Teen gangs are both a blessing and a curse. They provide an avenue for troubled teens to get psychological comfort, social development and physical fo.jpgication; but at the same time, they are detrimental relative to the values, ethics and character ideals they instill in the gang members.

Parents, educators and community agencies should develop new plans that promote "nurturing gangs." In other words, let them work together to advocate a message that it's fine to belong to a "gang" that provides them with the benefits compared to those of a family. But we should redefine what a gang should mean to the individual.

Gangs should promote self-worth, personal development and the most genuine of fraternal spirit. Instead of using graffiti art to express oneself, gang members should tap into expressional arts such as poetry, music, painting and drawing designed to benefit themselves and the community.

The "nurturing gang" mentality can be reached if of our business and social communities intervened and challenged the societal elements that breed gangs and violence. The resources and the education for this kind of intervention can be achieved, such as protecting those trying to leave gangs. In turn develop places where teens can go and express themselves in uplifting and positive ways. This will also mean to them than happenstance situations.

An excellent idea I concur with was developed by the Orangeburg County Gang Intervention Council. The idea is for providing educators with the appropriate training to enable them to relate to and intervene with current teen gang problems. This is a positive step in the right direction. And the momentum has to be maintained for the good of the community.

-- Rashad Anderson, Junior majoring in music education, South Carolina State University.

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