Posts Tagged ‘Oakland’
Open Mic – Gathering for Justice
Here is an open mic video from Gathering for Justice, a youth organization that advocates for the end of youth incarceration. 
Posted by hcdmedia
Systems of Failure
The Oakland Tribune reported recently that two young boys, ages 8 and 10, committed an armed robbery with a BB gun at a gas station in East Oakland. They welded the gun and demanded money and candy – they asked for gum and Push Pops. The boys were apparently cousins and live in the area – an historic hot spot for drug sales and violence. The boys were arrested but not taking to juvenile hall – they were charged with armed robbery and have to appear before a judge.
There are some who would say these youth should have been incarcerated – armed robbery is indeed a serious offense. But locking these children up would have only made them worse. Placing them in a facility with older youth who are more hardened and experienced in crime, the two boys could have learned new criminal tricks and met new negative peers.
And while yes, even an 8 and 10 year old have to have some accountability – who is at fault in this case? Where are the parents, the extended family, or even the community – which is supposed to be the safety net, the village. Where are the community based organizations that are supposed to engage the youth in positive activity and providing for these youth’s needs – like giving them a little candy? Where are the programs of the many churches in that area that should have been working with these children?
Posted by DavidMuhammad