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US Attorney General Eric Holder's Statement On Youth and School Violence in the United States Source: US Department of Justice Published Monday, 12 October, 2009 - 16:48 Story tools Print this articlePrint this article Email to a friendEmail to a friend Give us your feedback.Your feedback Nearly two weeks ago, this nation was shocked by a video showing scenes of such graphic violence that they have left an indelible mark in the mind of every American who has seen them. For the many Americans who live with the threat of violence every day, the video was a sad reminder of the harshness and cruelty that remains all too prevalent in many parts of this country. For others, it was a stark wake up call to a reality that can be easy for many to ignore as they go about their day to day lives. For me, it was a call to action to address a challenge that affects the entire nation. Youth violence isn’t a Chicago problem, any more than it is a black problem or a white problem. It’s something that affects communities big and small, and people of all races and colors. The Department of Justice is releasing a new study today that measures the effects of youth violence in America, and the results are staggering. More than 60 percent of the children surveyed were exposed to violence in the past year, either directly or indirectly. Nearly half of children and adolescents were assaulted at least once, and more than one in ten were injured as a result. Nearly one-quarter were the victim of a robbery, vandalism or theft, and one in sixteen were victimized s*xually. Those numbers are astonishing, and they are unacceptable. We simply cannot stand for an epidemic of violence that robs our youth of their childhood and perpetuates a cycle in which today’s victims become tomorrow’s criminals. We’re here today to continue a public safety conversation that the Obama Administration started on day one. It has included a law enforcement summit I hosted at the Department of Justice, a White House gang prevention conference, and countless episodes of collaboration with local law enforcement. But it’s not a conversation where we want to do all the talking. We want to listen to educators, parents, and experts in the field, and find out the best ideas for addressing this urgent problem. We’re not interested in just scratching the surface or focusing on generalities, and as we delve into this problem we’re not going to protect any sacred cows. We’re here to learn firsthand what’s happening on our streets so we can devise effective solutions. Our responses to this issue in the past have been fragmented. The federal government does one thing, states do another, and localities do a third. We need a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address youth violence, one that encompasses the latest research and the freshest approaches. Our administration is committed to implementing such strategies, which is why we’ve asked for $24 million in next year’s budget for community-based crime prevention programs such as Ceasefire and Project Safe Neighborhood. And it’s why our Office of Justice Programs is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support and assistance to communities affected by violence. There are no quick and easy fixes. Our approach will need to involve not just law enforcement, but also faith-based organizations, the business community, and social services groups. We will need a combination of prevention, intervention, and targeted enforcement. We started by meeting today with community leaders here in Chicago, and with students from Fenger High School. I’ll be honest – these weren’t all easy conversations. There is a lot of frustration and a lot of pain right now, and there should be. The status quo is not acceptable. But I want the people of Chicago and the people of this nation to know that we are not going to rest until we’ve done everything we can to protect the American people and to stem this tide of violence. The Department of Justice has already committed resources to helping keep our children and our schools safe. Just last week we announced $16 million through the COPS' Secure Our Schools program in grants to law enforcement agencies and municipalities throughout the country, including almost half a million to the city of Chicago. These grants provide funds to improve security in schools and on school grounds by helping pay for security measures like metal detectors, locks, surveillance systems and other equipment to help deter crime. These are first steps, and we will do more. I’ve talked to the President about this, and he is firmly committed to this issue, as are Secretary Duncan and I. So today is the continuation of what is a sustained, national effort on behalf of this entire administration to address youth violence and to make our streets safe for everyone.
Posted By: Steve Williams
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 at 6:05PM
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I find it extremely disappointing he could not find anything more intelligent to say about this problem.
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 at 6:07PM
Steve Williams
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COMMENTARY
Youth violence discussion must be honestly focused
By MARY SANCHEZ
The Kansas City Star
Let’s be honest. No “national conversation on values” is going to take place because of Derrion Albert. The honor roll student deserves to be remembered.
But don’t expect many people to recall the 16-year-old’s name for long, despite voyeuristically watching his death, recorded by a cell phone camera.
Yes, that child. Derrion was the Chicago sophomore attacked during a September street brawl, hit in the head with a splintered railroad tie, knocked to the ground, stomped and kicked until he died.
Besides a run for the Internet-posted footage, Derrion’s death prompted the recent dog-and-pony show by Education Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
Duncan made the national conversation plea. Holder made the requisite speech about the need for our nation to focus on preventing the violence that far too often destroys young lives.
“Youth violence is not a Chicago problem, any more than it is a black problem, a white problem or a Hispanic problem,” Holder said. “It is an American problem.”
He’s right, in theory. I’ve written many times that the problems of one community filter to others, that “we’re all in this together,” that every child deserves to be safe and have access to a good education.
But Derrion’s death won’t shock people into action. Rather, it solidifies beliefs about the danger of urban areas.
I suspect most suburban Americas were horrified at the footage. And grateful that their children are relatively safe from similar random violence. No shame should come from admitting this.
The people who live in Derrion’s neighborhood are shaking their heads over his recorded death as proof that no one is safe, not even children who work hard at school and stay out of gangs.
And that sort of recognition doesn’t so much elicit action as it does dismay. People are driven to action by images that shock them to a new understanding, not those that simply bring proof to what they already hold true.
The federal officials squandered their national spotlight by linking Derrion’s death to the release of the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence. You might have heard the rallying cry: More than 60 percent of youth had been exposed to violence in the past year.
Peel past that headline and the findings dilute the message. The 4,500 people surveyed were asked about a huge range of “violence” ranging from Internet harassment to arguments between siblings.
Duncan and Holder undoubtedly wanted to engage more of America to face the truth that all children can face harm. Bullying, dating violence, domestic violence and the threat of Internet s*xual predators can be found in neighborhoods of great wealth. Random violence, however, is far more prevalent and tolerated where gangs wander the streets, drugs are sold openly and the illicit deeds of one family member can result in assaults on an entire family.
Duncan and Holder stifled their own message, along with some keen insights in the report about how violence can disrupt children’s abilities to develop.
A bit of playground bullying or knowing that a house down the street has been robbed is not the same as witnessing a murder, watching your father beat your mother nightly or fearing you might be attacked by a gang while walking home from school.
I’d have far preferred that Duncan and Holder talked more openly about urban poverty, about the fact that most people weren’t surprised that a heinous murder such as Derrion’s occurred in a poor black community.
Rather than pretending that all children face the same risks in life, we ought to be talking more about why we’ve evolved as a nation to make some children so much more vulnerable to deadly threats than others, and what can be done about it.
That is a conversation about values worth starting.
To reach Mary Sanchez, call 816-234-4752 or send e-mail to msanchez@kcstar.com.
Posted on Mon, Oct. 12, 2009 10:15 PM
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 at 6:16PM
Steve Williams
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Duncan's response. For the full press conference see:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/10/ho...
Now I would like to turn it over to the secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.
SEC. DUNCAN: In recent weeks America has seen a side of Chicago that we all wish didn't exist. The graphic video of Fenger High School student Derrion Albert being fatally beaten is terrifying, heartbreaking and tragic. It shocks the conscience. This bright and happy young honors student had his whole life ahead of him but now has been cut short due to senseless violence.
I came here at the direction of the president, not to place blame on anyone, but to join with Chicago, with communities across America in taking responsibility for this death and the deaths of so many other young people over the years -- shining stars like Blair Holt, Starkeisha Reed and Danchel Davis (sp), and dozens of others over the years here in Chicago who were victims of a society that has somehow lost its way and that -- and has allowed too many of our children to devalue life.
Somehow many of our young people have lost faith in the future. They've been denied the love, support and guidance they need, and grown up believing that their life is not worth anything, but no one else's life is worth anything either. It's difficult to show love when you've never been loved. It's difficult to build a positive future when you don't think you'll live past the age of 18.
These are problems we cannot solve just with money or by pointing fingers at each other or by looking the other way. We must engage directly with our children, starting at the youngest age, and must engage with them at every stage of their lives and teach them that violence doesn't solve anything and that respect for others is THE foundation for a safe and healthy society.
It's an important lesson that every parent, every teacher and every adult needs to understand, so they can pass it on to young people, whether it's their own children or someone else's. Every adult shares in this responsibility. Every adult needs to connect, because all children need adults in their lives. It starts with parents, but always continues with others -- teachers, coaches, mentors and friends.
I came here today not merely out of sadness, but with hope and compassion for our children.
I came here because I believe in Chicago's capacity to deal with this openly, honestly and directly.
This is my home. This is the city I grew up in; where I played ball, and tutored children in a church on a South Side basement. My friends are here; my family is here. I learned everything I know in these communities and in these schools, and I learned about character.
This is a city that never gives up when it's challenged. This is a city that always unites in the face of adversity. This is a city that has produced great leaders and thinkers, a great mayor, and America's first black president, men and women who are shaping the future and giving real meaning to the words like "courage" and "strength" and "pride."
Chicago won't be defined by this incident, but rather by our response to it. So I came here today to join with all of you, and with communities across America, for a national conversation on values. It's a conversation that should happen in every city, in every suburb, in every town in America where violence and intolerance and discrimination exist.
Chicago is not unique. Four students have been shot in Tulsa, Oklahoma already this year. Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami, New Orleans, and many rural communities have also lost schoolchildren to violence in recent weeks. And the cost goes far beyond the immediate victims and their families. When children are fearful, they can't learn. And if they can't learn, then we are all at risk, because our future depends on the quality of education we give our children.
This morning, Attorney General Eric Holder and I started the conversation with Mayor Daley and with faith and community leaders. We talked with elected officials and school officials. We also met with Fenger students and parents and the principal. And the students -- it was amazing -- were united in the request for one thing. They want mentors. They want more adults in their lives who care about them. They're extraordinary children at Fenger, and they want us to meet them more than halfway.
We plan to go to other cities, and to meet and talk with people and find ways to protect our children. I am committed to this fight. I am committed to this cause. I promise to work as long as necessary to rid our country of this plague.
I also told CPS officials the Department of Education is planning to give an emergency grant to help restore the learning environment at Fenger. They can choose the money -- to use the money as they best see fit -- and Principal Liz Dozier is doing an extraordinary job there -- whether it's for counselors, or for extended-day programs, or to help build mentoring programs. This money is not just for Fenger, but for schools that feed into Fenger as well.
But we all know this is not about money. Money alone will never solve this problem. It's much deeper than that. It's about values, and it's about who we are as a society. And it's about taking responsibility for our young people, to teach them what they need to know to live side-by-side and deal with their differences without anger and without violence. They must learn to love themselves, and to love each other.
Every one of us must take responsibility for this.
To those who seek to lay blame on anyone else, I challenge you to ask first, what have you done?
This is the time to look in the collective mirror and ask whether we like what we see or whether we can do better and do better together. I challenge every parent, community leader and adult to step up and join in this conversation.
No one, no one, should get a pass today. I challenge our students to sit down with each other, to talk, to listen and debate and come together, to create the kind of action we need. And again the students today from Fenger were absolutely phenomenal.
The first responsibility of a healthy society is to find common ground and work together towards the common good. That's what made America. That's what made Chicago. And that's what it will take for communities, across this country, to bring an end to this violence that has taken the lives of so many smart, gifted and talented young people.
I am forever grateful that all that Chicago has offered me. I was deeply honored to serve this mayor. I am deeply honored now to serve this president. Above all, I'm honored to serve the people of Chicago and America.
And today, I ask for your hand in partnership to work together, to raise our children safely, to enable to them to grow up free of fear and to educate them and allow them to fulfill their dreams. As fathers, as parents, that's what we want for all of our children.
Thank you.
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 at 6:29PM
Steve Williams
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..."There are no quick and easy fixes. Our approach will need to involve not just law enforcement, but also faith-based organizations, the business community, and social services groups. We will need a combination of prevention, intervention, and targeted enforcement"...
I think the quick and easy fix is to have parents be responsible for raising their kids to know right from wrong so yes in this wise, I do think his address was more of the same BS. Thanks for the blog Bro. Steve.
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 at 3:44AM
Jen Fad
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..."These are problems we cannot solve just with money or by pointing fingers at each other or by looking the other way. We must engage directly with our children, starting at the youngest age, and must engage with them at every stage of their lives and teach them that violence doesn't solve anything and that respect for others is THE foundation for a safe and healthy society.
It's an important lesson that every parent, every teacher and every adult needs to understand, so they can pass it on to young people, whether it's their own children or someone else's. Every adult shares in this responsibility"...
I agree with what Sec. Duncan has stated. We have to as parents engage our kids early in their lives. In Canada, the government funds free programs for kids ages birth to 6 years and there are recreation centers in every neighborhood. Poverty is a real problem in Urban cities in the States, but if there were things like what I mentioned to keep kids engaged like there are in Canada, there would be a huge decrease in violence and gang related activities.
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 at 3:54AM
Jen Fad
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Sister Jen, I did appreciate Mr. Duncan's statement. To continue where you left off:
"Every adult shares in this responsibility. Every adult needs to connect, because all children need adults in their lives. It starts with parents, but always continues with others -- teachers, coaches, mentors and friends."
And of special relevance to me:
"And the students -- it was amazing -- were united in the request for one thing. They want mentors. They want more adults in their lives who care about them. They're extraordinary children at Fenger, and they want us to meet them more than halfway."
All of my kids are grown, and maybe it's the empty nest syndrome, but not just that... This is where I can help. Mr. Duncan has pledged "I am committed to this fight. I am committed to this cause. I promise to work as long as necessary to rid our country of this plague."
These are the words of hope I was looking for and I have more hope to write to him and add my support, than I have faith in our lawmakers. I intend to hold him to his promise and he will get the same from me.
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 at 5:46AM
Steve Williams
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Brother Steve,
I appaud your stand and I join you in keeping Duncan accountable. I also agree with you in that children truly want adults (parents/teachers/coaches/church leaders) in their lives. It's sad that some parents have chosen to replace time spent with their kids with things as if that is the best.
These lawmakers have no real vested interest in these kids. I really do think President Obama is probably sincere, but I don't think real change can come from lawmakers. This must be a grass roots level change with people who have a vested interest.
You know on another note, I kind of regreat Chicago wasn't chosen as the city to host the Olympics. Perhaps if it (Chicago) had been selected to host the Games, then a real Interest to make the place safer if not for the citizens, but for the tourists. God help us help the children.
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 at 11:03AM
Jen Fad
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There are three major things missing that I think would go a very long way in helping to solve this problem: Love, Conflict Resolution Classes and Anger Management Classes. Out youth are in pain, some hurt runs very very deep, many have been let down and mistreated by the very adults in their lives that are suppose to give a darn about them. Many wonder how is it possible for people that don't know them can love and care more for them than their own parents and/or guardians. As to the other two ideas I mentioned. Those skills are not something that many adults learn, therefore it is not uncommon for the children to lack the same skills that many adults can't even teach them. I think the last two should be apart of the regular class curriculum. Just my thoughts.
Thursday, October 15th 2009 at 1:11AM
Marquerite Burgess
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Hello to all,
Mr. Clark in my wisdom you are the only one that is making more sense than everyone else when you said this, “Holder came out and said what he had to say, words that have been said many times before” and this, “People are tired of being told what the problems and symptoms are; they get that.”
Now, because we are a people that are blind, deaf and dumb we do the same things repeatedly expecting a different result. Others seems to think that we are not just blind, deaf and dumb but insane as an entire race of people.
We need a permanent solution, am I right. I have said to all of you that our only permanent solution is to become a sovereign people or have complete independence on a portion of this continent that we could call our very own country with borders. When this happens and it will be by an act of God, we will be in the position to deal with our own problems. Common sense should tell us that every race has their own particular problems that only they could resolve for themselves.
Now, if it should take White America to help us resolve our problems it should be obvious that we are a subjugated people by White America as well as an inferior people to White America. Who can say that my insight is wrong?
Tell me what you think.
Thursday, October 15th 2009 at 9:57AM
Harry Watley
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Let me share an email I got from Urban Peace Movement which is based in Oakland CA. Unfortunately I no longer live there, but I will see if my son and his friends will support them. Or as the email says you may donate tickets to the young people in their program
Dear Friends,
Oct. 25th is approaching fast! The Oakland Raiders want to partner by giving back $10.00 of every ticket ordered, through us, for the Oct. 25th home game vs the Jets! Order your tickets now for the best seats available. This is a great way to see the Raiders vs Jets game AND support Urban Peace Movement!
Your ticket purchase will help guide peace in Oakland. The proceeds will go to support the Urban Peace Movement Youth Leadership Academy that gets started this month. Young people in the academy will engage in a 6-month process that will help them gain resiliency tools to overcome trauma, and become successful stewards of their lives and communities. The Oakland Raiders are in support of this mission, that is why this is a great opportunity to join the movement!
Youth performers from Turf Unity and Urban Peace Movement will also be hosting a special tailgate music performance starting at 11:30 am outside the Coliseum. Also see us on the field! During the pre-game events before the first kick-off, Urban Peace Movement will be honored for its work to bring peace to our city!
Call us today to order your tickets! 510-444-5400. If you can't make it to the game you can donate your tickets to the young people in our program, please call us for more information.
Sincerely,
Nicole Lee
Urban Peace Movement
Thursday, October 15th 2009 at 4:30PM
Steve Williams
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Irma, I am encouraged by groups such as Urban Peace Movement operating at the local level. My local group right now is with my church. We need to start somewhere and if every individual and local community would make the effort, the effect would be cumulative.
Thursday, October 15th 2009 at 5:29PM
Steve Williams
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We Blacks have to recognize the existence of sociopaths that is people whom are born without a conscious even amongst us. No form of treatment is going help those born without a conscious they simply will not respond to anything and jailing them isn't working at all. As a matter of fact jailing them has been come excuse to jail all of us whom aren't sociopaths or born criminals. Science says 1 every 10 persons is a sociapath that is born to be a criminal. Since the population of African Americans is 40 million that comes out to about 400,000 but the number of blacks whom are locked up or confined in prisons far exceeds this number by about almost 600,000. This has caused disruption as fathers, good husbands and strong able men aren't around to keep the peace in our communities. Holder is the Chief Law Enforcement Office for the U.S now and it is his duty to provide protection to all under the law and make sure order is maintained. Yet he's a Blackman working in a white system that has put African Americans in communities without security or protection called "Ghettoes". We must become independent of this system that has failed us time and time again via allowing demons to roam and run a muck. This situation has cause copycatting and wanna be's to mimmic the sociopathic behaviors and thus create gangs where criminals act in concert to destroy our peace within our communities. All of this is being orchrestrated by Louis Farrakhan and this N.O.I in Chicago whom want to make the situation fail so they can have a case for Blacks having their own authority over their own communities. It's not a bad idea except I'm not looking forward to living under Islamic rules and the corruption of the Nation of Islam.
All of you should study my words carefully.
Friday, October 16th 2009 at 5:10AM
John Washington
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John, I was talking to a co-worker yesterday and though the word ghetto wasn't used I know the neighborhood he lives in. He said he can't wait to get out. Is this the solution?
Friday, October 16th 2009 at 5:38AM
Steve Williams
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Yes the Ghetto is the problem but we can turn a ghetto into beverly hills if we get rid of the sociopaths and clean it up and beautify it!
Monday, October 19th 2009 at 8:08AM
John Washington
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Hello Mr. Washington,
You said this, “Yes the Ghetto is the problem but we can turn a ghetto into beverly hills if we get rid of the sociopaths and clean it up and beautify it!”
Mr. Washington, Black Americans do not want to turn a ghetto into Beverly Hills. Black Americans wants a portion of this continent that we could call our very own country with orders to pursue life, liberty, happiness and prosperity in our own way.
A country is much larger than a ghetto. Apparently, your mind is as small as a ghetto and in addition, you have a ghetto mentality.
Black America’s only permanent solution is that we become a sovereign people or have complete independence on a portion of this continent that we will inherit from our ancestors and not to clean up the ghetto to look like Beverly Hills.
Tell me what you think
Monday, October 19th 2009 at 11:20AM
Harry Watley
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I will never forget wo this other said if she is sitting out side and see someone coming she will get up and go into her house. Now please take note of how she said,"...if she saw someone..."This does not say if that coming are :male, female or age..if the neighborhood is so bad that you are afraid to this extent, then this involves way past teens commiting crimes!And, it is not a one time killing either nor only a one day occurance...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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One day we will not be so against something called the T-R-U-T-H. One of the main truths is that some people need professional help that the lay person/jails can not provide. By people I mean the :parents, care giver, child, teacher. preacher or may be the hole family/community.
And, each of us should take a LONG good, honsest start with our own selves before we start pointing that finger at some one, place, thing else.....(smile)I say this because "I" believe that this problem has been existing since mankind. And, it is also my belief that we 'today' have to***&$#@* many civil, legal and moral RIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Steve they have been runing the buy tickets for the youth to be able to come to all of these home games as I saw this on the evening news for my section of Northern Ca. This is great and it will help support the home teams at the same time.(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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It is also great that getting more youth centers for our children can go after school has now been taken of the back burners...we must do as many different ways to come after this problem as we can...LOCALLY...we are still in great need of tutors for the high school students by our college students, and grade school students need the help of our high school students to tutor, for free...or just opening private homes for students to be safe until they parents get off work, also for free...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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