| | Gangs and America's schools
by Douglas A. Clay , Frank D. Aquila ONCE THE exclusive concern of poor neighborhoods in our large cities, youth street gangs have lately inspired an almost paralyzing fear in both suburban and rural middle-class communities across the nation. Somehow the perception has been created that corporate gangs, such as the Bloods and the Crips, threaten to take over our schools. In this article we explore whether this perceived threat is genuine or whether it is merely the product of a growing paranoia that is being fed by those who profit from society's terrible fear of inner-city violence. IS THERE A PROBLEM? What is the definition of a gang? A gang is a group, often associated with a territory or turf," that shares a common identity and expresses membership through common clothing, symbols, and insignia. Such a description fits softball teams, professional tennis players, the Shriners, and fraternities and sororities. A more specific definition would also stipulate that the group be organized around some criminal activity. How, then, do we ascertain the organizational focus of a group of teenagers? Do we ask to read their mission statement? Must we peruse the minutes of their meetings? No. We judge criminal intent by criminal activity. Therefore, the question of whether your school has a "gang problem" is answered not by the existence of symbols or code words, but by the existence of crime. The unceasing publicity surrounding gangs and drugs has resulted in a widespread fear of violence in individual schools and school districts. Debates have raged about restricting so-called gang trademarks -- baseball caps, sports team jackets, earrings, and special hairstyles.[1] There seems to be a desperate need to confirm community fears of gang violence. But school administrators, teachers, parents, and police officers may in fact be overreacting to the gang problem. A somewhat analogous situation occurred in the 1960s. When school administrators observed long-haired students wearing tie-dyed clothing and love beads, they concluded that they had a serious drug problem in their schools. Readers with long memories will realize that this serious drug problem rarely, if ever, materialized. School board members, administrators, and teachers must remember that the wearing of "gang" clothing or the appearance of "gang" graffiti does not always translate into gang activity and crime. In reality, the so-called national spread of gang problems may be nothing more than another teenage fad -- the 1990s version of the hula hoop or the pet rock. Do students know gang language? Yes. They can certainly "spit the lit." Are they wearing baseball caps, jackets with the logos of sports teams, and gold jewelry? Again, yes. Do these signs mean that your school has a gang problem? Maybe. But it is important to remember the power of youth fads. The media -- through mass-market music and television, as well as through informational programming -- have helped to spread the gang phenomenon. Although difficult for some to remember, there was an explosion of graffiti and gang-style jackets after the release of the film version of West Side Story. Today, dance styles, catch phrases, and buzz words can spread across the nation almost overnight. We should avoid confusing pop culture with criminal intent. The important question -- and the question that is obscured by seminars on gang structure and lingo -- is, Has there been an increase in crime in my school? Cautions for Educators If you, as a decision maker in a school, see the trappings of gangs and you see a simultaneous increase in violence or student fear, then you have a gang problem. But remember that the actual increase in violence is the key -- not just fear or reaction to rumor and innuendo. Is it important to know what particular gang is involved? Is it important to know if this is a "real" gang or just some local wannabes? Probably not. A crime is a crime. If would-be, gang members (wannabes) are disrapting classes, destroying school property, and terrorizing students, is this less of a problem than if real," card-carrying gang members are committing the same offenses? It is small consolation to an assault victim to know that the assailant wasn't really a member of the Insane Gangster Disciples. A locker is just as broken into, an eye is just as blackened, a purse is just as stolen! The intensity of the focus on gang history and graffiti has reached ludicrous proportions. A good example of this over-reaction presented itself at a recent seminar for ... | |
To continue reading this publication, you must have a Questia Subscription.
