What is critical theory? Critical theory focuses on transformation, precisely on the transformation of society. It aims to make the world a better place by providing changes in order to accomplish that. According to the readings, critical theory argues that we as individuals and even as a society can change the world that we have created for ourselves because we are the creators. Critical theorists have two goals that they proposed are necessary to create change. The first goal is to bring consciousness. By this it is meant that people need to know what is going on and that they are being oppressed because if they do not know what is going on than no changes are going to be done. The second goal is to bring freedom and liberation. By this it means that critical theorists want to encourage people to want to change the issue or problem. Not only does critical theory focuses on the transformation of society as a whole, but also on getting rid of domination and power that are oppressing certain individuals. As I reading and learning about critical theory and what they focus on, I thought about violence and gangs in low income communities.
Gangs and violence have been a great issue, especially in lower income communities. I chose to discuss the idea of gangs and violence because when I think of gangs I think of power and oppression. Power over the streets and oppression of residents living within those streets; which pretty much is the broader picture of gangs. The power that the gang members have over certain streets lead to the oppression of people because innocent individuals who are not gang members are being killed from all the violence gang members are bringing to their community. Individuals who are gang members on the other hand are oppression when joining a gang. Gangs also has gang leaders that the gang members have to obey or otherwise they get violated, hence oppressing their own gang members. Gangs are an issue because they are destroying the society by bringing violence. People who live in communities where there is gang affiliation are scared to walk the streets of their own neighborhood because of fear of being shot or “checked” by gang members. Also, a lot of children who do not even know what a gang is are being killed because of all the shooting that gangs are a part of. In order to make the world a better and a safer place to live like what critical theories propose, we as individuals have to come together and reconstruct the community that gangs have diminished. Critical theorists’ second goal is to make people want to make changes. In order to reduce gang violence, I propose some sort of violence prevention programs to teach individuals the harm that violence is bringing to the community. I would suggest starting with the youth because they are the ones more prone to join a gang as a way to identify their own self. The community has to come together and start the prevention programs and actually commit in order for changes to occur. One youth prevention program that I think would be effective is bringing young adolescents and conducting art therapy sessions. Art therapy would help individuals express themselves through artwork and keep them productive instead of being out on the streets causing destruction.
Gangs and violence have been a great issue, especially in lower income communities. I chose to discuss the idea of gangs and violence because when I think of gangs I think of power and oppression. Power over the streets and oppression of residents living within those streets; which pretty much is the broader picture of gangs. The power that the gang members have over certain streets lead to the oppression of people because innocent individuals who are not gang members are being killed from all the violence gang members are bringing to their community. Individuals who are gang members on the other hand are oppression when joining a gang. Gangs also has gang leaders that the gang members have to obey or otherwise they get violated, hence oppressing their own gang members. Gangs are an issue because they are destroying the society by bringing violence. People who live in communities where there is gang affiliation are scared to walk the streets of their own neighborhood because of fear of being shot or “checked” by gang members. Also, a lot of children who do not even know what a gang is are being killed because of all the shooting that gangs are a part of. In order to make the world a better and a safer place to live like what critical theories propose, we as individuals have to come together and reconstruct the community that gangs have diminished. Critical theorists’ second goal is to make people want to make changes. In order to reduce gang violence, I propose some sort of violence prevention programs to teach individuals the harm that violence is bringing to the community. I would suggest starting with the youth because they are the ones more prone to join a gang as a way to identify their own self. The community has to come together and start the prevention programs and actually commit in order for changes to occur. One youth prevention program that I think would be effective is bringing young adolescents and conducting art therapy sessions. Art therapy would help individuals express themselves through artwork and keep them productive instead of being out on the streets causing destruction.