Gangs

Some people say that gangs are just another word for “family”—that they offer protection, inclusion and a sense of belonging to its members. Youth gangs are not a new phenomenon in New York City or America. They have existed for decades. However, gangs increase fear in communities, foster negative behavior, and lead to more serious problems such as drug use, violence, and crime. Ultimately, participation in gangs serves to alienate members from society. Because of your leadership among your peers, you have been selected to research the problem, and report back to current gang members offering them alternatives to gang membership. You will become a “Public Policy Analyst”. You will research the social problem and find policy solutions to alleviate the negative consequences of gang activity. Good Luck!

Task Photograph of four gang members.

The Mayor of New York has selected as a member of the Mayor’s task force to combat gang activity. You will work cooperatively with other youth leaders. Your assignment, given to you by the Mayor, is to give a speech to a group of known gang members who are considering leaving their gang. Your task is to try to convince them that there are alternatives to them remaining in the gang. Present a 10 minute group persuasive speech in which you address the 6 steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA). All six steps of the PPA must be included in your speech. Your policy recommendations will then be presented to the Mayor.

Process

You will be assigned to a group. While in your assigned group, you will also be assigned to one of two particular “task forces” (Hope Task Force or Freedom Task Force) Each task force will focus on researching specific documents (see Resource List). So within one group there will be both Hope Task Force members and Freedom Task Force members. Each member of the group will select the role which they will have:

Roles & Responsibilities
Organizer	Introducer	Sympathizer	Changer
This person determines the order in which the members will speak.	This person provides an overview of what all the members will present. They briefly mention each aspect of the presentation.	This person identifies and explains the causes for why people join gangs.	This person identifies and briefly explains the new policy which will address the problem. This person should also be sure to identify the alternatives to gang membership.

Each member of the group needs to complete all PPA worksheets (with reference to the resources), and a write a summary of their part of the presentation. All steps of the PPA will be included in the speech. Include the information in your PPA documents in your speech. Use the video and internet resources below to persuade your audience.

1. Define the Problem

2. Gather the Evidence

3. Identify the Causes

4. Evaluate an Existing Policy

5. Develop Solutions

6. Select the Best Solution

Use the links above to access the PPA worksheets.

Resources

Your group will use the appropriate resources below to complete the six PPA worksheets and your task assignment.

Hope Task Force Resources:

Choose at least 1 movie from the following list:

American Me (1992)

Lord of the Flies (1990)

Training Day (2001)

and

Choose at least 3 website from the following list:

http://www.sandiego.gov/gangcommission/pdf/2006gangsurvey.pdf

http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/222799.pdf

http://www.sandiego.gov/gangcommission/pdf/080722call.pdf

http://www.graspyouth.org/

http://www.focusas.com/Gangs.html

http://www.gillfoundation.org/glfc_grantees/glfc_grantees_show.htm?doc_id=410575

Freedom Task Force Resources:

Choose at least 1 movie from the following list:

American History X (1998)

Boys ‘N the Hood (1991)

Menace to Society (1993)

and

Choose at least 3 websites from the following list:

http://www.graspyouth.org/

http://www.gangfree.org/gap_about.html

http://www.nysgangprevention.com/

http://www.powerhousebooks.com/East_Side_Stories/ess.html

http://www.gillfoundation.org/glfc_grantees/glfc_grantees_show.htm?doc_id=410575

http://www.gangstyle.com/articles/cal.php

Evaluation

Speech Presentation Rubric
	3	2	1
Organization	The presentation is well organized.	The presentation is somewhat organized.	The presentation is not organized.
Incorporation of Research	Students incorporate a great deal or relevant information from sources. It is cited, and appropriate.	Students incorporate some relevant information from sources.	Students incorporation no relevant information from sources, or very little. It may be irrelevant, or vague.
Introduction	The introduction completely identifies the main aspects of the presentation.	The introduction partially identifies the main aspects of the presentation.	The introduction does not adequately identify the main aspects of the presentation.
Statement of Problem	The problem was stated with accuracy, specificity, and relevance.	The problem was stated with some accuracy, specificity, or relevance.	The problem was stated with little accuracy, specificity, or relevance.
Statement of Solution	The solution is appropriate, effective, and feasible.	The solution is somewhat appropriate, effective, or feasible.	The solution is not appropriate, effective, or feasible.
PPA Worksheets	All PPA worksheets are complete, accurate, and thoughtful.	Some PPA worksheets are complete, accurate, and thoughtful.	Few or the PPA worksheets are complete, accurate, and thoughtful.
Public Speaking Skills	Students incorporate many and appropriate public speaking elements.	Students incorporate some and appropriate public speaking elements.	Students incorporate few and appropriate public speaking elements.

Grading:

A = 21-18 points

B = 17-14 points

C = 13-10 points
D = 9-6 points

F = 5-0 points

Conclusion

Gangs are often alluring, especially to young people. People who are attracted to gangs often feel neglected, unsafe, or lonely. They often feel gangs fill these voids in their lives. Although gangs often provide temporarily relief for troubled youth, they often lead to criminal behavior. To prevent these negative behaviors, gang members need to be presented with authentic alternatives to the gang.

Congratulations!

You have now become a public policy analyst and have learned how to offer meaningful solutions to the problem of gangs. The Mayor thanks you for your outstanding efforts, and your commitment to social justice.

NYS Standards Adresses

English Language Arts

Standard 3: Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation

Students will listen, speak, read, and write for critical analysis and evaluation. As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to present, from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.

Standard 4: Language for Social Interaction

Students will listen, speak, read, and write for social interaction. Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.

Social Studies:

Standard 1: History of the United States and New York

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in the history of the United States and New York.

Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship, and Government

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments; the governmental system of the United States and other nations; the United States Constitution; the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.