Gangs on the Rise in Metro Houston Without a doubt, Houston has a growing gang problem according to a recent article in the Houston Chronicle. Gangs are a violent reality and a way of life for many who are seeking acceptance and a means to “fit in”, regardless of the price that must be paid. Many people have their own view as to why gangs are formed and why they exist in our society. One of the main reasons is friendship and they often tell their friend about how “cool” it is to be part of something, to be accepted. Children from poverty, who experience hopelessness, and who are bored and are looking for nice clothes and long to have money think being in a gang can earn them lots of pocket money.
Code of the Street In the ethnographic book, Code of the Street, Elijah Anderson, a professor of sociology at Yale University, makes some interesting and insightful assessments amid his in-depth examination of the many pertinent issues surrounding the economical, educational and social factors that exist in the urban community. These developmental conditions affect its social organization, shape the urban culture and heavily contribute to the aggression and youth violence that is so prevalent today. Some of the major problems that plague the impoverished inner city black community are that of the persistent poverty as well as the widespread violence that the young inflict on one another. Professor Anderson attempts to generally approach and address the question of why the quality of life is consistently compromised for so many inhabitants within urban communities. The book discusses that in addition to the alienation that the people who are struggling financially and reside in poor inner city neighborhoods feel from mainstream America, there is still yet another division within this confine, that is of the “decent” family in opposition to the “street” family.
To start off the Sean Bell case was an example of Police brutality. Police Brutality is one of the most serious issues of human violation that is unaddressed because of the cover up by fellow police officers during internal investigations. There are many instances when police officers engage in the activities of rough physical behaviors such as shooting, beating, torture and other unnecessary brutal acts among citizens which often result in injury or sometimes even death. Suspects of a crime, the victims, as well as their families, who are seeking justice, are usually disregarded. Usually if not always the people who deserve to be held accountable by the brutal violation of human rights getaway from the due punishment and continue to do their foul crimes (Collins 1).
Even though all of these strains have an influence on the racial differences in crime, I believe that the community contributes a lot to these differences. By observing at a community, one can derive that a community branches out to numerous types of strain. According to the text, African Americans show a disproportionate number of residents who occupy areas where there are higher rates of violence and economical disadvantages. These disadvantaged neighborhoods usually lack good public schools, job opportunities, and more often promote criminal behavior. With the lack of job opportunities in a poverty infused area, one might succumb to criminal
How did the code of the streets come about? The code of the streets has come into existence through years and years of inner city people’s extreme sense of alienation and abandonment from society. To many of those who live in lower income neighbourhoods, society often views them as social outcasts. In this view, people that reside in
This type of ghetto lifestyle creates a lot of tension between the Baltimore Police and the community. It’s evident in the book
WP2 Synthesis 7/6/2012 Gangs Gangs in the world today have been a major issue to all governments. Gangs will continue to be a problem in our world today because of an informal market, poverty and the youth today. Danny Malec wrote a review on Transforming Latino Gang Violence in the United States. In this article he believes and understands that due to the United States having an informal market, seduces the youth today by replacing family role models with gang members. Grossman agrees with Malec’s views, while taking a media strong stand point on this issue.
The current El Paso Police Department is a prime example. A recent slew of investigations by local news stations in the Sun City revealed several “corrupt” cops who had overstepped their boundaries, or had hidden behind their badge to commit crimes. And sometimes, that “thin blue line”, as one officer called it, can divide an entire community— or even a police force. “There will be corruption everywhere you go, but of course it depends on the city that you are in,” Officer Doe said, as he drove through the city. “We are human too.
Not only does the person(s) under attack financially suffer, but the city and community loose too. Vandalism which can lead to larger group violence can cost the city substantially in police, fire department, and in some cases hospital/doctor fees (justice.org/hatecrime). The community is left with eyesores like dilapidated buildings or homes due to the destruction. Either money is spent to repair or demolition these structures or the value to the surrounding properties decline. In either instance it is a hefty price to pay because of the emotional instability of an individual or group motivated by
This leaves many young working class people with little alternative but to meet up with friends, and hang around streets and estates looking for something to do. This was evident in the 2011 London riots where we saw groups of jaded juveniles roam the streets of London as a mob mentality causing a disgruntled and ominous environment. Another issue is concerning education. A lack of educational values is another driving force in the admittance of many people to crime.There is a number of reasons to believe that education will affect subsequent crime. Firstly, Schooling increases the returns to legitimate