly grown and world terrorism has been on the increase since 911 and the "war on terror?"
Something counter-intuitive is happening here. The fact is that if you DON'T arrest kids in gangs they generally cause no crimes and leave the gang basically unscathed in about 12 months time. If you DO arrest (lock-up, put-away, get 'em off-the-streets) these same kids - you lock them into a gang identity forever removing their otherwise normal chances of a healthy productive life - for life!
This report reveals that gangs are not nearly the problem hyped up as by the news and police propaganda. And instead reinforcment of gang activity takes place by adding more cops to the streets and "cracking down" on the "gang problem."
Who would've thunk it?
Should someone mail this report to President Bush? Or is it too late? Have we already set into motion the dividing lines and locked in hatred from 1000s if not 1,000,000s of angry young muslims around the world.
Will our future be like in those dark anti-utopic sci-fi worlds we see in movies where everything is unstable and currents of violence and hatred lurk around each corner?
And what wise man will step forward and see that love, kindness, understanding, and even forgiveness can change a heart and soul? - not force and defeat of enemy. (I could be wrong here.)
Hey, isn't this kind of what that one famous guy said - "love your enemies" . What was his name again. Oh yeah, Jesus.
But isn't some of these main supporters of this war on terror Christian based? Hmmmmm.... Maybe they're not Christians like in "Jesus-said-to-do-this" kind of Christianity.
Here's a quote I liked from the report:
Further, the thrust of most gang enforcement efforts
runs counter to what is known about gangs and
gang members, rendering the efforts ineffectual if not
counterproductive. Police officials make much of targeting
reputed “leaders” while ignoring the fact that
most gangs do not need leaders to function (not to
mention the risk that removal of leaders will increase
violence by destabilizing the gang and removing constraints
on internal conflict). Research on the dynamics
of gang membership indicates that suppression
tactics intended to make youth “think twice” about
gang involvement may instead reinforce gang cohesion,
elevating the gang’s importance and reinforcing
an “us versus them” mentality. Finally, the incarceration
of gang members is often considered a measure
of success, even though prison tends to solidify gang
involvement and weaken an individual’s capacity to
live a gang- and crime-free life.
Put the words "terrorist organization" in the above quote where the words "gang" are.
This is an excellent topic and I hope that many people read it - especially Christians.
ReplyDeleteI suppose my hoping that many people read this might some how wake people up, change their minds or, if nothing else, give food for thought.
This report does, at first, seem counter intuitive but if one understands the human physique (heart/instinct) then perhaps it's not so absurd. We are at heart pure survivalists who care about little more than satisfying our own selfish desires. We also seek an identity, approval and validation. All of these characteristics usually, if left unchecked, will cause us to kill ourselves - which we are. I think Roger Waters hits the nail on the head when he says that "given enough rope, we will just "F" it up."
But unchecked doesn't mean we need law enforcement to watch our every move. I honestly do not trust our nations law enforcement nor our justice system. It is largely corrupt - don't be in denial about it either.
When I say unchecked I mean living with God in our heart. And Mitch, you are not wrong. Why do you even say you could be? And it is horribly ironic that so many Christians claim to know the Lord and His Holy Son Christ Jesus but will insist that war, killing and whatever evil behavior they justify is perfectly legitimate. This kind of thought and belief is absolutely contradicting to Christ. Did Christ strike back or kill anyone? NO! Christ set the example to live by in all contexts including war.
Christians have asked me would I strike back, would I kill if someone wronged me in the most horrific way. And I always respond "NO, and I pray that the Lord would never test me in such a way." But I have faith that the Lord will provide me with an amount of Grace that would be sufficient to sustain me.
I seriously believe that if every single person in our entire country began tomorrow to genuinely believe in Christ and in His Holy message and faithfully lived it. There wouldn't be a single conflict for us to worry about because we would have God on our side and there is no better ally.
But I believe in the Bible; I believe in everything it says and stands for. And with all my heart and faith, I live it. So to all you Christians who think war or anything that evolves killing and non rehabilitating incarceration is legitimate, I beg you to change your hearts and quickly too.
Great post Mitch! I encourage you to continue to challenge our bothers and sisters who are in the body of Christ and the ones who think they are.
Wow.. that's a good invocation, David - "... all you Christians who think war involving killing is legitamate (my re-render)" - pretty good start of a statement.
ReplyDeleteSo we'll ask them to change their hearts?
Have you heard Roger Waters' song entitled "Bravery of Being Out of Range?"
Though I believe that our heart is a notorious liar. Our heart can be a good compass from time to time but ultimately we should rely on the Holy Spirit to give us guidance. But, once we begin to follow The Spirit, The Spirit will ultimately change our hearts. Our hearts will become more receptive to God's will which encompasses love and nothing but love. So, when I say we should change our hearts, I'm really saying learn to listen and do as God would so our hearts will change.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I've heard that song or not - I only have one of his albums. I appreciate what he has to say and how he says it too. I've never got around to listening to more of his music. I'll look it up though. Frankly, I haven't researched music for a very long time. I hardly listen to it any more either at home or in the car - I prefer silence now. The only time I hear music is when Meg puts on one of her Wilco or whatever discs.