Tag Archives: consequences for youth

Are you willing to KILL?

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Image by: Stefan Paul: twitter @sketchdesignsuk

Are you willing to kill?

Last week I had the opportunity to have a discussion with a group of young people who are actively involved in a gang in Hackney, East London. Their allegiance is decorated on their skin with tattoos of their postcode and gang name. They gave their consent for the documentation of our discussion based on anonymity. The intention of the dialogue was to explore their reasoning regarding their gang involvement. None of these young people are engaged with local youth projects.

Initially the conversation focused on questions about gang hierarchy. With a unanimous voice they declared that they answer to no one and will act on impulse. One replied “the time we use to answer to ‘olders’ (older gang member) is long gone”. “You have to put in the work for your team; this is how you get your status up. Eventually when people know your name they will fear you as an individual or your gang.” Another shouted “at the end of the day it is all about respect”

I intercepted their outbursts with a personal account of my annual video tribute dedicated to all the young people who had died in London due to gang and youth violence. Expressing my sorrow at this situation I enquired about their feelings towards youth deaths. The response I got did not surprise me, the oldest one exclaimed “this is how it is now, people become immune unless they are directly affected”. There was no emotion on their faces, lacking empathy they were devoid of care. The desensitisation to youth fatalities was evident in their reactions. It became apparent that this hard outer shell was embedded into their survival technique ‘never show signs of weakness’.

My questioning shifted to serious topics: Are you willing to kill for your ideals, your gang, or where you live?

The smallest out of the group replied; “we are in too deep, I have enemies who probably will not hesitate to kill me if they saw me slipping (caught off guard). That is why I am always prepared for whatever the occasion and if that means dropping a body in the process then so be it”

Although many may be shocked by this, I was not. Unfortunately this is not the first occasion in which I have witnessed this same content from young people. I am always reminded of a quote from the film ‘we own the night’ “I would rather be judged by 12, than be carried by 6”. After I told them about that quote, they all agreed, saying that is exactly how they see it.

What would it take for you to move on from this lifestyle?

They all exchanged glances before one of the quiet ones who hadn’t yet participated in the discussion piped up: “to be honest even if I decided to go legit, I would still be in the game because like they said before we are in too deep. I would probably have to move out of London totally to actually concentrate on other things. Apart from that no way, my guard stays up 24’s.”

It is young people with this mentality that I am consistently attempting to engage with. Their loyalty to their peers and self perception as gang members forms a stumbling block from opportunities to change.  Although weapons cause considerable damage, the real danger is spread through the mindset of these young people. Minor altercations can now result in a fatal shooting or stabbing, leaving yet another family with a scar that can never be healed. I attempt to get these young people to attend my consequences workshops or engage in youth activities but they refuse.  However I consistently converse with them to challenge their way of thinking and provide an alternative lifestyle to the one they currently uphold.

More senseless killings

A few days after our discussion, I found out about the fatal stabbing which took the life of Kwame Ofosu-Asare (17) in Brixton. Reading the story made me angry and reminded me of the pain of losing someone.  Also thinking about the family and how they will now cope with this void in their lives.

I am reminded of the period when I was doing research for my book and a man in his late 40’s said to me “do not waste your time it is inevitable, they will continue to kill each other”. I chose not to accept what he said, that can only happen if we do nothing and allow this to continue. The thing is people do not think it is their problem until something happens that affect them. The way things are anyone could be a victim.

I wrote my book Consequences  to enhance my ability to spread my message to people around the country and of the young people I work with that believe in change. Thankfully I have been doing that by speaking and working in schools, at youth projects, prisons, and in the next month I will be running more consequences workshops, speaking at youth conferences in Wolverhampton, and also in Berlin.

Although I enjoy communicating, action is essential for change. Due to this I have enlisted positive young men to take charge and make an impact on someone’s life through mentoring. There seems to be an outcry when the police kill someone, while young people are killing each other every day, with a lack of effort for change and justice. One thing I learnt from my time in Los Angeles, speaking with former OG Crip gang member is to always have hope no matter how bad things may seem.

My repetition is for emphasis: everyone can play a part no matter how small.

If we strive to change mindsets, promote ambition and invest in young people then we would not need to tell them to put the knives and guns down. They would be in a position to make the right choices. This is not the time to give up, or to remain silent. A generation of future doctors, lawyers, prime ministers and teachers are wrapped up in a detrimental lifestyle of violence where innocent people are dying. Complacency cannot bring change.

 

Not such a ‘NEET’ trick by Guest blogger Jemilea Wisdom

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We’re all in this together….  (David Cameron) ‘Apparently’

An explosion of reality has hit the headlines as the number of NEETs has reached epic figures. With 1.6million 18-24’s Not in Education, Employment or Training – what exactly are these young people doing? Being young in the UK now means: No EMA, Unaffordable Tuition Fees, No Jobs regardless of degree certificates, No Prospects and No Property… Adolescence and dependency continues as young people are starved of opportunities for independence. But, don’t worry young people, the government is working tirelessly to create opportunities to earn minimum wage!

With the current recession, unemployment has hit all ages yet the youngest with fewer gems on their CV are pushed out of the magnitude of applications leaving them jobless and dependant on benefits to survive. The government has responded to this crisis with a £1bn Youth Contract Plan providing opportunities for these young people based on apprenticeships, work experience placements and an aim to have reached 500,000 unemployed young people over three years. But there’s a catch. Of course. Firstly the money for this scheme is not new; it will be sucked out of the taxes of working class people, as the poor mop up the mess of the bankers and knee jerk reactions of the coalition government. This strategy – an inverted Robin Hood methodology forces young people to work for free under the guise of gaining ‘work experience’ with their meagre benefits docked should they refuse. This modern-day exploitation highlights the youth slave labour which benefits businesses and the Tories’ by reducing unemployment figures. While money has been promised to private-sector businesses to subsidise 160,000 workplaces, what is the longevity of this strategy when the money runs out? At best it has been proposed that this scheme ‘may lead to a job’ – doesn’t sound very hopeful to me.

The label NEET can be applied to a vast majority of young people with differing circumstances, some of which are well educated with high academic achievements, who require a job and not a half hearted minimum wage substitute covering their horrific debt with a plaster and puncturing their balloon ideology that education automatically leads to success. Other young people have low academic abilities and are poorly equipped for working life despite years in compulsory education. These young people may benefit from the Youth Contract initially, but if they are forced into jobs they hate, or are not given the necessary tools and skills to achieve a sustainable career this could add to their overall demoralisation.

While targeting figures, like a paracetamol cure, it does nothing but hide the underlying issue. The government is focusing on the current cohort of NEET’s, however another generation is already at risk of the same path. What is being done to prevent these young people of becoming NEET? Are early interventions working? As a youth worker in Hackney I am often surrounded by young people who have given up hope, with few or no aspirations they feel they have little to look forward to. Impartial careers guidance that once supported young people on their path has been annihilated and choices have been replaced by coercion. It is important that young people are identified as individuals and not stereotyped by statistics or labels. The focus needs to be what will work best for the young people themselves and not what will keep the government from bad publicity.

By Jemilea Wisdom

Young Talented Poets

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George the poet is a young talented poet from North West London and a student  at Cambridge University. He has performed at many venues in London and also performed at my book launch.

“Financial Times”

 

Suli Breaks is a young ambitious poet from North London. Using visual media to express his words.

“The Box”

 

 

Emeka, Why “Breaking the negative cycle”?

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A few people have been asking why I use the term ‘breaking the negative cycle’, for me this term represents everything that I do in youth work explained more clearly through my teenage experiences. Growing up in Hackney I was witness to the effect of negativity outshining all the positives in the borough. In 2001 ‘The Crib’ youth project was barely 2 years old, and the place was packed with young people from all over Hackney. Watching Janette and Karlene the founders of the Crib, taking in young people no matter how bad they were, and giving them a chance to make something of themselves impacted me. At the time being surrounded by both positive and negative people I had to filter through the mess to discover what I needed to lead my path to success. Eventually everyone dispersed, some chasing their dreams, via university, work, setting up businesses while others chose to stay or join the negative cycle.

After going away to study and returning to the area, I started working for The Crib with the set of new young people who are now part of the project. Observing them for a while, I noticed that things hadn’t changed much from my time, negativity was still rampant. Some of the young people were focusing all their energy on the wrong things, which could lead to prison or worse death.

Now with the opportunity to make a real difference, I was thinking of ways to break the negative cycle. This spurred me to start the consequences program, using knowledge I had acquired from past mentors, books and parents. Tackling issues like, youth violence, gang culture, peer pressure I created effective ways to help shape these young minds to strive for success using relevant and inspirational methods.

I aim to break the cycle of:

Doubt,

Where young people believe they cannot achieve because the fear of failure consumes and prevents them from even attempting. I remind them that “they cannot win if they do not play” Showing that you can succeed if you truly believe, and put in the hard work. I do not believe in the saying “if it was meant to be it will be” my logic is if it was meant to be then by working hard you will make it happen. When contemplating on writing my book, I was told ” do people still read, are you sure people will buy books” I refused to listen to the doubts and persisted to my aim till I accomplished it.

Excuses,

Young people constantly hear that they cannot be the best because they do not have what it takes, or that the rich have more advantages to succeed. Repeatedly informed that their history, racism, convictions, slavery, ethnicity, provide no escape route. To break this cycle we need to lead by example, like I say many times the children are watching, so we need to lead not just by what we say but by what we do. There so many reasons to explain why people use excuses to stay in the negative cycle, to overcome these barriers you need the right tools to take them down, the right mind set, knowledge and the right people around to help you move forward. You must use the negative situation and convert them into tools to push you further. Knowing my history gave me a sense of pride, knowing all the great things that were done by my dad with little or no education not by choice but by circumstances, so I had no excuse, having all this opportunities to succeed. No matter what situation you are in, you have to believe that you can come out of it, with that seed in you then, at least you have broken the cycle and can move forward with attempts to success.

Blame,

We live in a world where it is easier to blame someone else for the problems or social ills that we face. Government, police blaming parents, parents blaming the schools, young people blaming everyone. If we cannot work together, how can we expect anyone to follow suit. To break the cycle I feel everyone needs to first respect each other no matter what race, religion, class they come from., without that we have already failed. From there we can then concentrate on the real task, which is everyone concentrating on what is in their control. Before I point the finger I need to make sure that my house is in order. So government will do all they can to make sure provision and funding are available to help young people acquire jobs.

To the parents: making sure they are doing all they can to be providers and protectors, making sure they instil good values and morals, so when the time comes that child can make the right choices.

To the police: working closer with the communities to ensure that the people they are supposed to be keeping safe feel their presence in a positive way. To the young people themselves making sure that they respect those around them and get their voices heard in a more productive and positive way.

To the youth worker: providing support and being ready to help with that extra push when needed.

When everyone is doing their part no matter how small it is and we are all communicating effectively then we can break that cycle. I feel we can achieve more together when we do not blame or care who takes credit for good results.

To those who are welfare dependent and in poverty, you cannot rely on anyone to make your bad situation go away, you have to be ready to do something about it, accept help in form of welfare if needs be, not to live on but as a lifeline to get past that period of time. Hand outs will not take you out of poverty. Ultimately setting yourself with the right tools to succeed, whether that is education, investing money in business to create your own wealth and putting yourself in a position where you create jobs for others. Then we know we are breaking these negative cycles.

For me it is all about your mind set, if you are ready, the difference is between accepting the cards you are dealt or if you’re willing to strive for a new deck. So I will leave you with a story I was told not too long ago.
Two brothers were raised by their father who was a drunk, abusive, dependent on welfare and had gambling addictions. Eventually the two boys grew up totally different, one became a successful business man, the other became a carbon copy of this dad. They were asked one question, How did you end up in the situation you’re in now? They both had the exact same answer bearing in mind they both had different situations. They both said look at my father, why wouldn’t I end up like this?
The one that ended up like his dad decided that he would doubt himself, makes excuses and blame his father, this route took him into the negative cycle and if care is not taken his children will end up in that cycle.

The one that became successful had a different mind-set. He used the negative in his life and used it as an inspiration to succeed. Overcoming doubt, excuses, and blame. He had ambitions and the belief he could succeed.

So Remember to do your part to break the negative cycle.

By Emeka

 

Consequences Poem by DELE OSUNSAMI & DEJI BABATUNDE

Posted by Consequences (Breaking the negative cycle) on 
 



 Designed by Tony Nwachi of http://www.tandicreative.co.uk

CONSEQUENCES
Give me a solution to this political resolution.
The streets give me a revolver my get out clause my resolver
Society gives me a lifetime of debt.

Fervently, they require earnestly
That I attend university.
And if I want to end up with a good salary.
Then I guess I have to pay them back dramatically.

But I suffer from a sense of direction
Especially from the lack of funds my mum could generate.
As much as I love my mum and family I had to have a taste...

A taste of being that bad boy in the streets
Then when I'm at home doing my chores; 
I'd be muddling laundry business with the girls in between my sheets.
Pillow talks followed morning lectures
Leaving peers considering me as a geek, 
Me a geek!?
However, nobody knows what's hidden amid my jeans and my briefs.

Seriously, it's liberating when I spray bullets
Piercing the cranium or cardiac muscle is where the impact is most devastating.
Sometimes I need an AK47
To penetrate like our soldiers gunning down innocence based on orders.
I'm going off topic so let me come back to my waters.

No no no!
Don't get me wrong. 
Everybody stay in their seats, 
This is not a stick up
I repeat THIS IS NOT A STICK UP!
See we're not trying to invoke violence
And this right here, this is not a ripple effect of the riots.
Please abort the call; we don't want any worry from Trident.

The calibre I penetrate you with
Inscribes into your mind
Invoking paradigm changes
Prescribes soul jerking enlightenment
As my calibre is of a defining breed
Penetrating you mentally
Breaking through barriers of social depravity.

He's young, He's black.
Potentially all he will ever do
Is surround himself with crack
Or emulate that family boy Ayo
And quote on quote try to rap.
Sounds like David Starkey sort of talks
Which is more opinionated than facts.

So I'm going to gun buck you into a new reality, 
Understand that I'm making you my casualty.
Breaking the mould of this hood mentality, 
That you've been sold.
Reprogramming the mindset
So the mind, is set, to work hard
That's the goal.
Let this new idea settle and unfold
Instead of being behind bars
Turns your dreams into gold.
Instead of being behind bars 
Turn your dreams into gold.
INSTEAD OF BEING BEHIND BARS
TURN YOUR DREAMS INTO GOLD.

DELE OSUNSAMI & DEJI BABATUNDE 2011-09-12
For more from them visit
http://delewrites.wordpress.com
http://dwordchef.wordpress.com

Tottenham MP David Lammy, gets behind CONSEQUENCES.

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Books such as this are crucial to understanding the issues that drive a minority of young people into the kind of lifestyles that are damaging both to them and to the rest of society.  While there is never an excuse for criminal behaviour, we need to try to understand, and tackle, the background issues, such as parenting and lack of opportunities, that lead some of our young people to consider a lifestyle of crime and gang-related violence. Emeka Egbuonu’s experience in dealing with these issues is clearly visible in this interesting and well-informed book.
promo video

Layer cake actor, Jamie Foreman endorses Emeka and his book.

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I’ve played gangsters, baddies and hard men in the movies, but in real life, the tough choice that takes real courage is be able to say no when violence seems like an easy way out. Emeka Egbuonu has made it his mission in life to equip young people with the confidence and knowledge to make good choices in difficult situations. His book Consequences – Breaking the Negative Cycle is based on his real life experiences with gangs as a youth and his work since helping other young people not get sucked into violence.

This is a valuable insight from someone who tells it as is really is and doesn’t pull any punches. It’s funny, it’s dramatic – but most of all, it’s honest.
It’s no good just condemning street violence, you also have to look at why it’s happening and how to stop it – especially when British cities have been torn apart by looting and rioting. Emeka was out on the streets during the recent unrest in London, helping young people to see sense and not get involved in trouble. This book is a must-read and a practical guide for young people, parents, teachers, police and anyone with an interest in making our cities safe and creating a new generation of hope instead of alienation.

Jamie Foreman – Of EastEnders and movies – Gangster No 1, Layer Cake and Inkheart.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/2011/08/derek-branning.shtml

Book promo video

Britain’s leading criminologist endorses Consequences BNC.

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Prof David Wilson

Young people generally have fast become the human equivalent of dangerous dogs in our culture, and young people who join gangs are especially seen as being somehow different, dangerous and alien.  Few of us have bothered to try and understand why a young person might want to join a gang, or thereafter how we as a society might repsond to that decision and thereafter help that young person to leave the gang behind.

Written from his personal experiences of working with gangs and young people in Hackney, Emeka Egbuonu’s Consequences - Breaking the Negative Cycle fills this criminological gap, and brings fresh insight into what we all should be doing in the wake of the English riots to help young people – usually young men – bridge the gap between school and a law-abiding adulthood.

This book should be read widely – not least within the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office – because we can all learn something positive and inspiring from Emeka’s work.

Professor David Wilson, Britain’s leading criminologist, Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University and author of Looking for Laura: Public Criminology and Hot News.

Trailer for London 2 LA; gang intervention documentary

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For more information on gang intervention programs visit http://www.thecrib.org.uk

Consequences

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We all make choices. And choices come with consequences. I’ve written a book to help young people learn that the choices they make can transform their lives for the better – or worse.

My name is Emeka Egbuonu. I grew up in  Hackney in London.

I hope my book Consequences – Breaking the Negative Cycle will help other young people learn from mistakes made by those who have come before them.  So we can break the cycle of poor role models, low aspirations, under achievement. Understanding the importance of history and culture, how inequality affect young people, tackling youth violence and gang culture and enabling young people to be ambitious.

I lead seminars for groups of young people in London and am on the London Mayor’s mentoring team. I’ve also met former gang members in Los Angeles who are using innovative techniques to turn young people away from gangs. I hope this book will help spread the message even further that things can change for the better – and share ways to make that happen.

In this blog I’ll be telling you about me, my own personal journey away from violence (it hasn’t been easy) and towards self-discovery and I’ll also keep you posted on the book.

Thanks for dropping by and reading this first post.

Watch this space for much more.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Consequences_bnc-Breaking-the-negative-cycle/216249635078467?sk=info

 

Twitter @Emeka_bnc