by Ray Fauteux

Created on: May 26, 2007   Last Updated: May 28, 2009

How can one be expected to live life without hope with the possibly of never having anything worthwhile to look forward to? What chance is there if a child is born into a world of poverty, drugs, and violence and a family that is already in turmoil? If there is nothing to look forward to and it seems like there is no future resorting to a life of crime seems like the only possible answer.

To make matters even worse, there is often violence and hate in school and it's just impossible to break away or set your own course in life. Chances of finding a job are next to impossible without proper education and as a result a vicious circle of hopelessness begins to form. Often there is no cohesive family unit to intervene and it seems to make sense to search for acceptance and a sense of belonging elsewhere and often that means becoming part of the neighborhood gang. It's the only family many African-American have and soon the gang life is the only life they know.

Often being part of a gang leads to drugs, crime, and violence. Soon the existence of many young men on this earth is measured not in years, but rather days. Who's turn will it be next to fall in a hail of bullets fired by a lost soul just like themselves? It has become the norm for young adult African-American men to compete on the streets and back alleys when they should be doing it on the football field or basketball court.

There is really not just one thing that will stop the circle of violence and infuse hope into the hearts of the young African-American man. A big part of the answer lies in re-establishing the family unit and of regaining it's rightful place as the center of a young person's universe. It lies in returning to what was once most important. A family that can give you love, safety, and hope, and the promise of a life with a bright future and not one that is destined to end on a dark, unfriendly street.

Safe schools and neighborhoods are also near the top of the list. Cities like New York have proved that most crime can be successfully removed from city streets with a concerted effort by city officials, social workers, and concerned citizens. Once schools are safer and provide the opportunity to learn and grow that they are meant for, changes will begin to happen. Sports programs and sports facilities will provide an outlet and keep the youth of the street and give them an opportunity to develop self-esteem and perhaps for the first time, believe in themselves.

A life with hope is worth living and youth who can see a long, happy future in front of them will avoid street crime and violence because they understand just how much worth living life really is.

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