Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (D-CA-33rd) today convened a conference on youth violence with local area high school student leaders. Students from Duke Ellington, Crenshaw, Dorsey, Los Angeles, View Park, Manuel Arts, and Whitney Young High Schools gathered at the FAME Renaissance Center to discuss the causes and effects of youth and gang violence and ways to reduce the levels of violence.
In her opening remarks, Congresswoman Watson noted that “violence in America has reached pandemic levels” and that “the city of Los Angeles has for many years suffered from serious levels of youth and gang violence.” “All too often, we adults fail to effectively listen to those people, our youth, who are directly impacted by youth and gang violence.”
“We read and hear about terrorist activities in Iraq. We should also be aware that we have terrorists right here in our cities. How is the recent pleading of a 14 year-old boy for his life here in Los Angeles any different from beheadings that take place in Iraq?”
The students were asked by the seminar’s moderator, Cecil McLinn, principal of Duke Ellington High School, for their input on a number of topics including major contributing factors to youth violence, the impact of violence on their community and society, successful anti-violence interventions, and the impact of the media.
Lack of extra-curricular activities, gang activity, poor role models, poverty, and racism were frequently mentioned by students as the root causes of youth violence.
Seminar participants also listed a number of initiatives they believe would lower levels of youth violence: stricter school dress codes; more sports programs, after-school and extra-curricular activities; internships; jobs; anger management; and mentoring. Participants also noted that youth violence programs are often made available to cream of the crop students –those who need it the least – and often fail to benefit those in real need or trouble.
In her closing remarks, Congresswoman Watson thanked the students for their valuable input and participation and noted that “the key to preventing, or stemming the increase of youth violence is to understand where and when it occurs, what causes it, and which strategies for prevention and intervention are most effective. With your participation in this seminar, I believe we have taken an important first step.”
For additional information contact Bert Hammond, Communications Director or Lois Hill Hale, Press Secretary at 323-965-1422.
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