Those who attended the recent Think Outside the Cell symposium in New York City were treated to panel discussions by some of the best minds in the criminal justice reform field. Among the panelist speaking on the human cost of prison was an articulate young man who told the audience that people need to reach out to prisoners to make them understand that “…they are humans, not just a criminal in a cage.” The young man, Jason Davis, speaks from experience, having been incarcerated. When introduced, the audience was told that Davis was a actively involved in bringing to attention the plight of mentally ill people of color, that he is a counselor at Children’s Village, and a spokesman for The Stay Strong Foundation. It was also announced that he is a member of the Bloods. While some people might find his membership in what is perceived to be a violent gang incongruous with his attempt to stop violence, others realize that perceptions are not reality. Davis was asked by Reentry Central to contribute an article. His essay follows:
People vs. Gangs
Who are we really at war with?
Before you try and answer this question, rambling off numerous reasons as to why you feel the need to go to “war” with those gang-affiliated”; I ask that you keep an open mind and allow me to speak on their behalf.
As you may know I used to be one of those gang-affiliated “thugs.” I was a young impressionable man, who felt I had no support from those around me and that lead me to the streets. I was causing pain and chaos in the community because I didn’t know any better; I had no one to tell me what I was doing was wrong.
As a child I tried to look to my parents for answers when I was faced with a problem, but most times that need for guidance wasn’t met. There was no real interest to ensure I was walking the right path, and because of that, I feel I walked astray.
It is very easy to try and discredit every reason given for joining a gang, but I know what these kids go through; I’ve lived it. These are children, who in most cases have lacked any sort of guidance their entire lives. They are forced to take on adult issues, even though they lack the necessary wisdom to do so--the disconnection of birth parents from their children has become the main problem.
For example, how can a young man focus on his education when he is bombarded with thoughts of being assaulted or murdered on his walk home from school? How can a young lady, who is being sexually abused at home, possibly concentrate on solving a math problem, when her mind is steadily racing with ways to escape her impending pain? Who are they to turn to about these problems, if the ones they “should” be able to trust are either ignorant to their fears, or are the ones inflicting them?
These same kids will look to the gangs because there is a promise of unity, a sense of warmth, and protection. These are important factors because a lot of these babies have witnessed murder, been raped, or been beaten down- leaving them void of common sense. They begin to look for something to fill that void, and gangs are always welcoming. Once in a gang, it essentially becomes the blind leading the blind; one troubled mind forcing another into a world of increasing chaos.
In order to stop the cycle, the community must learn to take in consideration these kids’ pain. A lot of them have great gifts hidden inside, but no one will get to see it if we don’t become more understanding and open. This is one of the many reasons gang members are written off by society; No one is asking the question of where the hate and rage stems from—even less wait for the answers.
The only way to fix the rising gang problem is to gut it from the root; Parents and the community have to become more involved!.
Jason Davis is a noted poet, author and Stay Strong Foundation Advisory Board member.
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