Juvenile Justice

On Thursday guests from Chicago's WBEZ radio came to interview our B period Urban Studies class about a series they were running on juvenile justice.

Each of our classes will be checking out the stories and then replying to one of the "Share Your Thoughts" links on the WBEZ website. The link is HERE.

Its time to sign up and vote!

In the first half of chapter 3 Venkatesh describes the fascinating and bizarre relationships between gangs and politics. What do you think about this relationship? Do you believe it still exists today? When responding be sure to use at least one quote/reference from the reading and respond to at least one other post.

"I'm not black"

Hey all:

Welcome to the first post of the New Year. AFTER reading the Preface and Chapter One in Gang Leader for a Day I'd like you to respond to at least one of the following questions. Your responses must use at least one piece of evidence from the text, and must respond directly to at least one other blogger (with the exception of the first person to post).

Here are the questions:
1. "And then you got a whole lot of black folk who realize it ain't no use. Like us. We just spend our time trying to get by..." (p7). Consider our discussion on to what extent people are responsible for their own economic conditions. Why do Old Time & Charlie feel this way? Why do they send Venkatesh to seek out the young men for answers?

2. Why does J.T. claim he's not black, nor African-American--but a "nigger?"

3. Why would J.T. want Venkatesh to follow his gang around--after all, they are dealing in illegal activities?