Published on Wednesday, October 26, 2005

RICHMOND GLOBE (October 26 – November 1, 2005)
By Gayle McLaughlin

Richmond Needs Fuel to Rise Above Violence

Mayor Anderson organized a conference on violence prevention on October 15. The title of the conference “Richmond Rises Above the Violence” is a good proposition, but it lacks reality. Richmond has not quite risen yet, and it will take more than an eloquent expert and list of “wished for” programs to accomplish the lift-off. It will take the political will to fund the ideas mentioned in the conference (and others) to help reduce violence.

The keynote speaker, Deborah Prothrow-Stith, spoke eloquently, but decided, for whatever reason, to focus on just one root cause of youth violence in communities: the cultural patterns. This is an important aspect, but nothing can fly with just this wing.

The speaker briefly mentioned some of the other factors responsible for generating youth violence including poverty, unequal income, opportunities and hope, alcohol and other drugs, and availability of guns. And she certainly was correct that exposure to violence from an early age on, as well as adults’ encouragement of kids to “fight back,” feeds a cycle. Her statement that it is hurt children who hurt others is very true.

However, breaking the cycle of violence in Richmond will take more than just a call from a public health expert to have Richmond parents change some cultural patterns. Even if all the parents of Richmond decided to stop encouraging their kids to “fight back” or “beat the other guy down,” violence in Richmond will continue to brew and erupt under the influence of the other factors mentioned above.

So I was disappointed that the key speaker chose to focus on just one aspect of violence prevention. It is noteworthy to mention that focusing solely on parental responsibility requires the least in terms of investment from our city. Admonishments to parents do not cost a lot, whereas an after-school support program and a youth jobs program would cost millions.

Kids need education opportunities and job opportunities. We must ask our youth to learn that there are better ways than violence to solve conflicts and stand one’s ground, but this must be accompanied by actual, concrete opportunities. We must provide the extensive after-school program and the massive part-time jobs program that can provide supervision, training, pride and products. Asking just for cultural changes without offering anything leaves us nowhere. We will continue to hear kids saying: Want my gun, give me a job!

Fred Arm, in his Globe commentary on the event, expressed his frustration with the lack of integration of a long list of known remedies proposed and the lack of understanding of the cost involved. I would add to that and say: There was no understanding of the costs, no commitment from the City to fund any programs or solutions, and not even a remote discussion of potential sources of income.

I agree with a leaflet distributed at the door of the meeting, which stated: Any proposed solutions will require money. Lots of money. Each year millions of dollars from the utility users’ tax go uncollected because of the City’s special tax perk for Chevron Corporation. Chevron has posted unprecedented profits in recent years. The City of Richmond can use the extra millions to fund youth employment and enrichment programs. We need to stand up to those getting special favors and perks while the children bleed. We need some fuel to get off the ground and rise above violence. Do we have what it takes to get the fuel?

Gayle McLaughlin
Member of the Richmond City Council