Gang violence is contributing to a disturbing
crime trend across the country -- in 2006
murders were up 6.7 percent in cities with a
million or more residents. According to FBI data
there were more than 670,000 assaults with
firearms between 2001 and 2005.
MIKE RAMEY, known for his biblical,
business and common sense long running, award
winning column
THE MANHOODLINE, which has appeared on
fine websites around the world, is even more
dangerous with his NEW column The Gang Line.
MIKE RAMEY is a nationally certified
Street Gang Specialist and former Felony
Probation Officer for a Juvenile Court.
He's also the pastor of THE FORWARD CHURCH
in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this capacity
Mike is able to bring a spiritual perspective to
the discussion. As a longtime substitute
teacher Ramey understands why many of our
children are "latching on" to colors, guns, and
mayhem. Mike Ramey understands that
winning the battle against modern street gangs (MSGs)
requires out-of-the-box thinking and solutions.
Mike Ramey is passionate about his work.
After witnessing firsthand the impact of gang
related crimes in his community he serves as a
consultant, trainer, and speaker on gang issues
for schools, the media, and law enforcement via
his training and consulting firm THE GANG
LINE.
In
addition, through his syndicated column Ramey
provides information for an increasing public,
and provide real life examples of what's really
happening in the streets and in the suites.
There's a lot of work that needs to be done.
Many black media outlets have been ignoring the
gang issue. Many churches, politicians,
black leaders and think tanks have been silent.
Not here, and not now!
You can read two of Mike Ramey's "primer"
articles about gang violence in his column
The Manhoodline.
Click here
to go there now.
Click here
to read our exclusive interview with Mike Ramey.
THE GANG LINE: BY MIKE RAMEY
“STYLING, PROFILING--AND DYING”
Tip From The Old School: School uniforms may add
to gang problems rather than prevent them. It is up to
PARENTS to show up at local school board hearings and
get the full facts on school uniform choices BEFORE
school officials make decisions.
Modern street gangs are composed mainly of teens
that underestimate their worth to themselves, to their
families, and to the society at large. This is the way
gangs want it, and this is the danger that the
government, public nor church seems to want to see. Of
course, since teens are vulnerable to wrong
decisions--as they are teens--Madison Avenue is more
than happy to extract a buck from your child’s body
and/or corpse.
If this sound brutal, you are right…but it is
still the truth.
If I may get biblical for a moment, there
are--in the Scriptures--many solid examples of young
people who made a difference in their teens. In current
society, there are countless examples of teens having a
vision or dream or product idea that was later sharpened
and directed with great results. Take away that vision,
and you have nothing more than teen lemmings--especially
among teens of color.
Businesspeople--Black, Hispanic and
white--continue to shout down the potential of many of
our youth with the voice of “…you need THIS product to
be cool.” I recently stopped by one of my local,
storefront “hip hop” clothing stores, just to keep up on
the latest fashions. Never did I realize that so much
money was being made by “The Tribe Of Dollars”. Hats
going for $25 to $50--complete with appropriate gang
colors and logos--many of them sports oriented.
Oversized “T” shirts being snapped up for $10 a throw.
Plus, what thugg (my personal spelling choice) of the
future would not be complete with the various belt
buckles, cash wads (yes, they DO sell them--LOL), plus
jeans, jackets and jerseys--right down to ‘Lil G’
sizes.
It costs a lot to slouch into the criminal
look, these days.
Here’s another one: local gas stations has
become a boutique of sorts for gang wear. Some of them
sell the oversized T-shirts, bandanas, and other
assorted gang wear at lower prices…but cheaper quality.
Gas stations have to be diverse to make a buck from the
gang crowd in more ways that one. A few years back,
blunting became the rage. A blunt is a cigar that is
center filled with marijuana by an individual in order
to mask the smell of weed. (Unfortunately, because of
the make-up of the cigar in the first place, the weed
tends to stay in the system longer, thus ensuring
positive drug test results). Many gas stations were
reluctant to sell cigars--but more and more ‘local
customers’ demanded them. With a shrug of the shoulders,
large and small cigars became a part of the inventory at
many stations.
LOOKING FOR BACKBONE AMONG THE UPRIGHT:
One of the rules of the street gang life: One
has to maintain a certain style, or profile in order to
be in with their peers. Even IF that style could get one
killed either deliberately, or by accident by being worn
in the wrong place at the wrong time.
While the Rap/Hip Hop industry has been
experiencing plummeting sales for the last five years,
sales of jerseys, caps, and T-shirts have been climbing
upwards. The ‘dream machine’ of cable, HD, Hollywood,
and various and sundry television and movie shows have
been developing and releasing a constant stream of youth
clad in gang colors past many pairs of anxious eyeballs.
Though the public has put up some small amount of
protest, the media kabal continues to push--in 24 news
cycle fashion--those items that ‘makes’ one ‘hip and
happening’.. Even the latest video games have the
inclusion of character bad guys--mainly Blacks or
Hispanics--clad in what the entertainment industry
‘believes’ to be gang attire based upon their focus
groups and field research.
Pro sports has been putting up a ‘mild’ protest
about how some gangs have been using their merchandise
as a means of ‘flagging loyalty’ to their local gang or
crew.
I’ve yet to see the NFL or NBA sue MS-13 over how they
use team jerseys.
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CASH:
School corporations have instituted school
uniforms--with the parents paying the tab--in order to
‘cut down’ on school gang violence (that is, IF they
admit they have such problems). Unfortunately, many of
the color schemes are already established gang color
patterns. Be sure to thank your local school corporation
if your teen is recruited into a faction of the Vice
Lords or BGDs on school property because of their
uniforms.
But I digress.
To subsidize evil is to allow it the grace to
expand. Gangs, since 2001, have been steadily expanding
from the back alleys, into the malls, sport teams, and
schools with little admission as to their
existence…until one turns on their nightly news.
The quest for coolness--even with a high price
tag--silences many objections.
Now, I realize that there are those who may
think that I am making too much out of nothing. Sagging
pants, gang handshakes, colors and Hip Hop/Rap music are
‘just teen rebellion’. What’s the harm, right?
Balderdash!
You see, the same people who make such
statements are the same ones who ignore the fact that
their own teens are wearing the same fashions and
mimicking the same behavior. They would rather duck
behind gated communities, padlocked mailboxes and
quickly lock their doors when one of OUR teens come near
their cars. All of a sudden, the ‘compassionate’ expect
the police to ‘roust’ potential gang members away from
them and their families because of their ‘looks’.
Meanwhile, it is perfectly ‘natural and okay’ for the
‘marauding marketing mobsters’ to pour their wares into
the eager brains of our youth.
They don’t have to attend funeral--only board
meetings.
PARENTS: SEND A STRONG FINANCIAL MESSAGE!
I feel it getting awfully quiet out there at
this point in my column, but I’d like to remind parents
that they can VETO the bad financial choices of their
teens by NOT contributing to the madness.
Yes, I can fondly remember my days of ‘teen
rebellion’, and it is true that what you do as a child
does ‘force you to come around’ when you grow up and
become a parent yourself. You remember and reflect upon
the ‘money motive’ of those in the advertising game when
YOU were a teen. You also tend to get a little irritated
in the way that MP3s, downloads, iPods and
photo/phone/text messaging systems bring teens
unapologetically into a 24/7 marketing blitz that never
seems to leave them (or parents) alone.
I am also aware that not every child who dresses
up in today’s fashions are gang members…but I would also
like to make you aware of the fact that at two o’clock
in the morning, when a suspect is being sought by
police, clothing DOES count!
Let us remember parents--single, married, and
extended--WE control the purse strings and have the
mandate to teach our young and teens the difference
between style and being hustled by Madison Avenue and
the mall. No matter how much a teen may ‘whine’ about
wanting the ‘coming thing’, it is up to the adults in
their lives to explain the differences between good
choices and deadly consequences. Truly, there IS a lot
more at stake than one may think, and the “The Tribe Of
Dollars” won’t cry one tear IF you don’t do your job.
Neither will they attend your child’s funeral IF they
get happen to get caught in the wrong clothing in the
middle of a gang shootout.
See you next month.
MIKE RAMEY is a Street Gang Specialist, consultant,
trainer and Lead Instructor of THE GANG LINE, based in
Indianapolis, Indiana. This column appears on fine
websites around the world. If you have questions,
comments, or would like to have him speak at your
school, church or facility; OR train your group,
ministry or agency on how to spot/stop gang activity,
email
RameysGangLine@yahoo.com ©2008
Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications International.
THE
GANG LINE: TALE OF THE RED FLAGS
BY
MIKE RAMEY
Tip
From The Old School: Do NOT seek to ask your Pastor or
Church to be involved with your child’s appearance
before school, court, or other authorities UNLESS you
and your child have developed MORE than a “Hi/Bye”
relationship with your house of worship.
A few years back a pastor and I were talking about
juvenile justice issues. One of the families in his
congregation were going to have to attend an expulsion
hearing, and they wanted the pastor as a ‘character
reference’ concerning the child. The pastor was more
than happy to be involved. I, on the other hand, was a
little suspicious.
I am going somewhere with this.
I spoke up. “Did the mother provide you with paperwork
on the hearing, or did she just ask you to attend?” I
was greeted with a quizzical “No,” as by his facial
expression the pastor seemed puzzled. “I’m not trying to
get into your business, preacher…but if you do NOT have
‘full disclosure’ from this family on the incidents
leading up to the expulsion, you may hurt your
reputation by being so ‘quick’ to testify.”
Now, I don’t know if he testified--or if he did not. In
truth, we are living in the ‘deceptive’ days of our
society. Folks will go out and do wrong on a grand
scale, then--as they are about to face the consequences
of their actions--they run to get their own ‘posse’ of
friends and experts in order to explain away their
actions. All the posse gets to know is that the person
whom they are supporting ‘got’ into trouble. After the
dust has cleared, the money spent, and the time and
emotions invested, it is ‘learned’ that the person
involved had more to do in starting the trouble than
previously believed.
There is a biblical admonition for those of us who wear
the Christian label to ‘count the costs’ of our actions
and involvements. The Bible warns us not to be quick to
‘co-sign’ onto the trouble of others. If folk are not
forthcoming about the extent of their troubles, you are
not obligated to provide resources.
THE
FAMILY CAME FIRST:
These next few items may shock more than a few groups
and churches, but I’ll state them anyway. First, the
Bible does give people the power to judge, along with
the power of individual choice. When Jesus sees people
deliberately not noticing legitimate ‘red flags’ (such
as the Pharisees), His solution was to rebuke them
loudly, and in public.
Second,
God created the institution of marriage first, and the
family unit second in the Book of Genesis. Those in the
courts, law enforcement, and even the church who attempt
to develop programs or to secure grants in order to form
a wedge between parent/guardian and child are making
mistakes of biblical proportions. One can not
successfully break up the spread and impact of gangs
without empowering the family. This may sound
‘simplistic’ to some. Needless to say, I am a person who
believes more in solutions and less in ‘wishful’ talk as
I have seen the problem and the damage up close and
personal.
GRANTS, TAXES AND RECESSION:
Parents/guardians BEST know the capabilities and talents
of their own children. This is why THEY are best to know
when their kids are turning towards gang activity,
because they recognize the ‘red flags’ of troubled
youth. Developing treatment and intervention programs
for juveniles WITHOUT the consideration OR involvement
of their parents/guardians is just a waste of
resources.
Nevertheless, society continues is drive to proudly
skirt parental authority.
As I have mentioned before; suppression and detention of
gang members only will only work in certain
circumstances, and over a limited span of time. Gang
members change street tactics roughly every six to
twelve months. It takes--by my estimation--some three to
five YEARS for local authorities--including churches and
schools--to respond with plans to alert the public to
gang dangers and try to contain gang activity in their
own locales…provided those in these authority positions
AND in the community are willing to admit that they have
a gang problem in the first place.
In many cities, the denial continues and the
crime rate increases.
I’ll repeat this next item again for the record: There
are many institutions and agencies that make money off
of the gang issue through various grants and funding
sources. As I was putting this column together, a
high-ranking federal law enforcement official was the
subject of an article about the ‘reality’ of what grants
could and could not do in putting more local cops on the
streets. In short, this official noted that the current
recession, coupled with local and state governments
having to hold the line on taxes and expenses would NOT
be able to count on federal grants to add more local
cops.
But wait, there IS more.
A few weeks earlier, another article came forth pointing
out that more and more cities were going to hire more
civilians to handle lesser crimes, freeing up more cops
for street duty. Lastly, because of the fuel price
crisis, another well-written article on law enforcement
issues came forth, explaining how police agencies were
investing in bicycles and other ‘gas friendly’ vehicles
to save money on gas costs.
UNDERSTANDING THE RED FLAGS:
What does this all mean? As I read these articles, MY
take was the following: local law enforcement
agencies--including the courts--are going to be
‘prioritizing’ their handling of certain crimes. Mr. And
Mrs. Taxpayer are going to have to do more about
fighting crime themselves--at the ROOT!
Thus, it is time for the ‘meat’ of this
column…recognizing the red flags of gang activity from
the home to the street. Parents, you DO have the power
to blunt much of the negative activities of YOUR OWN
children, contrary to the ‘PC’ crowd.
IF you coddle them; indulge them, and take their side
over legitimate authority, your child will wind up
either on TV or in the morgue. Teach them the value of
hard work, staying crime free, the need for church &
faith in God through Jesus Christ, the benefits of a
good education--including graduating and going on to
trade school or college--and you will have a successful
child.
Why does it rest with the home and/or the parent or
guardian?
Simple. A child is blessed with the internal ability to
love and follow their parents--both of them--into right,
or wrong behavior. Three immediate red flags involve the
activity of parents. Should one--or both--of them have
criminal records, be on probation/parole, or have been
or are spending time in jail or prison, you have the
potential of the child wanting to ‘follow’ in their
footsteps. It gets worse if the child is being raised by
a custodial parent who has done their level best to
‘slam’ the non-custodial parent--especially if that
parent is incarcerated.
Two other red flags are parent/guardian controlled.
These revolve around who your child ‘hangs out’ with,
and whether or not your child is regularly attending
school.
I’ll make
these sweet and simple. If your child sees you hanging
around shady characters; if your child sees you not
continuing your education or even ‘keeping up’ with
current events through the newspaper, magazines or
books, your child will be inching ever closer to truancy
problems, school suspensions and/or expulsion. Waiting
for them on ‘the street’ will be those older juvenile
delinquents who will be happy to use your child as a
‘toy’. Some of these older juveniles are of the opposite
sex, and have no problem in training your child to be a
liar, cheat, criminal and gang member.
The advice for summer now that school is letting out?
Get to know your child and recognize potential red flags
and address them at home. It is better for a
parent/guardian to get involved with their children now,
than sitting in a courtroom later having to explain
their inaction--to a judge. See you next month!
THE
GANG LINE: GANGS & MUSIC--A SIXTIES REPLAY
BY MIKE RAMEY
Tip From The Old School: There are dozens of places
in a community where a parent may get their child
drug tested or ‘urine dropped’. Your family doctor
is a great resource AND can recommend ‘over the
counter’ drug tests that you may use at home.
On one afternoon in my city, a local high
school was letting out. Traffic was being directed
by school police as teens were heading home. One
could hear rather quickly the steady
‘thump-thump-thump’ coming from various teen
vehicles. I actually laughed as I saw one car full
of teens shooting gang signs in time with the music
(stacking) at another car load of teens in front of
them who, in turn, were shooting the same signs back
at them.
Ah, the days of youth…and disposable
music.
In spite of the Alicia Keys/50 Cent
slamfest about modern music, the truth has started
to come out. MOST Rap/Hip Hop recorded, produced,
released, and sold in America has no lasting value,
save to ‘rile up’ the passions of teens that don’t
know any better, and filling the pockets of the
artists who wouldn’t know sheet music from a copy of
“Jet.”
More and more of the KNOWN artists are
recording ‘the standards’ as they have ‘discovered’
that their genre won‘t last past a milk carton
expiration date. Industry moguls know Rap/Hip-Hop
has been losing revenue over the last five years.
More ‘traditional’ songs are being recorded as
Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and Diana Ross are
the ‘new cool.’ The ‘thugg’ look is quietly being
put away, out of fear that the general public will
finally wise up and crush Rap/Hip-Hop sales.
THE MAINSTREAM IS ALWAYS THE AIM:
Oh, you KNOW that this is TRUE. While
industry experts like to hush that some seventy
percent of Rap/Hip Hop music IS purchased by
whites--young white males in particular--it should
also come as no shock that many street gangs get
their ‘bravado’ from consuming Rap/Hip Hop songs and
videos, some of them made by artists with KNOWN gang
affiliations.
The objective is the mainstream my
friends; by influence, buck or power. No matter how
creative we Black folk may be, there are few
business ventures that can ‘only’ be supported by
Black patronage. Thus, Black artists push to get to
the mainstream as quickly as possible, just like
other artists. As far back as the 1930s, Black
musicians, vocalists and artists knew that for
anything to sell, it has to be brought to the
mainstream--which is--like it or
not--white-controlled.
A REPLAY--OF THE SIXTIES?
Recently, the History Channel came out with a
documentary about the Hippie culture and its impact
on society. I noticed something right away
concerning the music of that era. Music moguls of
today have taken the trends of the sixties, revamped
them and brought them forward with money in mind. If
you remember your younger days, music drives society
and word of mouth drives music sales and trends.
Money, like The O’Jays said, drives them both. Songs
are produced, sell and are well received, or they go
to the bargain bin.
Rap/Hip Hop is no different.
The more outlandish, the more flesh that
shows, the more ‘buzz’ a particular song generates,
the better the sales. Teens could care LESS that the
props are rented, the homes are borrowed and many of
the people in the videos have jobs elsewhere. If it
feels good (makes them forget reality) then its OK
with them.
The gangs know this and they are
succeeding to use music to fuel their ‘reps’.
THE MUSIC IS THE MESSAGE, THE MESSENGER--AND THE
MATCH!
Let us not kid ourselves…gangs run on
rebellion, and most Rap/Hip Hop serves as the fuel
in the tank. In order to be a successful gang
member, one must not only be able to stack out
(using hand signs to tell a story) their gang
affiliation, but to impress or to intimidate others.
Don’t tell me that gang members are ‘dumb’. It takes
hours of practice to stack with precision. They
proudly use spare time that could be used for doing
homework or learning a trade or skill to ‘impress’
their peers and increase their reputation.
Think Rap/Hip Hop is not getting the once
over from Wall Street? Forbes magazine, as of last
year, annually tracks how much rappers make with
their ventures.
Needless to say, the millions made does
not qualify as ‘chump change’. To a banger, the
music is the message, the messenger and the
inspiration. It not only ‘excites’ but ‘ignites’.
Every gang member, or former gang member that I have
come across admits that they like to get high, put
on their tunes, and play their favorites…for hours.
The music was their pride and joy, their shield and
personality.
Sounds like the same things about music
said when I grew up with during the ‘summer of love’
era. But, I digress.
Eventually, a banger reaches a saturation
point whereby they are either egged on by gang
leaders, or just get into a situation where they
decide to ‘act out’ what they have been listening
to. Hours--or days--later it ‘sinks in’ as to what
they have done while they are in a cell, or on their
way to trial or prison.
CAN WE STOP THE MUSIC?
For those who think that I make too much
of the power of music, I have additional
information. In 2007, according to a survey by
HealthDay some of the best selling songs as selected
by Billboard Magazine for the year 2005 yielded some
eye opening results. They found that 77 percent of
the top Rap/Hip Hop songs had references to
substance use in them. Whether it be booze, drugs,
or other items to ‘bend mental reality’, the proof
was in the music. By the way, some 37 percent of
Country Western songs had substance use mentioned,
and 14 percent of rock songs. These findings are NOT
new, but let me do the math. Teen anger, plus drugs,
plus alcohol, plus aggressive music, plus gang
members, plus problems at home or school or in just
growing up; mix in some promises of excitement and
thrills and this equals a new gang member OR
potential gang leader.
I’ve heard those in law enforcement say
the following time and time again: “Parents, be they
single or married are the BEST weapon in the fight
against gangs!” Add to the discussion THIS fact:
MOST gangs have in their rules, bylaws, or
constitutions the fact that they are supposed to
listen to or protect their parents.
HOUSE CLEANING IN ORDER:
Parents; YOU have the power of the purse.
YOU determine what comes into your home! Complaining
about what is on the public airwaves is pretty lame
when each household with an authority figure has
steps they can take. From monitoring and limiting
entertainment choices to examination of what their
teens are listening to or watching, parents ARE the
authority of the home. It does NOT hurt to have a
foundation involving church, the Bible, and a
relationship with Jesus Christ. Since Christ cleaned
out the temple; He can strengthen parents and
guardians to clean UP their OWN homes IF they want
to see a change in their teens. Remember: There IS
no separation of church and state in a jail cell, or
in the morgue autopsy room. Until parents get a grip
on their teens’ ears and limit their spending on bad
entertainment choices, the flow of young people into
the gang scene will continue.
The incentives are worth pursuing if
parents would start teaching! I would suggest that
parents dust off their Bibles--and their vinyl-- and
provide a few history lessons about where our music
came from, and what it stood for--and against. The
history of our music is more about the spirit…than
the pocket.
Even in an unfair fight, Mississippi Mass
can still take down 50 Cent.
See you next month.
THE GANG LINE: LAUGHING OFF THE SPIRITUAL
BY MIKE RAMEY
Tip From The Old School: Be aware of your child’s
friends and acquaintances. Kids & Teens often take
their first drink, smoke their first cigarette or
blunt, commit their first crime, or get involved
with the wrong crowd thanks to those whom they
believe to be ‘good friends’. Teach your child the
difference between ‘good’ and ‘evil’!
If you
have ever spent time in front of your TV watching
some of the offerings from shows like “Gangland” or
“American Gangster” for any length of time, you soon
notice a few things:
1. The
tactics of evil seldom change; they are recycled.
2.
Many of today’s ‘gang leaders’ were ‘brought in’ by
‘friends’.
3.
They are ‘proud’ of the fact that they manipulate
many to do their will.
4.
They get ‘upset’ when THEIR family members get
killed by gang activity.
5.
Lastly, the belief that they can not change is
firmly planted within them.
Of
course, IF the same ‘leadership’ would tell their
thousands of their followers to stay in school,
graduate, steer clear of criminal activity, work
hard at legitimate enterprises AND register to vote,
you would not hear from them--or their gang--ever
again. IF--in addition--the same gang leadership
told their followers to stop breeding OOW children,
get married, and become positive forces in the
church and community, you would see politicians
awarding pardons like confetti.
Modern
street gangs are not ‘social clubs’ like their
predecessors of the last century. Today, they ARE
‘criminal enterprises’ AND ‘religious worship
outlets’ in our post-9/11 world. The reason why law
enforcement, elected officials, social workers, and
church leaders are not effective against their
spread is simple: Many have ‘laughed off’ the
spiritual underbelly of modern gang activity.
Smatterings of Islam, Santeria, Roman Catholicism,
Nazism, Witchcraft, Roman, Egyptian and Greek
Mythology, even gangster history from the 1930s and
40s have been found in the modern gang scene with a
religious twist.
CANNOT DISREGARD THE SPIRITUAL:
As the
‘informed’ continue to shovel more tax money at the
problem, the gangs have been ‘rolling’. THEY believe
in the spiritual side of their activities, even
though many have dismissed the obvious religious
signs.
I
include the realities of the spiritual when I do
presentations on Modern Street Gangs. I’m not one to
‘laugh off the spiritual’ like many power brokers,
gang experts and churches, because of the risks
involved. You see, men, women--and even
teenagers--have been created by God to be drawn to
the spiritual. Each of us, though, have the right to
be drawn to either the light of spiritual matters,
or, revel in the darkness of spiritual trappings. To
deny the spiritual aspect of gang life and not
include such realities in the discussion of
solutions is a formula for disaster of immense
proportions--as we have already been seeing on the
streets of many a city.
Let me
bring you up to speed. Modern Street Gangs (MSGs)
have their own unique rituals, prayers, bibles,
benevolence activity and sacrifices. Gangs have
their own ways of ‘witnessing’ with their signs,
slogans, codes and graffiti. MSGs even have their
own way of ‘canvassing’ or ‘proselytizing’, with
VERY effective results. While they may tweak some of
the visible portions of their rules, the average
gang member views being in a gang a lot like being
in a religious denomination. The difference? While
‘real’ religion is supposed to ‘uplift’ the follower
and community, gangs don’t adhere to this belief.
If you
doubt me, ask some of the former participants of
gang life who are now crippled in their bodies and
minds; maimed in their economic, educational or
relationship choices, or are just plain DEAD from
being a member of the ‘church of the Gangbanger’ was
a benefit.
Their
answers will surprise you--IF they can speak.
THREE DOORWAYS TO THE SOUL--AND RUIN:
Right
about now, there are those who may be reading this
column and are getting uncomfortable about the
discussion of religion. A few in law enforcement,
government, even in the church house will clamor
about the ‘mythical’ separation of church and
state.
Modern
gangs don’t have a problem in mixing the two…to
their advantage.
A few
others among the professional ranks are more
interested in getting their checks and fees rather
than helping the public to be self-sufficient.
Unfortunately, gang members are still going to their
‘churches’, helping to destroy ‘the state’ with
their criminal activities, and will take as many
willing (or unwilling) followers WITH them to the
jailhouse, the church house, and/or the morgue.
The
Bible says that there are works of the flesh
(Galatians, Chapter 5) and, in addition there are
three doorways into the soul that will corrupt even
the best of men and women if they are breached.
These are: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the
flesh, and the pride of life (I John 2:16). These
are the three doorways which gangs use to turn many
a young person into an unfeeling, underachieving,
uneducated killing machine.
Even
some of the ‘good’ teens of society who,
incidentally, may go to church.
What?
You think that it is an ‘accident’ that many of the
colors, signs, and methodology for gangs comes
straight from the Bible? Even Satan and his demons
can read scripture! They just have a problem with
two words: Jesus Christ.
But, I
digress.
How
then are gangs able to recruit, train and ‘make
their own disciples’? Simple. The gang--through
their recruiters--systematically break down the
‘three doorways’ of resistance, and unlock the evil
already stored in the average teen. All it takes to
be ‘successful’ is to breach these doorways alone or
in combination. A little ‘peer pressure’ here, a
little ‘blunting’ there, a little spending money or
some sexual thrills. Mix in some intimidation,
immorality, and ignorance, and you have a gang
member ready to serve their ‘leadership’.
THE CHURCH ASLEEP--AND GANGS LOVE IT:
Like
clockwork, there have been a host of gang tragedies
around the country as the weather has gotten warmer.
Unfortunately, the one group which should be able to
reach out to the gangs (and set the captives free),
support the home, and speak out against sins on the
streets of many a city are too interested in
politics, parties, and entertainment.
Interestingly, there will be FEW churches in our
land who will be holding gang conferences this
spring and summer to expose local gang activity.
However many churches WILL have:
*Political rallies & voter registration drives.
*Fundraisers For HIV/AIDS.
*Lively funeral services for gang slaying victims.
*But
NO conferences to inform their congregations about
gangs.
Gang
activity is like any other vice: It’s ‘out of sight
and out of mind’ as it will hurt some feelings and
point some fingers at those IN churches who are
either involved in MSGs, or, those who ‘support’
such activities from the sidelines. It seems that
many churches have been ‘laughing’ off the spiritual
side of gangs as well.
Which
is EXACTLY what the gangs want to continue to have
happen.
See
you next month.
