Free Essays on Youth Gang Explosion

I found this to be very interesting when considering the origins of youth gangs. I was not aware of the popularity and rivalries that had been established about break dancing. To be honest, I wasn’t even aware that there were break dancing competitions. What I found so interesting about this is that here was a group of kids whose agenda was far from the gang agenda that I picture in my head. When I pictured the origin of gangs, I have the image of a strong, aggressive man that uses predatory tactics to gain the compliance of others. The gang is formed and begins to operate in accordance to the leaders demands. This could have not been further from the truth. These drill teams were concerned with only winning break dancing competitions. Sure their competitiveness led to fights with other drill teams but they hardly carried the mentality that is associated with youth gangs. It wasn’t until others began to call them gangs that they actually began to act like modern gangs. It is important to realize the importance of placing labels on others. This is especially relevant in the aggressive policing tactics being used in the inner cities. Today we are constantly hearing about police brutality and discrimination. The term ‘Driving While Black’ is as common as any other utterance. The label of being a gang member is as negative as any other stereotype being applied to a young black person. Those in authority seem to be no longer concerned with the well being of inner city youth. As a result there is a abundant sense of hopelessness prevalent in the inner city. On top of not being able to find a job or not being able to get a decent education, youth have to deal with these stereotypes. It is not difficult to see why they abandon the middle class ideals and morals. The system is working against them so they put no faith in it. Instead they turn to the gang and with it they find an avenue that prom... Free Essays on Youth Gang Explosion Free Essays on Youth Gang Explosion I found this to be very interesting when considering the origins of youth gangs. I was not aware of the popularity and rivalries that had been established about break dancing. To be honest, I wasn’t even aware that there were break dancing competitions. What I found so interesting about this is that here was a group of kids whose agenda was far from the gang agenda that I picture in my head. When I pictured the origin of gangs, I have the image of a strong, aggressive man that uses predatory tactics to gain the compliance of others. The gang is formed and begins to operate in accordance to the leaders demands. This could have not been further from the truth. These drill teams were concerned with only winning break dancing competitions. Sure their competitiveness led to fights with other drill teams but they hardly carried the mentality that is associated with youth gangs. It wasn’t until others began to call them gangs that they actually began to act like modern gangs. It is important to realize the importance of placing labels on others. This is especially relevant in the aggressive policing tactics being used in the inner cities. Today we are constantly hearing about police brutality and discrimination. The term ‘Driving While Black’ is as common as any other utterance. The label of being a gang member is as negative as any other stereotype being applied to a young black person. Those in authority seem to be no longer concerned with the well being of inner city youth. As a result there is a abundant sense of hopelessness prevalent in the inner city. On top of not being able to find a job or not being able to get a decent education, youth have to deal with these stereotypes. It is not difficult to see why they abandon the middle class ideals and morals. The system is working against them so they put no faith in it. Instead they turn to the gang and with it they find an avenue that prom...