Peace In the Hood Working with Gang Members to End the Violence

by Basheer, Aquil; Hoag, Christina; Carroll, Pete

• ISBN13: 9780897937061
• ISBN10: 0897937066
• Format: Spiral Bound
• Copyright: 2014-07-15
• Publisher: Hunter House

Summary

When we think of gangs, we are likely overcome with images of fear and violence. But there is another side, that of the interventionists devoted to making peace in gang territories. Written by Aquil Basheer, a pioneer of the interventionist movement, Peace In the Hood takes us inside this dual world of violence and intervention, evoking the reality of gangland warfare while acknowledging the possibility of peace. Basheer has witnessed firsthand the brutality of gang violence. After founding the Professional Community Intervention Training Institute, Peace In the Hood marks Basheer’s next step in spreading his message of nonviolence. Designed to teach anyone how to become an interventionist, the book offers clear guidelines on the work. Each chapter deals with a key aspect of peacemaking and comes with anecdotes from Basheer’s own life. However, Peace In the Hood is not just a guide for burgeoning interventionists; it provides useful insights for everyone living in an area affected by gangs. Its descriptions make it the perfect tool for students and teachers of social justice, and its mix of narrative and advice creates an accessible text—a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of gangs and the efforts to make peace among them.

Author Biography

Aquil Basheer is a foremost expert and pioneer in the field of street violence intervention. He founded and operates the Professional Community Intervention Training Institute (PCITI), the nation's only 18-week gang interventionist training and personal development academy; the academy now operates in Los Angeles, Seattle, Tacoma, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. He has also served as as an anti-violence consultant in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Basheer has been the subject of articles in the Los Angeles Times and other major media, and has appeared as an expert in programs on the History Channel and the Discovery Channel, and in documentaries about gangs. In 2010, he was honored with the California Wellness Foundation's Peace Prize for his lifelong efforts against violence. Basheer lives in Moreno Valley, CA.
Christina Hoag is a journalist who has reported on social and political issues in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean for Time, BusinessWeek, The New York Times, and more. Most recently an urban affairs reporter for The Associated Press in Los Angeles, Hoag lives in Santa Monica, CA.
Pete Carroll is the coach for the Seattle Seahawks.

Table of Contents

Foreword: NFL Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll
Introduction: One Bullet at a Time
1. License to Operate
2. The Mindset
3. The Yellow Tape
4. The Grapevine
5. The White Flag
6. The Victims
7. Street Survival
8. The Parley
9. The Debrief
10. Colors on Campus
11. Second Chance
12. Baby Mama, Baby Daddy
13. Community Repair
14. Staying True to the Mission
15. The Business
Acknowledgements