The X Fact(her) – Promises are Hard to Keep

For a long time, when I saw kids who are out of control, hugging the block, angry and violent I’d think, “It’s the parents’ fault.” While I still consider the lack of parenting and solid family structure as contributing to the demise of young people, I’ll admit that there are other factors outside of the home that are leading our youth to fail. Congressman Robert C. Scott wants to save the kids or at least prevent them from falling victim to the lack of resources in their communities and ending up either dead or in jail. Seems as though he’s one of the few up in Capitol Hill, who recognizes the flawed and failing infrastructure as well as policies that are making it hard for young black and brown kids (as well as white) kids to succeed. Scott represents Virginia and serves as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. If passed, Scott’s Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support and Education (“Youth Promise”) Act will: – Form a local council called a Promise Coordinating Council (“PCC”) within communities facing the greatest youth gang and crime challenges o These PCC will include representatives from law enforcement, court services, schools, social service organizations, health and mental health providers and community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations o The PCC will then develop a comprehensive plan for implementing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies – Hire and train law enforcement officers as youth-oriented police to work with PCCs, other community-based organizations, and high-risk youth. Establishes a Center for Youth-Oriented Policing Supported by over 40 House members, who are co-sponsoring the legislation and more than 140 organizations across the country including 99problems.org and The League of Young Voters, the Youth Act has a good chance of passing when it reaches the floor. But will it do what it’s set out to do? If you look past all the political jargon, the Youth Promise Act plans to funnel government monies into local organizations that in turn will create programs (mentoring, after school, gang and drug prevention groups) to keep kids off the streets. While this Act is commendable and has the potential to make a difference, I think it looks at a small percent of what the problem with our kids really is. Sure, the pressure to be paid and protected leads some kids to join gangs and sell drugs. There is no doubt that the lack of libraries, books, computers, etc is stifling the learning process of kids in the hood. Either way you find yourself assed out and caught up in some drama your mama can’t bail you out from. These are the obvious. I’m talking about the other factor: The kids, themselves, not wanting anything different. The condition of young people is so set that even their conditioning has been conditioned. It’s like setting a caged animal free after 15 years. They might not know how to walk on grass or hunt for food. Where is the legislation to deal with youth people’s low self-esteem, psyches and shattered dreams? We could call it the “Youth Therapy Act”. Or, what about legislation that teaches parents how to parent. I’d said it before and I’ll say it again, I strongly believe that men and women should have to pass a written exam and provide bank statements before being allowed to have children. There is no reason why it should be harder to adopt a dog or rent an apartment than it is to bring another life into the world. This would be the “Act like a Parent Act”. The reality is the Youth Promise Act will pump money into poor communities, build new programs and offer support to existing youth-oriented programs. The other reality is only a small percentage of the targeted kids will show up. Reason being the disenfranchisement of our youth goes deeper than lack of money, programs and opportunities. Still in all, I applaud Congressman Scott for this attempt at making a difference. Now if only we can get someone in Capitol Hill to present a bill that stops the building of prisons. – CH The X Fact(her) is a weekly column that appears on 99problems.org. Started on Inauguration Day 2009 by the League of Young Voter’s Education Fund, 99problems.org is a non-profit initiative that aims to keep young people engaged in the political process through activism and community involvement. Please visit 99problems.org to find out how you can get involved right now! For more on Chloé A. Hilliard visit www.chloehilliard.com