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To deal with gang violence: let's be part of the solution
Originally appeared on spirituality.com
Urban warfare is nothing new to Los Angeles, where I live. In the 60s, Angelenos were glued to the television as we watched the racially charged Watts riots from the comfort of our living rooms. Then in the 90s, I saw the city burn during what became known as the Rodney King riots. Again racially triggered, this second set of riots pointed to long-standing challenges within the city that were not being addressed: police brutality, poor inner-city education, unemployment, and its resulting poverty.
Gangs aren’t a new phenomenon, and they aren’t unique to Los Angeles or the United States. They’re a problem that needs to be tackled worldwide. Gangs have been associated with major cities in many countries. In Bulgaria, Canada, Brazil, and Pakistan, gang violence has been particularly brutal.
Sometimes when a challenge seems so pervasive and insurmountable, we’re inclined to ask “What can I possibly do about it?” Seeking an answer to this question has brought me to a meaningful course of action. First and foremost, I’ve seen the need to actively pray about the situation on a regular basis.
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About the author
Colleen Douglass is a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science who lives in Los Angeles, California, United States.
