Educators Must Play A Role in Violence Prevention
By Dr. Andrew C. Jones, CCBC Catonsville President

As much as we would like to deny it, violence within our community plays a major role in our lives as educators. We are charged with providing instruction to young people who have less than favorable home lives and are living in distressed and violent communities.

Statistics from the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence show that violence among minority youth, particularly African-Americans, has struck with unique force in recent years. For more than 10 years, homicide has been the leading cause of death among African-American males and females between the ages of 15-24. National news media outlets are showing more and more cases of youth who are victims of violent crimes.

Violence is paramount in our communities. Domestic violence is rampant in homes and our youth are carrying lethal weapons into the classrooms. With some of our communities in such a state of violence, we are experiencing - in my opinion -domestic terrorism. The violence in our inner city communities has gotten so out of hand, that if not considered terrorism, it should at least be considered a major public health crisis.

As educators, how do we handle such a crisis? One solution is to develop Violence Prevention Education programs. Baltimore City Government has continued to raise the issue of crime and violence, and organizational and individual efforts have addressed and continue to address this major dilemma. However, without a systemic solution, we are likely to fail.

Most proponents would agree that the problem has to be attacked on many levels including:

• K through 16 violence prevention and peace studies curriculum (strategies on understanding and settling disputes).
• More emphasis on peer mentoring and conflict resolution strategies.
• Parent involvement and interaction contracts with parents to ensure involvement in our schools.
• Institutionalized rites of passage programs tied to the community service requirements needed by our youth.
• Middle school internships that emphasize civic responsibility.
• Living wage jobs and honorariums, an economic incentive.
• More outreach by religious organizations.
• Mentorship from the greater business community, neighborhood role models and local government.
• Engaged studies and solution forums on the social, economic and psychological cause and effect issues.

The above approach is holistic and deals with individuals on a socioeconomic, physical and psychological basis. The premise for the project is that violence, in a large measure, is a manifestation of hopelessness. Some would argue that it is the result of a pathology of excesses. There are many aspects to the causes and expressions of violence. These educational partnership programs will focus on teaching our youth how to change attitudes and modify behaviors that contribute to violence, as well as develop social skills to reduce impulsive and aggressive behavior in children.

A problem of such magnitude needs a collaborative effort with agencies such as the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, city and county public schools, law enforcement agencies, religious organizations, non-profit associations, the business community and yes, community colleges.

Community colleges are where the rubber meets the road. We are a mainstay in the community and have the ability to develop courses in violence prevention education and provide training to our youth. Our history of success with employment training and Welfare to Work Programs underscores the ability to address social equity issues. Community colleges should serve as the catalyst in violence prevention, bringing local and state organizations together with local businesses in an effort to curb youth and community violence. Additionally, our college facilities can serve as a gathering place for group discussions and community forums to discuss the issue. Pooling resources from various agencies to fund violence prevention programs and projects is imperative.

The need for violence prevention education programs is now. It's important that we think "outside of the box" and develop creative programs that can result in positive change within our communities. Here at CCBC Catonsville , our intent is to begin a series of forums with local government agencies, non profits, the clergy and interested citizens to fast track the development of relevant curricula and training protocols. I challenge the educational arena to join us in taking the responsibility of spearheading such an effort and to be major players in helping develop these programs. Let's work together to make our communities safer for our youth.

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