After the violent beating and death of sixteen-year-old high school student Derrion Albert by Chicago gang members was caught on cell phone video, parents and activists have expressed anger about continued violence among young people in their city.
While walking home from school, Albert accidentally walked into the middle of a brawl between rival gangs. A football player and honor student, Albert has since become a symbol of teen violence across the country and the need to find a way to curb it.
In wake of the incident, Secretary of Education and former superintendent of Chicago school Arne Duncan and Attoney General Eric Holder met with Chicago leaders to discuss what could be done about youth gang activity. Some critics contend that decisions Duncan made while in Chicago have contributed to the spark in violence. They hope that federal stimulus money for counseling programs and innovative policing strategies will help solve the problem.
In the first part of this video, NewsHour correspondent Jeffrey Brown reports on concerns about teen violence in Chicago and across the country. He also speaks with a Chicago Sun-Times reporter about the increase in gang violence throughout the Windy City.
Quotes
"People have embraced Derrion as if he was their grandson or their nephew or their son, because this was a good kid on his way to greatness. And this level of tragedy, the brutality that this young man suffered in broad daylight has caused all of us to take a step back and ask ourselves, what can all of us do?" - Bishop Grant, Greater Mount Hebron Baptist Church
"Let us remember: Much of the violence against Chicago's young people involve gang violence, unfortunately. We need the help of the federal government to help break up the gangs in our city, which does not end at a city limit, and the terror that may bring to communities, not only a city, but throughout the country." - Richard Daley, Chicago mayor
Warm Up Questions
1. What is a gang?
2. How do gangs affect schools?
3. Who is the secretary of education? What does he do?
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think that young people turn to gangs? What economic or social motivations might make them turn to gang activity?
2. Given that there have been several teen deaths due to violence across the country, why is this one getting so much media attention? What does this say about the U.S. and its values?
3. Do you see evidence of teen violence in your community? What and where? Is it something that you are worried about?
4. What should be done to curb teen violence and gang activity? What can politicians, families and young people do to help?
Additional Resources
