Fenger High School: Violence Runs Deeper Than We Think

[ChicagoJoe57]

Another thing: I have found that Whites who live in the same violent conditions as Blacks and Latinos react in simuliar ways.

[ChicagoJoe57]

Great video! I appreciate the fact that you used logic to justify your beliefs, unlike Glenn Beck whose commentary was a factual waste of bandwidth. I study gangs, primarily white gangs. I took a poll and 85 percent of all ex members joined a gang because they were picked on. That kind of proves your point about learned behavior. 

[raventelevision]

@ChicagoJoe57 Thanks for the comment!  And for the info about the poll. That's very intersting.

[razzusmc]

appreciate your thoughts but apparently the white people are to blame . keep talking but look at the other utube comments and videos and we are to blame. keep talking and then say sorry.

[raventelevision]

Thanks for this comment. I understand your concern with the video. My intention was not to blame, or scapegoat, white people for violence, but to place the responsibility for our violent cutlure on all of us. Many comments want to blame black culture, but violence infects white culture, too. My concern is that I think our cultural idea of justice is associated with punishment as opposed to reconciliation. Punishment leads to a spirit of revenge that permeates our culture. Is there another way?

[Major2219]

Nice Video!

~Blessings~

[Seanhatesyou2]

Restorative Justice is an interesting idea, and possibly more complex than our current system. Determining fair restoration for every crime will be different, and in the cases of murder or rape there really may be no fair compensation for the victim or their family. If the value restored to a victim is equal to the amount taken, it also may not be an effective deterrent to committing crimes.

[danthropomorph]

Hey Seanhatesyou2 -- the restorative justice process, to a large extent, is owned by the parties in conflict. In many cases it's the victims and offenders together, supported and constrained by members of their communities, who determine what needs to happen to make things right between them. Your point is well taken about its complexity b/c many times it's paired with retributive justice as an add-on, which really complicates things for everyone.

[timmyp34]

Violence is not always meaningless. Frequently it helps people out. There is a reason police carry nightsticks, Tasers, and firearms, and there is a reason almost all countries have a military. It doesn't "start with the American justice system". How many countries, past or present, have no police, prisons, armies, etc.  Apparently none until 1789?

[raventelevision]

Your point about 1789 is well taken, but violence is meaningless. The only reason police carry firearms is because of a threat of violence. So, we "use" violence to protect ourselves from violence. The problem is that violence cannot be controlled - it has a life of its own that transcends anyone's, or nations, ability to control it. I think this incident is evidence to that point.

[onradcay]

amazing video adam, realy deep.

[timmyp34]

You say that we use violence to protect ourselves from violence soon after stating that violence is meaningless. If something protected me from violence, I might tend to think it had meaning;i.e., violence is not meaningless, by your own words. Violence can not be controlled? But it is common for boxers, wrestlers, even "ultimate fighters", to shake hands or congratulate each other soon after a match. I think that is evidence against your point.

[raventelevision]

All good points. The problem I have is that everyone thinks their violence is good and meaningful. The people labelled "bad" justify their use of violence in the same way others do. The point about violence being uncontrollable is that violence is imitative. Physical, verbal, emotional - violence is imitative and produces in us a spirit of violence when we see it.

[raventelevision]

I think "Ultimate Fighting" is good evidence to my point. Our culture loves violence-so much that we are willing to pay people to see them inflict it upon one another. Ur right, for us to feel good about our love of violence, we expect them to shake hands. But the cultural love of violence infects all of us in a way we can't control. (Do you think the handshake is sincere?) Until there is a radical transformation of our culture, we can continue to expect these types of events to occur.

[kendell132]

I do think its possible, but it would take something drastic for the world to open its eyes. In a sense the world has grown too accustomed to this "senseless violence". I mean, most people are not as accepting to change as they should be. I definitely think this transformation can be made, but it would take a tremendous effort on a large scale and would not at all be easy .

[kendell132]

This was really deep man. Thanks for making this video. I totally agreed with everything you said. Senseless violence has become so accepted in the world today and we as a society need this radical transformation if we look to grow.

[raventelevision]

Wow. Thanks for this comment. I would love to know if you think that kind of transformation is possible. I mean, have we gone to far down the road of senseless violence to transform?

[dimk05]

Excellent points! 100% with you!

[afrank84]

You sparked my mind... I saw the pictures of prayer behind you.. I can guess where you learned about this radical transformation from...

[kamari312]

Yes it is and thank u for your concern and putting the word out there! I pray for these kids

[nochevinny]

soddom and gomorah!

[raventelevision]

Could you please say more about that? Not sure where you are going. Thanks!

[NLPNVC]

I love this man, thanks for spreading the word.

[raventelevision]

I love you, NLP!

[NLPNVC]

I will take your love and spread it around bro :-)

Much gratitude.

[kamari312]

GREAT Post! im from Chicago and went to Fenger High C/O 92 very disturbed,Hurt and Sad about the Sensless Violence that goes on here! Thanks For Spreading That Good Word! Good Bless

[raventelevision]

Thanks for the comment. This is a difficult time. I pray we can move toward justice without the desire for revenge.