Gangs
Gang activity has become such a huge issue for all of us. Some of us may say, no, not for me, but whether it's right in your back door, across the river, in the projects or down the street, it affects all of us in some form or another. Wake up people, look around you, where are your children, your spouse, your loved ones? Are you willing to help them, to love them in the midst of their situation or is it every man to thyself? If so, well God help us all.
What is a Gang? In my opinion, a Gang is a group of people coming together with the assumption that they are a brotherhood. What it really is: is our children, our loved ones. They have become a group of people who feel that society has turned its back on them; their families have let them down, their peers look down on them; and the misconception is they believe that this is where they can fit in and belong. Gang Violence is what they feel they need to do in order to fit in and be a part of.
So, where are we as a people and what are we doing to help correct that problem? Are we reaching out or are we looking down our noses even further at them, just trying to see how far down we can push them. The worst part of it is that some of these Gang members know that is not where they want to be, but with the feeling that there is no hope for them and no one loves them, they fall further and further on the wayside and their hearts become cold and vicious. I am not about to judge anyone, however, the question I will ask is: "What can we or are we willing to do to get our loved ones back? Before you answer the question, let us take a look into the lives of our loved ones as they try to fit into where they believe they belong.
Gangs operate in all shapes and forms and vary in size and structure. The habits and practices involve drugs, prostitution, production, transportation and distribution of illicit drugs and stolen property, weapons, alcoholism and violence. While there have been a heavy concentration in the inner cities and surrounding areas, rural and suburban areas have become a haven for those seeking to avoid the law, thereby infiltrating society in general with increased violence and threat.
Many school-aged children turn to gang activities because of the lack of proper parenting and support. Many of them feel their parents do not care or are not concerned with their activities or their whereabouts. Some leave home, feeling like they don't belong and in order to survive on the streets, feel the need to join a gang. Some start out smoking or using alcohol and drugs and in an effort to fund their habit, turn to prostitution and gangs. Some gang initiation activities range from the young women being consensually gang raped to others allowing themselves to take near-death beatings to vicious killings of the innocent. As an added measure of loyalty as a member, violence is often used as a deterrent to the code of conduct and any possible thought of leaving the gang. When a women subjects herself to such immoral activities to be a part of something, she has no self-esteem. Any human being who think they need to perform such horrid acts of violence on themselves or consent to it being performed on them has obviously reached a point in life where they consider they have no value. Let me tell you that you are so very wrong. I don't care what your situation or circumstance may be, God is able to bring you up from the place where you find yourself. Growing up I heard the older people say, "You may be down, but you are not dead." Pick yourself up and pray, seek God and make up in your mind that your life is going to change because you are going to stick it out and see God change it for you. We have become so complacent about life and want everything right here and right now, but we must learn to give it to God. Yes, I know it is easier said than done, because sometimes I struggle too, but all I do is mess myself up further when I try to do it on my own. Sometimes it seem like the wait is forever, because the pain seem so unbearable. This I know is sure -- when I give it to God and really, really do my best not to try to do it on my own, it is then that I see the hand of God move mightily in my life and in that situation. He doesn't only fix that situation, but he will make provision for other things in your life to turn around as well. He did it for me, so I know that I know that I know.
Some key signs to help in identifying when a person may have become involved in gang related activities are:
We must seek to rebuild the lives of our children and loved ones and bring them back to God. I know it is a tough task, but who better equipped than the parents and responsible family members? Talk with your child and your child's teacher or administrator. Be willing to hear criticism about your child and not be too quick to think you have to start a "I Know You Ain't Talking About My Child Drama". You child may be the model kid at home, especially when there is no sibling, but it does not mean they portrait those same behaviors when they are away from you and with their friends/peers.
Educate yourself and your family about the effects of their negative peer activity/affiliation on the family and their community. Do not ignore the signs. We are very good at ignoring the signs because we are hoping that it is not true and it will go away, but unless you do something, the problem will sit right there and balloon into something even bigger. Get help immediately and stand by that loved one. The more you push them away, the more they will think you do not care and it will open the door for them to get caught up in all the wrong things.
It is time for an intervention and to Intervene Now!
What is a Gang? In my opinion, a Gang is a group of people coming together with the assumption that they are a brotherhood. What it really is: is our children, our loved ones. They have become a group of people who feel that society has turned its back on them; their families have let them down, their peers look down on them; and the misconception is they believe that this is where they can fit in and belong. Gang Violence is what they feel they need to do in order to fit in and be a part of.
So, where are we as a people and what are we doing to help correct that problem? Are we reaching out or are we looking down our noses even further at them, just trying to see how far down we can push them. The worst part of it is that some of these Gang members know that is not where they want to be, but with the feeling that there is no hope for them and no one loves them, they fall further and further on the wayside and their hearts become cold and vicious. I am not about to judge anyone, however, the question I will ask is: "What can we or are we willing to do to get our loved ones back? Before you answer the question, let us take a look into the lives of our loved ones as they try to fit into where they believe they belong.
Gangs operate in all shapes and forms and vary in size and structure. The habits and practices involve drugs, prostitution, production, transportation and distribution of illicit drugs and stolen property, weapons, alcoholism and violence. While there have been a heavy concentration in the inner cities and surrounding areas, rural and suburban areas have become a haven for those seeking to avoid the law, thereby infiltrating society in general with increased violence and threat.
Many school-aged children turn to gang activities because of the lack of proper parenting and support. Many of them feel their parents do not care or are not concerned with their activities or their whereabouts. Some leave home, feeling like they don't belong and in order to survive on the streets, feel the need to join a gang. Some start out smoking or using alcohol and drugs and in an effort to fund their habit, turn to prostitution and gangs. Some gang initiation activities range from the young women being consensually gang raped to others allowing themselves to take near-death beatings to vicious killings of the innocent. As an added measure of loyalty as a member, violence is often used as a deterrent to the code of conduct and any possible thought of leaving the gang. When a women subjects herself to such immoral activities to be a part of something, she has no self-esteem. Any human being who think they need to perform such horrid acts of violence on themselves or consent to it being performed on them has obviously reached a point in life where they consider they have no value. Let me tell you that you are so very wrong. I don't care what your situation or circumstance may be, God is able to bring you up from the place where you find yourself. Growing up I heard the older people say, "You may be down, but you are not dead." Pick yourself up and pray, seek God and make up in your mind that your life is going to change because you are going to stick it out and see God change it for you. We have become so complacent about life and want everything right here and right now, but we must learn to give it to God. Yes, I know it is easier said than done, because sometimes I struggle too, but all I do is mess myself up further when I try to do it on my own. Sometimes it seem like the wait is forever, because the pain seem so unbearable. This I know is sure -- when I give it to God and really, really do my best not to try to do it on my own, it is then that I see the hand of God move mightily in my life and in that situation. He doesn't only fix that situation, but he will make provision for other things in your life to turn around as well. He did it for me, so I know that I know that I know.
Some key signs to help in identifying when a person may have become involved in gang related activities are:
- Changes in behavior at home and school. (Skipping school, negative peer affiliation)
- Drug and/or alcohol use (abuse of Opioid and various illegal drugs, alcohol and household cleaners).
- Hand signals and language codes. (in music, dance and speech)
- Clothing. (Colors, head gear, bandanas, way clothing is worn, labels, body piercings/tattoos)
- Internet Activity (Porn, Perihelia (abnormal sexual behavior), Pedophilia or Criminal Activity Websites)
We must seek to rebuild the lives of our children and loved ones and bring them back to God. I know it is a tough task, but who better equipped than the parents and responsible family members? Talk with your child and your child's teacher or administrator. Be willing to hear criticism about your child and not be too quick to think you have to start a "I Know You Ain't Talking About My Child Drama". You child may be the model kid at home, especially when there is no sibling, but it does not mean they portrait those same behaviors when they are away from you and with their friends/peers.
Educate yourself and your family about the effects of their negative peer activity/affiliation on the family and their community. Do not ignore the signs. We are very good at ignoring the signs because we are hoping that it is not true and it will go away, but unless you do something, the problem will sit right there and balloon into something even bigger. Get help immediately and stand by that loved one. The more you push them away, the more they will think you do not care and it will open the door for them to get caught up in all the wrong things.
It is time for an intervention and to Intervene Now!
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