Hannah-+Article+Review

Hannah Copeskey

Professor Plichta

ED 102

5 December 2011

Article Review In my article //Teenagers, Clothing, and Gang Violence// by Jim Burke, the article goes over how parents should get involved with their children and their clothing choices because there has been recent violence happening that are associated with gang colors or clothing. By accident or for protection purposes, students who aren’t in a gang wear clothing with certain sayings or colors on them that are some how connected to gangs. An example of this is a situation atSan LeandroHigh School in the fall of 1990. There they had 3 out of the 20 students (depending on who talks to who) were injured in a riot stemmed from facial tensions that erupted on that particular day. In anEastBay suburban school, a freshman in one of Burke’s classes told him that her boyfriend had been robbed of his Raiders jacket while the theft held a gun to his head. She was shot at several weeks ago for wearing black and red- colors of a gang which isn’t welcome to that neighborhood by other gangs. Burke goes into how these gang members wear these certain colors or clothing with names written on them (i.e. Raiders, Kings) because it is like a “uniform.” This is to communicate publicly his membership with a group to those around him. The gang member will alter the clothing, individualizing his or her clothing by having his or her name embroidered on it, or even writing the gang’s name under the bill of his or her hat. Others follow this trend of clothing to feel protected. They feel if they wear a Raiders or Kings jacket, then people will leave them alone and not hurt/harass them, making them feel protected/safe. Instead, they put off the message that they are in the gang and make others feel unsafe and getting guns, bats, etc. for protection. Girls get into this gang lifestyle for the same reason. They are with these gangs or with guys who are in gangs to feel protected or are just too afraid to say no. What Burke is trying to tell parents and school teachers is that what kids wear can put them in danger. So, inform the students and try and give them a safe place or a way for them to feel protected/have a place to go to for protection if they aren’t getting it at home. Burke believes that bridging the school to the community can help students feel they are protected or have a sense of safety. By getting the school into the community and the communities involved with the schools, this can help draw the students away from the hazardous rites of passage they now seek out for. Instead, these connections will help students have a sense of belonging to the community. Burke also talks about how teachers help and try bridge this gap for students, as well as performing acts of kindness and work to bring these teens into the fold. An example of this is one of his freshman students, Richard. Richard recently returned from jail for a gang-related assault. Richard was brought into the community, where they can see as well as himself, his picture in the newspaper. The community recognizes him along with other students for his work with a group of retired older adults. This is to help provide a positive, humane, and safe environment or network for these youths who participate in the community. They, in turn, are recognized by the community that we get them away from the other gangs that instill fear. I feel this is important for teachers to be aware of because it is to ensure the safety of the family, the students, and themselves. Plus, it helps the students have an outlet for problems going on at home and connecting with the community. This is something all teachers should watch out for and inform parents about. This way, the parents can help build a sense of protection/safety as well as the teacher inside the school.