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
&
ANSWERS