Why do they fight?

Many of my white friends can't understand what causes urban youth in particular to fight and join gangs, brutally injure others, and sometimes kill. Taking some insight from Tom Skinner and a look back at my previous life in the streets I could sum up the answer in two words: "the ghetto"...

The need to gain, earn and keep respect is the sole purpose for many inner city youth. Because life has been defined for many of them by survival there is no such thing as delayed gratification or thinking about the consequences. Life becomes reduced to a 4 block radius, neighborhood, or city and some young people simply cannot comprehend a world outside of their immediate influence. It is this reason why so many are told to "make something of yourself and get out of the projects", while many suburban parents tell their kids "don't go there, avoid it all costs".

Urban youth fight out of frustration and despair, the need for acceptance and approval and to earn respect. A kid who grows up in the ghetto and chooses to do good in school will not be respected in his neighborhood; a kid who holds to moral values and ethics will not be respected in his hood; a kid who desires to follow Christ and be a witness will not be respected. So because of these factors many urban youth just want to fit in. I believe that W.E.B Debois was correct in his writing that inner city blacks lack self esteem and purpose.

How do we cure it? Urban youth need to know they are made in the image of God and created for worship. For too long we have abandoned hope for inner city children and deemed them thugs and hoodlems. While our assessment may be correct these are the very people God has called us to go to with the gospel. If you believe the power of the gospel then build relationships through various programs and begin mentoring an inner city youth. Ask them questions and learn from them why it is so hard to make good choices in life.

Ultimately they fight because the lack direction and long term goals. They have bought into the lie that their lives and human life in general is of no value. They need to know what God thinks about them (Psalm 139) and have a fresh outlook on how the rest of the world live. They need mentors, teachers, coaches, and inspiring experiences to show them life is bigger than the ghetto in which they reside. Won't you step in and be a repairer of the breach? Join the movement in our city...The ASPIRE Movement.

JW