Gang Violence in America

Numerous global issues and problems affect the world today. Many issues such as gang violence, drugs, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or better known as AIDS are prominent throughout the world. Among all of these issues, gang violence is one of the most rapidly growing problems. Many innocent lives are affected by these violent outbreaks between gangs for such reasons as revenge, territory, or status according to the Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles. The Federal Bureau of Investigations reported that in 2006 there are almost 30,000 gangs, 800,000 members in America, and over 2,500 areas of America are affected. This gang violence is not limited to the United States either. Gang violence is becoming an increasing problem in such areas as Central America and even stretches into Japan. With those statistics growing every year, it is apparent that this issue must be addressed quickly and some kind of solution or prevention programs must be instituted.

To address the issue of gang violence, one must first understand the history of this issue. In America, gang violence began in the 1800’s, but started its rise in the early 1900’s. Violent riots over racial issues arose because of the immigration of the time. Gangs then began to form when the act of prohibition was instituted. These gangs would bootleg liquor into America to sell to speak-easy’s or illegal bars. Issues regarding race arose during the Civil Rights Act during the 1960’s and gangs such as the Ku-Klux-Klan came to power and threatened many people in America. The issue of gang violence spread around the nation and continues to grow today even with many prevention programs becoming available to the public.

According to the Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles, the first “gang capital” of the world was London, England. This title has been frequently passed on to other cities within a vast amount of countries around the world. Central America now faces this problem frequently with many deaths caused by gang warfare over such issues as drugs. In Africa, gangs have been prevalent for many years and affect society there today. A gang known as the Yakuza in Japan terrorized the citizens for years and even entered surrounding countries.

Moreover, gang violence must be prevented from affecting anymore innocent lives. Youth around the world must be informed and educated to the devastation this violence causes and more programs must be created. After-school programs have been put in place throughout America and other countries which give the impressionable youth a place to be safe. As a college student at California State University Fresno, instituting programs or clubs to inform others of the impact of gang violence would be an initial step to prevent the spread of this problem. I could go to the local high schools and speak to our youth about the issue or volunteer in an after-school program. Many innocent people could be saved from this violence by simply informing our youth of the issue.