tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post6471200127711013725..comments2024-02-10T18:19:36.406-08:00Comments on Newspaper Rock: Gang culture in Indian countryRobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01478763837213733775noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post-35495947336582125822009-11-19T12:46:07.626-08:002009-11-19T12:46:07.626-08:00A friend told me that 5% of white america hates in...A friend told me that 5% of white america hates indians, and 5% of white america loves indians, and the other 90% don't give a sh*t. I think that if someone had a reasonable, practical plan, that most of america would get behind it, try to help. Time to set aside philosophy and deal with the things that are in your face, the things in these kids faces. <br /><br />Is your drinking water clean? Do you and yours have enough to eat? Are your lights hooked up, can you stay warm in winter? How about a decent job, that pays decent wages? Part of the appeal of being in a gang is feeling no longer powerless, people who have a future don't feel powerless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post-53045579330893707192009-10-31T10:49:03.405-07:002009-10-31T10:49:03.405-07:00The gang sub - culture personifies strength and ac...The gang sub - culture personifies strength and acceptance in a time of hopelessness. The greater majority societal stucture has evolved to ostracize the Native American. And, the youth are in a constant identity crisis. Being seen as who they are, and being seen as who they want to be- is conflict. Also, there is a huge division between the "older" community members (e.g. grandparents, parents, educators, tribal authorities and leaders), and the youth. The youth are alienated because of a lack of attachment to their culture, elders and community. And, they are sub-consciously believing the typical stereotype image of our self-identity, self-worth. Rather than embracing their cultural virtues, values etc., which seem weak and "victimized", the uninformed youth are gravitating away from both-the greater majority society and the centuries of wrongs perpetrated against the Native American and also their uninformed perceptions of the Native culture. They still want to be a warrior, (strong)but for them, the only alternative reality is the gang sub - culture. <br />All these societal woes were easily predictable for the Native communities, and the Native gang sub - culture has not yet evolved. We are in a battle and for those that lack acceptance and or are in denial- it is the very same battle our ancestors fought since the coming of the "non-Native." Only difference is the face of the evil destructor has subtly transformed and has been allowed to take hold, seed and is only beginning to flourish. I have found a viable solution that will raise the consciousness and re-connect our Native youth with our ancestral virtues, values, customs and beliefs, while looking to new ways that will bring us all to the center of our sacred circle. The program is adaptable and versatile and can be tailor made to fit any gender, age and Native cultural aspect. We are seeing what happens when our youth choose a direction in life that takes them further and further away from our ancestral values. It is imperative that we all unite to re-direct and connect our Native youth with our ancestral heritage and culture. The alternative to this is these non-Native, cultural ending lessons will replace our ancestral virtues, values and then be taught to our generations who have yet to be born. Erik BringswhiteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post-71060636546419345352009-09-29T01:17:34.413-07:002009-09-29T01:17:34.413-07:00alot of the gang culture starts int he home i work...alot of the gang culture starts int he home i work currently on a reservation in south dakota and alot of the so called gangmembers are kids who their parents stuck up for them no matter what crime they committed in my opinion if they are sticking up for these persons who are committing these crimes let them sit out time with that individual instead of letting them bail that person out and then bad mouth law enforvement for doing their jobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post-34211412046579586122009-09-18T16:00:39.366-07:002009-09-18T16:00:39.366-07:00One useful tool to help battle the gang infestatio...One useful tool to help battle the gang infestation in indian country is to start up a boxing club. This way, young men can prove their toughness inside the ring without having to kill anybody.<br /><br />Another effective method in eradicating gangster mentality from their young brains(although not entirely) is to educate them throughly about cultural awareness and current matters regarding race and politics. And you have to flat out tell them that killing one another is what the white man wants. Either way, they lose. If they want to win a real war, get educated, seek higher education and fight back! This can put some sense into what they are doing. They need to reminded that they're killing off the race and they're not helping to flourish the numbers. Teenagers are not that stupid, they just need to hear the scary truth in order for them to realize what they're doing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com