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,
There is extreme chronic fear and for good reason. Many people, from
cradle to grave, are denied basic security in their lives. When you
have no hope for your health care, education, food, etc; anyone can
easily become a primal animal capable of torture, lies, and violence.
Aren't those the values we represent around the world? I know that
without my study of Buddhism, I would be capable of very intelligent
violence!
Why would we expect young people, who do not have middle class
securities, to ignore that all forms of violence and power are the way
of life? It's not cute that we guarantee this message to hopeless young
people. But that is what we do with corporate megalomania.
The answers aren't so far away. We choose to turn our backs on our
neighbors because we beg and worship extreme power. I'm not being
disrespectful or glib about any violent crimes happening now! But if we
don't recognize the cleaner safer lies of our upscale paradise, how are
we going to get past this addiction stage called DENIAL?
Schools are underfunded and sabotaged. Teachers and parents are
vilified in fake "research" The poor are blamed as evil sub-human
creatures.
As I said to Joe, I'm surprised there is not more violence. The middle
class answer has long been to abuse the poor and minority populations
more, so that the power of the parasite rulers is increased! Let's stop
throwing in the towel, and start standing for truth and humanity!!!!!!
On 9/14/2011 9:45 PM, Jo Ann Fishburn wrote:
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]
<mailto:[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
<http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/ettyhilles124704.html>
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