I am very impressed with the faith community of Richmond for taking a visible lead in bringing civility back to the City of Richmond. In the article it stated that a rainbow of people participated in the 7 minutes of prayer and the gathering at the City Hall. Knowing Richmond’s reputation, new people who have chosen to live in Richmond because they believe in the rainbow ideals and want to live with people of all races. Nonetheless, they did not choose to live with violence and young people killing themselves and innocent bystanders.

We have a rich Black culture here that can enrich all of us. Still we are denied it because of the violence and the fear, real and imagined, of going into some neighborhoods. Most of the Bay Area sidesteps the whole city because of the violence and makes us all the poorer.

What I am most concerned about is the segregation that results. Not knowing each other, not shopping together, not being part of each others’ lives breeds distrust, dislike, and lack of cooperation in dealing with citywide issues of jobs, the environment, casinos, toxins, etc.

Perhaps now we have a chance to become a community due to the faith community.

Richmond Confidential continues to grow in readership and range of issues.

Thank you,
Robert
rrogers@berkeley.edu

http://www.amazon.com/Imprisoning-Communities-Incarceration-Disadvantaged-Neighborhoods/dp/0195387201/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1267997934&sr=8-1-fkmr2

Imprisoning Communities: How Mass Incarceration Makes Disadvantaged Neighborhoods Worse (Studies in Crime and Public Policy) (Paperback)
~Prof Todd R Clear

By: Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney

As a Cherokee Native American Activist and a former member of the Richmond California Violence Prevention Movement, I have seen close to 515 homicides in the City of Richmond from 2001 to the present.

The declaration of a ‘war on violence’ by the Richmond city government was not the panacea, instead it failed miserably.

I have often stated in town hall meetings and on television, the best way to win the ‘war on violence’ in Richmond is to ‘TEACH THE VALUES OF PEACE’.

In the killing fields of Richmond, most of the victims of homicides are youth or young adults. Teaching the values of peace begins with our youth and young adults. From a Native perspective, winning the war on violence begins in the home with a strong, spiritual belief and value system.

We believe that Creator made all generations, past, present and those of the future, holy people. This is what our Elders teach us from the time we are born.

Our families and Elders teach our young people that they must tear away the images and stereotypes that mainstream society has placed upon them as Native peoples.

Violence and killing is not traditional in Native culture, it is a learned behavior from mainstream society.

We teach our youths not to attack, punish or beat themselves up for crimes that they have never committed in regards to racism. Our Elders and families teach our young people to have good self-esteem, self-worth and self-value, for as the original holy people this was Creators plan.

Native people know that it is both family and community responsibility to teach the values of peace to our young people.

We teach our young people honesty and accountability concerning violence. It begins with accepting responsibility for self and acknowledging any past use of violence.

Admitting any wrongdoing, communicating openly and truthfully to renounce the use of violence in the future places our youth on the right path. We place a heavy emphasis that all life is sacred.

The final lesson in teaching the values of peace is quite simple. It is helping young people understand their relationship to others and all things in Creation.

Be responsible for your role, act with compassion and respect, and remember ALL LIFE IS SACRED. Native culture is prevention!

Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney

http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogspot.com