Recently, I have been reevaluating my view of gangs. I was in a meeting a few weeks ago with a collection of school administrators and social workers discussing the growing youth violence in Chicago and St. Louis. One of the participants passionately said, "we must get rid of the gangs!" I found the remark short sighted and insulting. At the time, I didn't understand why I was offended. I just knew that something else needed to be understood. I don't know a lot about gangs but I know enough to know that they are much too complex and necessary to just "get rid of them."
In Session Six of Character Chess "Flock Together", we discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and are willing to stand with and protect you. Recently, This American Life, from WBEZ Chicago, aired an episode on Harper High School. This program will upgrade your understanding of gangs. It explores eight strategies youth use to stay alive in Chicago. The first rule, "know your geography and who controls what blocks," explains that everyone belongs to gang. Few people, if any, can avoid belonging to a gang. This program is ground breaking and extremely disturbing.
In Session Six of Character Chess "Flock Together", we discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and are willing to stand with and protect you. Recently, This American Life, from WBEZ Chicago, aired an episode on Harper High School. This program will upgrade your understanding of gangs. It explores eight strategies youth use to stay alive in Chicago. The first rule, "know your geography and who controls what blocks," explains that everyone belongs to gang. Few people, if any, can avoid belonging to a gang. This program is ground breaking and extremely disturbing.
| We spent five months at Harper High School in Chicago, where last year alone 29 current and recent students were shot. 29. We went to get a sense of what it means to live in the midst of all this gun violence, how teens and adults navigate a world of funerals and Homecoming dances. We found so many incredible and surprising stories, this show is a two-parter; you can listen to Part Two here. | Visit |
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