Re-Imagining the War on Gangs

Ivan Paz

The War on Gangs

•Preventative

•Retributive

•Transformational

Observations for Video

•Marginalization

•Withdrawl of Resources

•Historical Shifts

What did you see?•Social/Systemic Issues?

•Behavioral Patterns?

•Incentives to join?

Gang Culture (sub-cultures)

•Gangs are unconventional communities with their own means of security

•Physical•Judicial•Economic•Social

•Gang culture has shaped the inner-city culture by reversing marginalization and resource withdrawal

Gang Culture Characteristics 1•Language, Art, and Expression–Tattoos, Fashion, Music, Graffiti

•Initiation–Traditional Initiation–Initiation Through Association–Generational Initiation

•Taboos–Snitching–Weakness–Half-Stepping–Pedophilia

Gang Culture Characteristics 2

•Values–Love for Community Territory

–Loyalty to Community Friends

–Living in Community Common

–Recognition and Respect

Gang Influence on a Community

•Distrust in the Law

•“Snitch” Labeling

•Violence

•Fear

Missiological Principles: Asset-Based Development•What are some redeemable assets?

•Kingdom Craylon

•The Power of the Gospel

•Hope Now For Youth

•Reversing Social Marginalization & Resource Withdrawl

Biblical Study:Jephthah- The OT Thug

Background

•Author: Unknown•Date: between Joshua’s death and Saul’s monarchy•Background: Sin, War, Repentance Deliverance•Judges: Hero not a Legal Exec•Jephthah: Heb “God will open”

Individual Read

•Observe the Text•Explore the Text•Feel the Story

Class Discussion

•How does society view Jephthah?

•His reaction?

•How does God see Jephthah?•What was the community’s role in the story of Jeph?

QUESTIONS

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ANSWERS