Embattled anti-violence organization Aim4Peace will be around for a while. The organization announced today that it had received a $300,000 grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City to keep the program alive for another six months.
That's good news for Aim4Peace, since the city slashed its budget from $773,083 to $150,492 this year.
Back in November 2008, we dissected the program's false starts and bureaucratic mismanagement in the story "117 Homicides and Counting," but word since then is that they've been doing their best to fix problems and make the program better.
The press release touting the grant claims Aim4Peace officials have intervened in 22 conflicts between rival gangs this year. But since the program's inception, the homicide rate has risen. Aim4Peace's measures of success are based on crimes they claim that their mediators have prevented. Those assessments are difficult to quantify.
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I have heard and seen on the news far too many young people, no matter the nationality taken from this earth by crime, killing, gangs, drugs, alcohol and just plain evilness.
When drugs were brought into our neighborhoods, economic pressure, single parent homes, incarceration and just poverty has really put everyone in a pinch.
Our ancestors fought and sacrificed themselves for us to have a better life. African Americans have become their own worse enemy and it makes me cry to see parents burying their children instead of children burying their parents. This is a backwards lifestyle. Our minds are still in shackels and we do not know how to break ourselves free. This anything goes society mentality of our youth has got to change.
Years ago when you committed a crime you either went to the service to defend our country or prison, some chose to go to college and work.
This new generation has too much easy ways to survive and they do not even fear death. There outcome is fatal and their future is bleak if things do not change. Children cannot play out front nor can you enjoy sitting on your front porch or living room without a drive by coming through and killing of hurting you. This is not the wild, wild west, nor the killer city. It is a world wide ecodemic that must get a shot of reality and medicine to cure or we are in a world of hurt.
I am willing to become a member of AIM FOR PEACE because without peace, their is no joy, hope, or happiness, and we definitely need it now.
TEACHING THE VALUES OF PEACE
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
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