More thoughts on the gang peace overture
Following a call for peace Monday by the North Carolina leader of the Latin Kings, one TV reporter was so moved by what she’d heard that she hugged Jorge Cornell.
I did not hug Cornell. I am still hopeful that he is serious and sincere in his call for area gangs to put down their arms and put aside their violence toward one another.
But I still worry about the rest of us.
Cornell said: “My goal is to bring peace to the streets. (For) black and brown to come together as one.”
Who could argue with that sentiment? But, again, Cornell stopped short of renouncing all criminal activity by gangs. And even though he is a man of few words, some of those words seemed contradictory.
I asked at his news conference about his earlier statements that gang violence here is exaggerated (“The newspaper hypes it up. The police hype it up.”). If that was so, I said, why was there a need to call a truce in the first place?
A woman sitting behind me suggested that the police were behind the alleged gang violence. (If I had a dime for every conspiracy theory in this town, I could buy out Bill Gates.)
But I still want to believe Cornell. The safety this could bring and the racial bridges it could build could be significant. I don’t fault the Revs. Nelson Johnson and Greg Headen for reaching out to Cornell. Isn't that what men of faith are supposed to do?
Still, this doesn’t feel totally right. Am I being merely a cynic, as a friend said the other day?
So, I sought further insight from an interview with Cornell in the current edition of the Spanish-language paper, Que Pasa.
Some of what he said, thanks to translation help from a few of my colleagues:
“The peace treaty would be necessary to eliminate carrying the fights (quarrels) away from the table. We would have to avoid retaliation and killings in honor of a better future for all.”
Under the “peace treaty” he proposes, problems would be resolved by gang leaders disciplining their members, to prevent them from taking justice into their own hands, which is what generates the violence among them.
He envisions a “Supreme Council” to organize street marches, mobilize civil resistance against the application of Section 287(g) of federal immigration law, ask that young people are permitted to study in community colleges, even if they don’t have a Social Security numbers, and that they oppose the passing of the aggressive laws against the collective Hispanic community.
“They want to eliminate us completely,” he said. “We have to detain racism.”
Also on hios agenda is to prevent the passage of an anti-gang law in the General Assembly.
‘It’s a negative law, because when three people gather of the same color, potentially it could be considered a gang-related act. Furthermore, if you meet with me, that law would give you problems.”
The more I think about it, the Supreme Council sounds a lot like Prop Joe’s confab of gang lords in the TV series “The Wire,” in which those crime leaders negotiated over territory and resolved disputes around conference tables in a hotel meeting room. They even had an agenda and refreshments.
That said, Lord knows relations between African Americans and the growing Latino community, in particular, are not what they ought to be. It’s a sad, ironic state of affairs. Why should people of color be so distrustful of one another?
So, in the end, something is better than nothing. Talking is better than not talking. And at least trying is a lot better than not trying.
Comments (15)
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I'll believe Cornell is serious when he sits down with GPD gang detectives and does the following:
1) Identifies all gang members in NC
2) Give information on all the crimes committed by gang members
3) Agrees to testify in court against gang members
Until then, Cornell is just pursuing some kind of agenda with the complicity of Nelson Johnson. Or maybe the other way around, take your pick...
Posted on July 1, 2008 9:53 PM
So, uh, how did he answer your question (a good one)?
Don't worry about being too cynical. You're not nearly as cynical as you ought to be. Although I fully expect the N&R to follow the hugging-TV-reporter lead (there's that journalistic impartiality I'm always reading about) and accept Cornell as a "leader" of the Latino community, you guys really should think twice about accepting a criminal as the spokesperson for an entire minority group. Indeed, the premise that minority groups need gang leadership to solve their problems with violence is, on the face of it, slightly sketchy.
Posted on July 2, 2008 1:44 AM
So Jorge and Johnson want to end racism and violence? It's sad that people like Jorge and his so called nation are even tolerated in our city. The police need to step up their activities against gangs and Johnson would do well to remember that other organization he used to belong to-the CWP!
Posted on July 2, 2008 2:40 AM
To Jaycee:
I see your points, but if gangs not shooting at each other saves innocent lives -- and it could, if it actually happens -- I'm for that.
And I remain uneasy about Cornell's motives. His actions, not his words, will tell the tale.
Posted on July 2, 2008 9:26 AM
To Jaycee:
I see your points, but if gangs not shooting at each other saves innocent lives -- and it could, if it actually happens -- I'm for that.
And I remain uneasy about Cornell's motives. His actions, not his words, will tell the tale.
Posted on July 2, 2008 9:30 AM
So what would Cornell want in return for "providing" peace? Sounds like some kind of extortion to me. And you can bet that if Nelson Johnson is involved there will be a plea for taxpayer $$$ somewhere along the line.
My question is this: Has Cornell coopted Johnson into an extortion scheme for taxpayer $$$, or has Johnson coopted Cornell into the scheme?
Time will tell. Keep your hand on your wallet.
Posted on July 2, 2008 9:53 AM
I could be wrong but I don't see any kind of taxpayer-funded program in the offing, nor any personal payoff for Johnson. I honestly think he's involved because he believes it's a worthy cause. But, again, I could be wrong.
Posted on July 2, 2008 10:31 AM
How will these truces be enforced? This is a community of violence and fear. Respect is based on one's ability to maim/harm another. Will these gang leaders all of a sudden adapt the management/people skills to govern their crews? What happens when Cornell is disrespected at one of these meetings and does not retaliate? Will his members still follow? I truly doubt it. There will be an upstart to challenge him and promise that he will not be disrespected. "It is much better to be feared than to be loved."
Prop Joe's council didn't work and this one won't either. What a waste of time. The best way to stop gang violence is to get the gangs off the streets. The efforts should be put into keeping kids out of gangs, not making sure they behave once they are in them.
Posted on July 2, 2008 2:42 PM
Does anyone here really know what they are talking about when it comes to this issue? If you look into the past of a great leader Malcolm X, did he not have a criminal past but turned into leader of the Isalmic community? As I sit back and read such "profound" statements I wonder..how many of you watch Scarface, Soprano's, The Wire, and other movies and tv shows? This is what you are responding to. This is what you have envisioned in your head as "criminal leadership" and how business is conducted in the streets. There is NO underlined motive here but the fact that he is trying to bring peace here in our area to fight injustice for hispanics and blacks. If you don't think he can do it then can you? Will you go into the streets and speak to gang leaders and get them to come to the table? Probaly not. Someone stated that we just need to get rid of the gangs..ok..but the fact of the matter is they are here now and we need to deal with that. If he wants to step up to the plate, then more power to him. And the comment that was made about the news woman hugging him, I was there and witnessed that. Allen, you may not have hugged him but you did show him respect by shaking his hand. Let's not make it seem like you had no respect for what he is doing.
Posted on July 2, 2008 10:16 PM
You're right; I did shake his hand. It's standard practiice when I introduce myself to someone.
I also hope he is sincere and succeeds.
But I must admit I still have some misgivings.
If I am wrong in being skeptical, I would never have been happier being wrong.
Posted on July 3, 2008 8:58 AM
Yes, I did shake Cornell's hand. I generally shake hands when introducing myself to someone.
I truly hope he is sincere and that he succeeds.
I have my misgivings, but I hope I'm wrong.
I would never have been happier to be wrong in this case.
Posted on July 3, 2008 9:03 AM
How is any of this so call peace going to work. When you talk Bloods and Crips your talking of numerious clicks within both these gangs. Many of which are on their own agenda or at war with each other. Not to mention Latin Kings having been at war with SUR 13 another Latino gang from H.P. and Greensboro. most recently last year when they fought in H. P. which resulted in Sur 13 gang members getting stabbed by Latin Kings. Than you have MS 13 which most recentlly shot 2 other Latino brothers in a resturant in Greensboro which resulted in their deaths. Bloods and Crips could care less if any Latino is deported or discriminated against. You need to know more about the Almighty Latin King Nation. Which was born back in the late 40s back in Chicago as a political activist group. It was formed in order to fight for the civil rights of Puerto Ricans at that time. The group did not achieve its goal somehow they got involved in illegal activites. They eventually continued in criminal activities abandoning their original purpose. They than became Chicago biggest gang at that time. Present day the Almighty Latin King Nation in Chicago are very much still involved in criminal activities. And this Chicago based gang is the one that Cornell says gave him their blessings. While your reading up on the ALKN from Chicago. Look up the Almighty Latin King Queen Nation from NY ( there was a special on HBO about the Latin Kings of NY ) , NJ, Conn and growing . No sorry as a true Latino I will never accept this Jorge Cornell aka King J the Inca of the ALKN in NC. The next news conference Cornell holds he should first announce that he has turned in all his weapons to the nearest G.C.S.O or GPD office. That he has order all gang members of the Latin Kings to do the same. Next that he has desolved the Almighty Latin King Queen Nation here in NC. He destroys all his gang colors that represent the ALKQN. That he denounces the ALKN and ALKQN. Finally he no longer believes in Amor Del Rey. As long as Cornell has anything to do with ALKN or any gang I will never have any trust in this gang leader. Like I said he will never represent me a true Puerto Rican. I will fight for what is mine on my own, thank you.
Posted on July 6, 2008 10:24 PM
Allen, you are right to be skeptical of this
It's a common tactic for organized crime to seek legitimacy. By positioning themselves as a social/political group, they build their power and leverage, which helps them in their criminal activities. If Mr. Cornell was serious about this, he would have called for dismantling the gangs.
The involvement of Nelson Johnson and the Pulpit Forum also should make you skeptical. Just look at their track record on everything else they've been involved with.
Posted on July 7, 2008 9:22 AM
Juan, thanks for some insight into the Latin King Nation. I haven't researched it, but you seem to be right on the money.
I, too, would like to see Cornell reject all gang affiliation and activity before I take him seriously.
Posted on July 7, 2008 9:47 AM
Why would anyone give this "thug" a platform to further his own cause and try to raise his statue in the community. I'm not at all surprise the so called "REV" Johnson is involved in this latest scam on the people of Greensboro. These gang members need to be hunted down and locked up. They have no respect for property or persons of any color. What Cornell is advocating is people of color against whites. He is not for peace in the community but anarchy. I would advocate not giving Cornell or Johnson a platform to spew their venom on this city. Johnson is an albatross for the city of Greensboro always with ulterior motives.
Posted on July 8, 2008 8:19 AM