Comments on: Why Children Join Gangs http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/2007/09/09/why-children-join-gangs/ I use this blog to provide safety, self-defense, and security information, addressing topics such as domestic abuse, teen violence, and violent crime prevention. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:55:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mike Raccoon Eyes http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/2007/09/09/why-children-join-gangs/#comment-224754 Mike Raccoon Eyes Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:33:01 +0000 http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/?p=230#comment-224754 TEACHING THE VALUES OF PEACE TO YOUTH By: Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney As a Cherokee Native American Activist and a former member of the Richmond California Violence Prevention Movement, I have seen close to 515 homicides in the City of Richmond from 2001 to the present. The declaration of a 'war on violence' by the Richmond city government was not the panacea, instead it failed miserably. I have often stated in town hall meetings and on television, the best way to win the 'war on violence' in Richmond is to 'TEACH THE VALUES OF PEACE'. In the killing fields of Richmond, most of the victims of homicides are youth or young adults. Teaching the values of peace begins with our youth and young adults. From a Native perspective, winning the war on violence begins in the home with a strong, spiritual belief and value system. We believe that Creator made all generations, past, present and those of the future, holy people. This is what our Elders teach us from the time we are born. Our families and Elders teach our young people that they must tear away the images and stereotypes that mainstream society has placed upon them as Native peoples. Violence and killing is not traditional in Native culture, it is a learned behavior from mainstream society. We teach our youths not to attack, punish or beat themselves up for crimes that they have never committed in regards to racism. Our Elders and families teach our young people to have good self-esteem, self-worth and self-value, for as the original holy people this was Creators plan. Native people know that it is both family and community responsibility to teach the values of peace to our young people. We teach our young people honesty and accountability concerning violence. It begins with accepting responsibility for self and acknowledging any past use of violence. Admitting any wrongdoing, communicating openly and truthfully to renounce the use of violence in the future places our youth on the right path. We place a heavy emphasis that all life is sacred. The final lesson in teaching the values of peace is quite simple. It is helping young people understand their relationship to others and all things in Creation. Be responsible for your role, act with compassion and respect, and remember ALL LIFE IS SACRED. Native culture is prevention! Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney TEACHING THE VALUES OF PEACE TO YOUTH

By: Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney

As a Cherokee Native American Activist and a former member of the Richmond California Violence Prevention Movement, I have seen close to 515 homicides in the City of Richmond from 2001 to the present.

The declaration of a ‘war on violence’ by the Richmond city government was not the panacea, instead it failed miserably.

I have often stated in town hall meetings and on television, the best way to win the ‘war on violence’ in Richmond is to ‘TEACH THE VALUES OF PEACE’.

In the killing fields of Richmond, most of the victims of homicides are youth or young adults. Teaching the values of peace begins with our youth and young adults. From a Native perspective, winning the war on violence begins in the home with a strong, spiritual belief and value system.

We believe that Creator made all generations, past, present and those of the future, holy people. This is what our Elders teach us from the time we are born.

Our families and Elders teach our young people that they must tear away the images and stereotypes that mainstream society has placed upon them as Native peoples.

Violence and killing is not traditional in Native culture, it is a learned behavior from mainstream society.

We teach our youths not to attack, punish or beat themselves up for crimes that they have never committed in regards to racism. Our Elders and families teach our young people to have good self-esteem, self-worth and self-value, for as the original holy people this was Creators plan.

Native people know that it is both family and community responsibility to teach the values of peace to our young people.

We teach our young people honesty and accountability concerning violence. It begins with accepting responsibility for self and acknowledging any past use of violence.

Admitting any wrongdoing, communicating openly and truthfully to renounce the use of violence in the future places our youth on the right path. We place a heavy emphasis that all life is sacred.

The final lesson in teaching the values of peace is quite simple. It is helping young people understand their relationship to others and all things in Creation.

Be responsible for your role, act with compassion and respect, and remember ALL LIFE IS SACRED. Native culture is prevention!

Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney

]]> By: anita http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/2007/09/09/why-children-join-gangs/#comment-197057 anita Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:23:08 +0000 http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/?p=230#comment-197057 you have a very interesting blog and it has given me some ideas for the Shawnee Westside Neighborhood Watch. Thanks for bloging on these subjects. you have a very interesting blog and it has given me some ideas for the Shawnee Westside Neighborhood Watch. Thanks for bloging on these subjects.

]]> By: Richard Cole http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/2007/09/09/why-children-join-gangs/#comment-192409 Richard Cole Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:27:58 +0000 http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/?p=230#comment-192409 I just want to tell you that I am sitting at my desk with two graduate students from Taiwan who are interested in gang violence in the United States. We stumbled upon this blog and found your comments to be extremely thoughtful and helpful as one of the students is going to study news related to gang violence this semester. Thanks you I just want to tell you that I am sitting at my desk with two graduate students from Taiwan who are interested in gang violence in the United States. We stumbled upon this blog and found your comments to be extremely thoughtful and helpful as one of the students is going to study news related to gang violence this semester. Thanks you

]]> By: Sinn http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/2007/09/09/why-children-join-gangs/#comment-161673 Sinn Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:02:34 +0000 http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/?p=230#comment-161673 Totally agree with you on this one, except legalising drugs. Somehow cant imagine that concept in my head. Totally agree with you on this one, except legalising drugs.
Somehow cant imagine that concept in my head.

]]> By: hoteluri bucuresti http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/2007/09/09/why-children-join-gangs/#comment-6147 hoteluri bucuresti Sat, 06 Oct 2007 14:28:03 +0000 http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/?p=230#comment-6147 yes, indeed, i guess this is a common problem for our children. more and more kids take this unhealty and dangerous tipe of life. the only way we can prevent this is take care of a good communications with them, showing them the dangers that are exposed to by joining gangs yes, indeed, i guess this is a common problem for our children. more and more kids take this unhealty and dangerous tipe of life. the only way we can prevent this is take care of a good communications with them, showing them the dangers that are exposed to by joining gangs

]]> By: Erica http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/2007/09/09/why-children-join-gangs/#comment-5794 Erica Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:40:54 +0000 http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/?p=230#comment-5794 I think families need to stick together more. In other societies, extended families provide a safety for children. In the small nuclear found in the states, that just doesn't happen. With both parents working, many kids have no one to turn to except other kids. I think families need to stick together more. In other societies, extended families provide a safety for children. In the small nuclear found in the states, that just doesn’t happen. With both parents working, many kids have no one to turn to except other kids.

]]> By: Lina Trivedi http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/2007/09/09/why-children-join-gangs/#comment-5602 Lina Trivedi Tue, 11 Sep 2007 08:02:09 +0000 http://scottsafetyshop.com/blog/?p=230#comment-5602 Interesting - I live in a community that has drugs and all the elements (to as much of a degree as possible in Madison, WI), and I can say I think that it takes a community to address issues within a community. Check out my blog when you have a chance - it's a lot of the same issues from another view ... Interesting – I live in a community that has drugs and all the elements (to as much of a degree as possible in Madison, WI), and I can say I think that it takes a community to address issues within a community. Check out my blog when you have a chance – it’s a lot of the same issues from another view …

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