Joe, I agree with all that you said. To add to that, over the years I realized that so much of young people's behavior in school and in the neighborhoods is in reaction to fear. Some neighborhoods, and unfortunately often schools, are so dangerous that a top priority of growing up is developing some way to cope with constant fear. Many believe, perhaps correctly, that they must project a tough, strong image to stay safe. Unfortunately, some extend that to victimizing and terrorizing others to maintain that appearance. We must somehow figure out how to make our schools and our streets safe so our young people can flourish. I don't have the answers.
Jo Ann Fishburn ________________________________ From: Joe Clarke <[email protected]> To: Glenn <[email protected]> Cc: Summer Still <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 8:11 PM Subject: Re: [UC] Rape at Gunpoint, 900 block of 48th St., 10 pm Tuesday night Glenn, I hear you. It's like the argument for not putting seat belts in cars: they might make the customer feel that driving is unsafe. Many in the neighborhood are long-time, resident home-owners, and need to do something immediately to protect their homes and families. There is a difference between treating the symptom and curing the disease. The surge in personal crime may be caused by inequality, but the immediate and often life-threatening symptom needs to be dealt with immediately. Most of the young men and women involved in these crimes are extremely dangerous; partly, because they have no sense of what the consequences are for their actions. I don't think it's just economics: I think that there is a glorification of the gun/gangster culture that has been commod-ified by the entertainment industry and patronized by liberal society as being "cool". Having worked with young homeless people, the biggest challenge is the attitude that prevails among them, and is largely nihilistic. At a graduation in the shelter, many of the graduates were asked to select a favorite saying or slogan to live by. Most chose: "It is what it is!". No sense of future, goals. We in the social services thought it was cute. What seems cute to me - with a work history and two degrees - is disastrous for someone who has neither. The crime needs to be dealt with swiftly and forcefully; the larger issue needs to be worked on as well, but it is a complex situation that has many facets - gun control, failing schools, no jobs, addiction, no parenting and the marketing of violent nihilism as a life style - set us all up for a long haul to change these destructive patterns. Joe C. On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 5:05 PM, Glenn <[email protected]> wrote: > >On 9/14/2011 11:24 AM, Joe Clarke wrote: > >It may be time again to organize a town watch for the neighborhood(s), since >town watch works the best when it is localized in specific areas. >> >>Joe Clarke >> > Joe, > >I recall conversations with former town watch participants, when I was first >blowing the whistle about the real purposes of UCD and the gentrification. As >I recall, supports were withdrawn from town watch because high income >consumers would be made cleaner and safer through the gentrification. If >residents became dependent on and obedient to the new saviors, there was >supposedly no reason for town watch anymore than the great culture that we >created ourselves. > >Crime is correlated to income inequality and not a simple lack of material >possessions. I'm sure that increases in chronic stress, desperation, and >powerlessness would also predict increased crime. The gentrification >solutions that have been shoved down our throats are not only fake, but >actually increase the likelihood of violent senseless crime. Frankly, I'm >surprised that there is not more crime, but we've known for a long time that >learned helplessness defines the lives of most people in third world America. >But violent crime shouldn't be surprising anyone in our violent immoral >society. > > >Joe, the work you are doing with a youth chess club is wonderful, and is one >small example of projects that make society a safer place. (I've taught chess >before to gifted kids and I would love to help you if I were in Philadelphia >consistently). I would make chess part of the junior high curriculum for all >kids. > >When we had a strong UNDIVIDED community, we had a great culture and were much >safer. The police state does not make any of us safer, while we lose our >souls and freedom. The University of Plutocracy and their corporate cronies >should be forced to pay their fare share of taxes or payments for services in >lieu of taxes. Then, we could support town watch, community driven culture, >and the compassionate/empowering interventions that will help crime be reduced >to a minimum. (Boston University pays five million a year to the city of >Boston) > >Glenn > > > > > -- I think what weakens people most is fear of wasting their strength. Etty Hillesum
