Gang life
Tuesday 12 February 2008
Ex New York gang member Sergio Argueta is currently on a tour of London schools, talking about his experiences. Watch the video of his inspirational speech at one school assembly.
Strong not glam
Sergio Argueta left his gang after his friend Eric Rivera was beaten to death by a gang in June 2000. Following this tragedy, Sergio set up an organisation called S.T.R.O.N.G - Struggling To Reunite Our New Generation, which aims to empower young people so that they do not feel they have to be involved in gangs.
Sergio’s school tour is part of ‘Breaking the Cycle’, aiming to educate teenagers on the realities of gang violence.
Sergio says, "There’s nothing glamorous about wondering everyday you step foot outside your house whether this would be your last day. There’s nothing glamorous about having your freedom stripped off you and you’re treated like an animal, stripped of your name and given a number, told when to eat, when to sleep, when to drink.”
UK gang culture
In 2007, 26 teenagers died in London as a result of knife and gun crime, while 1,392 people under 19 were also victims of crime. Police believe that the actual number could be much more as many cases go unreported to the police for fear of reprisal.
Last year one of the most shocking cases of gang violence left 16 year old Kodjo Yenga dead after being stabbed. Six teenagers are currently in court accused of his murder.
Postcode wars
Another form of gang violence that is spreading in the capital is known as 'postcode wars'.
Commander Shaun Sawyer from the Metropolitan Police's violent crime directorate recently told a local newspaper:
"There have always been territorial gangs in London. What is different is the level of violence - in most cases knives are used. It is postcode related. I've spoken to young people who say it is about respecting territory. Because they've got nothing else they hold on to what little they've got."
The problem
Experts think that alcohol, drugs, poverty and the lack of alternatives for young people are the root causes of crime and gang culture.
The Government has recently announced plans to halve child poverty in the UK by 2010, with an overall aim to end it altogether by 2020. The plan is to spend more money on benefits and aim to make education more equal for everyone, regardless of which area they were born. Read n2k’s article about child poverty.
Hip hop music, games, TV shows and films have also been criticised for glamourising violence and gang culture. What do you think? Do these things influence the way you see crime?
The Mosquito
You may have heard of 'The Mosquito' recently. It's a device that emits a high pitched sound which can be heard by people under 25 – older people tend to be able not to hear these frequencies. The sound, although harmless is very irritating and is being used to stop to teenagers gathering outside shops, schools and stations.
But a new campaign called the ‘Buzz off’, led by the Children’s Commissioner for England wants to get the device banned. They say the use of the device is not fair to young people and will only create “a dangerous divide between the young and the old”.
Do you think these devices should be allowed? Have you experienced the effects of The Mosquito? Send us an email.
