Yesterday, almost 150 members of Varrio Hawaiian Gardens gang–a predominately Latino gang in Southern California–were charged with drug dealing and carrying out acts of racially-motivated violence and initimidation against African Americans. According to the U.S. State’s Attorney, “Their general message was that if you were in this city, you’d better not be African-American.”

All communities want to be safe and have a right be safe, but we have to make sure we’re doing more than just employing a reactive strategy to create this environment. While I’m pleased that more than 10% of the gang was arrested–the deeper root of the problem lies somewhere in a quest to overcome poverty, and a false sense of superiority that has driven members of this gang to terrorize their African American neighbors. Once they are arrested and (hopefully) brought to justice, what will happen to them? Will they sink deeper into the depressing and convoluted power structure of the Mexican mafia that is suspected of calling the shots? Will they actually be rehabilitated with a sense of empowerment to use their skills for the betterment of their families and communities? And what will become of the other 90% of the gang, still (in theory) committed to terrorizing their African American neighbors? We have to figure out a way to overcome this internalized racism and oppression.

Copyright 2009 Monique W. Morris

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