Youth Violence

One of the many things I have learned about my students this year is that they come from very different backgrounds than I do, and they generally deal with very different issues than I ever did. One of the hardest things they have to deal with is violence in their neighborhoods. I am still very naive about the issue, and it is truly difficult for me to understand.

Several weeks ago, we had a former student from our MAT program come talk to us about a documentary he and his students had made the previous year on youth violence. He brought four of his students along to share their experiences with us. Besides that we were all interested in hearing about how he used this media as a way to teach and as a form of assessment, I was very moved by some of things students said about living in areas of violence. I simply cannot imagine what it would be like at the age of twelve to see your father or your brother shot and killed, as is the case with one of my students. The four students who came to speak to us were very bright and very motivated by this documentary to end youth violence. Many students, fortunately, understand that the ultimate goal is peace. However, it's also easy to see how students can so easily become a part of it. When you're growing up with it all around, maybe you know no other way, or maybe you just grow numb to it. Somehow you rationalize that it's ok. So the "fight" for peace is a difficult one, but it's one that as an educator I try to support for my students.

Recently, in my advisory, we have grown concerned with a student's living situation. He and his family were attacked by a gang right outside their house after Thanksgiving, and since then, he says that he has been watched on several occasions. So we're looking into getting him and his family new housing. However, one of the other students responded by saying, "That's why you gotta carry a knife with you." I was surprised, and my mentor responded quickly by saying it was a bad idea. Fortunately, the student agreed and said he did not want to carry a knife for fear that it would get turned against him. Then, to my surprise, another student shared that she went to "juvy" for three days in fifth grade when she pulled a knife on another girl for talking trash about her mother. So we collectively agreed (I hope) that carrying a knife was a poor choice because you could end up getting in trouble or the knife could be turned on you. What I don't think we got across very well was the idea that carrying a knife to protect yourself only perpetuates violence in neighborhoods. It's like the backwards argument from gun owners that if everyone carried a gun, there would be fewer shootings. No, there's no way that more weapons means less violence. I guess it depends on your goal. Are you trying to protect yourself, or are you working to end violence? And I would like to be an educator who helps to empower my students by promoting peace. However, I know that I am still in a state where their stories shock me. And frankly, it should be shocking! It's awful how normal this has become for my students, and I only hope I can help them in any way I can.