Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Ex-Gang Member Reaches Out to Local Youth
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March 10, 2012 at 12:05 am #602450
DBPMemberNext Friday (March 16) the White Center Trusted Advocates sponsoring a talk by ex-gang member Carlos Garza. (See info at the bottom of this post.)
I had given up on announcing and reporting on these Trusted Advocates events, because nobody on the Blog was coming to them. However, in a recent discussion on military recruiting in our high schools, some folks implied that I should be more concerned with reducing gang violence than about the military presence in our schools.
Well . . . truth be told, I care about both. And I always have.
And now, my question to the critics is: Do YOU care about gang violence as well? Or were just trying to administer a smoke enema?
If you really DO care, then you should come hear Mr. Garza talk about his own experience in a gang, as well as his strategies for keeping our young people OUT of gangs. While you’re there, you could ask him whether he thinks military service is a good option for gang-influenced youth. Who knows . . . maybe he’ll agree with you.
If you’ve got the guts, you can even meet me in person at this presentation (I’ll be flying my 99% colors). But Mr. Garza is really hoping to see some teenagers there, so if you bring one of those along, I’ll get you a beer at the Triangle afterward.
–David Preston
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March 10, 2012 at 2:17 am #750966
WMOParticipantThank you David for this posting.
SR Garza has a very important lesson to be taught. I hope all parents with children at risk will attend this event. I look forward to meeting you David, and reintroducing myself to SR Garza. I may be wrong, but I met him in a different era, late 70’s. If I am correct, his crew saved my life one evening.
March 10, 2012 at 3:08 am #750967
JoBParticipanti am glad to see this kind of program here
it is needed everywhere
alas.. i have no teens to bring
but i couldn’t drink the beer anyway
March 10, 2012 at 4:34 am #750968
JanSParticipantI could drink your beer, but I don’t have a teen, either. Maybe I could grab a couple on the way to or from the high school at lunchtime…
March 10, 2012 at 5:20 am #750969
smyParticipantDBP,
Thank you for reaching out. This is an important topic for all communities and anyone who is a parent or in any way connected to a child.
Just to consider, this is a good event to send notice to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program if you are able (https://www.bbbsps.org/NetCommunity/sslpage.aspx).
Having been involved as a “Big” for a number of years in the past, there are likely many parents and supporters and “Littles/Bigs” that would gain from hearing Carlos’s words.
Thank you for starting this thread, will try to be there. This touches a big chord for me personally, and I appreciate that you are posting on this topic and sending word out.
The reason I got involved with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program involved a shooting in W Sea a number of years ago. A child that had gotten out of his gang and was going so very far in the W Sea community. His grades had improved immensely, he was the ping pong champ at a local community center, and he was gaining so much.
This young boy and his life that ended were my motivation to get involved finally.
His life shouldn’t have ended the way it did.
His end of life had an impact, trust me.
It was absolutely not without some kind of positive.
DBP, from your perspective, is Carlos’s talk one that would be appropriate for younger children, teens and parents alike to attend?
Also, whether they have or know a child at risk or not?
S
March 10, 2012 at 7:06 pm #750970
DBPMembersmy: I think it would be best for teens and parents to go together, but from personal experience, I know it’s hard to get tough, cool teenagers to do anything in the company of their hopelessly square parents.
I’ll drop the local B & G’s Club a line on this, but I believe other people have already contacted them.
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Personal note: When I lived in the praw-jeks, back in the ’90s, my teen daughter was getting sucked into one of the SE Asian/PI gangs that was operating out of there, and it was all my wife and I could do to keep her out. We ended up having to pull up roots and change school districts, just to cut all her ties with those punks. It worked, but to this day, she still resents us for cutting her off from all her “friends.”
She ended up going into the Army right out of high school, partly for something to do and partly just to piss me off. And it worked. It did piss me off.
Still, as much as I dislike the Army, I’d rather have her be there for her whole life than to have her be in a street gang for even one day. So, in that sense, I agree with the military people on the other thread.
Gangs suck. Big time.
March 13, 2012 at 4:43 pm #750971
DBPMemberI asked Carlos Garza three questions related to his presentation.
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DBP: Carlos, tell me why people in White Center / West Seattle should care about gangs.
CG: I think that it is really important that people in West Seattle and White Center should be aware of gangs, because there many active gang members in the area who are causing problems in the community. And if we don’t care and don’t get involved, we will be looking at more problems in our community. So we need to start caring.
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DBP: Has the gang problem gotten better or worse in the last 10 years, and why?
CG: In the last 10 years there has been a dramatic increase in gang activity in the community. But with the help of the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, within the past 3 years gang violence has decreased tremendously.
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DBP: A lot of people may feel like gangs are somebody else’s problem to deal with. For example, I’ve heard people say: “This is not my problem; this is a problem for the parents, or the police.” As a middle-aged White person with no young children, is there anything I can do to make a difference?
CG: I feel that if you are not a part of the solution you are a part of the problem. There are so many things that “a middle-aged White person” can do for their community . . . such as becoming active as a mentor, a tutor, and even being a friend. You can go to you nearest Family and Youth Services office and speak to a case manager or a director of the program to get involved.
It takes a village to save a child.
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March 13, 2012 at 5:37 pm #750972
SueParticipantDavid, I really appreciate when you post things like this, or those cultural dinners you posted about in the past, etc. If I don’t show up, it’s not because I don’t care or wasn’t interested. It’s just that I’m overcommitted with a lot of things and just don’t have time in my schedule. This one is no exception – I have a client coming that night. Please don’t think your posts fall on deaf ears. Just busy ones. :)
March 13, 2012 at 5:56 pm #750973
DBPMemberMarch 13, 2012 at 6:17 pm #750974
DBurnsParticipantWith your permission, I would like to print this announcement and put it up at my shop.
Yesterday, the father of a boy my son grew up with and went to school with through last year, came into our shop and told my husband and myself that he is losing his son to the streets. At 14 he has his first arrest, and was expelled from Sealth as a freshman. “It didn’t really matter though, because he wasn’t going anyway.” Now the Housing Authority is forcing him to move his son out or lose his High Point housing. He is going to appeal that today. Single dad who has always been there for his son; loves him so very much. The unspoken words yesterday that we all know, is that his son is now (who knows the truth) claiming to be a “Blood”.
After he left my husband left to go pick up our son from school downtown and I tearfully said to him that the reality is that we will see one of these adorable, loving, smart, athletic boys that my son went to school with, end up in jail or worse. It really hit me hard, because I still see them as 6 year olds.
This event is exactly what this boy needs. I truly hope that it is successful and that it reaches people who will spread the message. I will do my best to attend. My teenagers are those who think it has “nothing to do with them” (wrong!!) but I will try and get them to come with me.
Thanks for posting.
March 13, 2012 at 8:12 pm #750975
DBPMemberHang on, DB. I’ll post the full flier. That will make for a better poster. Thanks.
–David
March 13, 2012 at 9:13 pm #750976
DBPMemberMarch 16, 2012 at 3:44 am #750977
smyParticipantBump
March 16, 2012 at 10:57 pm #750978
miwsParticipantBump
March 18, 2012 at 12:25 am #750979
casabobaMemberUnfortunately I couldn’t make the presentation. How did it go? How was the turn-out? Any “lessons” learned which can be shared? Thanks!
March 18, 2012 at 12:40 am #750980
miwsParticipantDBP will likely weigh in with a much more comprehensive review of the presentation, but I can say that Carlos’ story, as well that of Reuben, another gentleman, of, I believe, around 40, (Carlos is 54) who is also a former gang member.
What’s impressive, is that these guys are now mentoring at risk youth.
The most impressive part of the presentation, in my opinion, was near the beginning, when one young man, and two young women that Carlos has mentored, spoke of turning their lives around, after heading down the wrong road for a bit. One of the girls was only in the eighth grade.
I was very impressed that they each chose to make the positive change in their lives at such a young age, before their lives got any worse, and that they will hopefully have many years to live their lives on the right track.
Mike
March 18, 2012 at 4:12 am #750981
DBurnsParticipantMy favorite thing Mr. Garza said was,
“God is still in the miracle business”
And what/whoever your “God” is, the point was clear – turning your life around and CHANGE is always an option.
I appreciated what these men had to say, and I agree, the teenagers were so very impressive. The points were familiar but always good to be reminded of – how dangerous that life is, and how brave and difficult it is to get out.
My 17 year old daughter was with me and it was inspiring to hear her talk to people today about what she heard and learned from them.
These men were charming storytellers and it’s obvious that they can and are making a difference in people’s lives.
Thanks for sharing the event info.
Does someone owe me a beer? ;)
March 18, 2012 at 4:15 am #750982
DBurnsParticipantBtw, only 20 or so folks in the room but the intimate setting lent itself to easy conversation. However, the message should be heard by so many more…
March 18, 2012 at 4:34 am #750983
DBPMemberDBurns: I wondered if that was you over there. Thanks so much for coming !!!
Yes, I do owe you a beer. Please contact me at DP_Editor at comcast dot net any time to claim the beer/non-alcoholic bev. of your choice. Or look me up at Mike’s fundraiser next Sunday.
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I’m glad I went to this presentation. I agree with everything Mike and DB said. However, I was put off by two things:
1) Since this was a public meeting, Mr. Garza should not have opened it with a prayer. I’m glad he’s found Jesus — if that’s what it takes to keep him out of trouble. However, just because he’s found Jesus doesn’t mean the rest of us need to.
2) His comments about homosexuality were really off the wall, and someone needs to talk with him about that.
Guess that’s gonna be me . . .
—David
March 19, 2012 at 5:35 am #750984
casabobaMemberThere goes that “Freedom of Speech” stuff again! Sounds like a meaningful event nonetheless. I wish I could have attended. Thanks for the recap.
March 19, 2012 at 6:03 pm #750985
DBPMemberMarch 19, 2012 at 6:10 pm #750986
casabobaMemberDBP:
One cannot muzzle individuals from expressing their beliefs or opinions. One can try, but it doesn’t always work.
March 19, 2012 at 6:47 pm #750987
DBPMemberIt’s an interesting point, casa. I’m glad you brought it up.
In general, the freedom of individuals to speak their minds in a public forum is a good thing and should not be muzzled, even when it’s offensive. So I agree with you on that.
However, Mr. Garza was not exactly standing on a soapbox in front of City Hall. Rather, he was representing an organization: the Trusted Advocates.
The Trusted Advocates are a non-faith-based group. As such, they don’t want guest speakers leading the audience in religious invocations, because that would send the wrong message about the group and would ultimately discourage people from coming to their events. (Note: The TA group leadership agrees with me on this and will be taking steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.)
Mr. Garza’s remarks on “homosexuality” in prison were unacceptable for the same reason. They did not convey the image the Trusted Advocates wants to convey about itself.
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March 19, 2012 at 7:13 pm #750988
casabobaMemberLorne Michaels, executive-producer of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” probably felt similarly when Singer Sinead O’Connor tore-up a photo of Pope John Paul II on live T.V. in Oct. 1992.
Michaels is quoted as saying,”the air went out the studio”. (Michaels, who ordered that the applause sign not be used), described the incident as “on a certain level, a betrayal”, but also “a serious expression of belief.”
March 19, 2012 at 7:22 pm #750989
JVMemberDBP, overall you are doing a good deed here, and deserve credit.
That said, don’t you see the irony in your last couple posts? So, not to limit their free speech or anything, but next time you’ll provide a list of “approved topics” to discuss.
And it’s nice that he got out of gangs and he is helping the youth, but you’d just prefer that he didn’t tell anybody that he found strength in his religion to achieve those goals.
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