A truce among gangs?
Tuesday's lead editorial.
The state leader of a well-known gang stepped forward Monday morning and said he wanted to give peace a chance.
Flanked by fellow gang members and his two young daughters, ages 10 and 5, Jorge Cornell, 31, “Inca” of the Latin Kings in North Carolina, said he was reaching out to rival gangs such as the Bloods and the Crips, and that he was heartened by the response.
“The peace is already starting,” he said, wearing a yellow Latin Kings T-shirt and a pair of tattooed tear drops under his left eye.
It was a powerful moment. And it was a hopeful, utterly surprising development. Should we believe him?
We should certainly want to believe him. While still far from levels elsewhere in the country, gang activity is growing in North Carolina. If communities don’t take urgent steps now, it could become much worse.
The proof will come in the actions that follow Cornell’s words, spoken during a news conference at Faith Community Church. Cornell said he wanted to sit down with other gang members. And he reached out to church leaders in the black community. That in itself is a promising start.
He also called on the media to “get the word out so we can preach peace.”
Less clear was Cornell’s explanation as to why he was calling for peace now. He cited what he alleged was a warrantless arrest by Greensboro police and what he suggested is persecution of the entire Latino community for the misdeeds of a few. And, while he may have called for the truce among gangs, it would have been even more encouraging if he also had called for an end to all gang crime and violence in the community.
Ironically, on the very same morning as the news conference, “a validated member of the Latin Kings” was featured in the News & Record’s weekly feature, “Guilford’s County’s Most Wanted.” He has been charged with attempted murder.
Still, this small step toward progress could be a very important one. And even if that peace begins with rival gangs not battling one another, it’s not insignificant. Some of the highest-profile gang violence has involved innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. In 2007, a 13-year-old girl was fatally shot during a birthday party in Salisbury. Only months ago, a spate of drive-by shootings into Greensboro houses were traced to rival gangs.
Some of us, meanwhile, may question the involvement of the Rev. Nelson Johnson in Monday’s announcement. After all, Johnson is no stranger to controversy, especially as it pertains to the Nov. 3, 1979, Klan-Nazi shootings in Morningside Homes and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission formed four years ago to revisit that event.
But that was then and this is now. We have called for the local faith community to be an active part of the gang solution. That’s what Johnson and a fellow clergyman, the Rev. Gregory Headen, appear to be doing.
If they can make a helpful difference, more power to them.
Comments (11)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Personally, I'm not impressed. If the guy wants to make a real gesture, how about quitting the gang or attempt to disband it? Their whole purpose for existence is to cause chaos. I'm not about to fall for their "message of peace" or feel any warm fuzzies because of this announcement. A man with two kids, age 10 and 5, the head of a gang?Shame on him.
Posted on July 1, 2008 6:39 AM
Here is the key to this farce;
"Cornell called on all gang members to unify to fight against policies such as 287-g agreements, which give local law-enforcement jurisdictions broader authority to deport immigrants charged with crimes."
In other words, his main thrust is to keep violent illegal immigrants in the state. I believe a truce among gangs was also used by the Mafia in the NE, in order to insure maximum profits for all, from their illegal activities.
Posted on July 1, 2008 10:33 AM
being an active gang member and saying "I want to stop gang violence and lets all get along" is pretty much the same as being a crackhead and saying "Don't do drugs".
Posted on July 1, 2008 11:55 AM
Oh give me a break, these people are nothing but organized criminal thugs, they should all be rounded up and jailed for contributing to the delinquency of minors. And this so-called grand inca is an insult to the Inca, and to all Latin Americans. Life should be made very difficult for them in NC, so they will not choose to come here. This includes the so-called crips, bloods, and all other criminal gangs.
Posted on July 1, 2008 12:40 PM
A novel thought. Ask yourself "what do gangs do?" Last time I looked, they end up committing crimes. Man, are we out of touch. According to some, we have grossly misinterpreted the gang's motives and actions, to the point that the N&R is all giddy with the thought that the "inca" has changed his spots and is now going to plump for peace among the gangs. Oh Yeah. What a relief? Boy did we waste $500K when a simple meeting among the gangs would have done so much more. Brains gone to mush??
Posted on July 1, 2008 9:11 PM
G.P.D Retired said:
Nice Editorial,
I think the gangs need to be united for. "Peace".....................What the H are you thinking????
Unite these animals? Well, thanks again for all the help.Maybe now these criminals will unite into one big pack, take over the whole city, and then give all the credit for the idea to the N&R. Nice opinion.
Posted on July 1, 2008 11:09 PM
only a short statement is needed for this peace feeler: " when the Hen house is locked only the Fox is offended."
Posted on July 3, 2008 8:49 AM
I think this guy see's whats happening in their community today and want to fix this problem that has been going on for years a gang isnt always a bad thing some have improved our community greatly this man just wants to try and fix some of the bad things that these gangs have done over the years by calling a truce.
Posted on November 20, 2008 3:17 PM
I think this guy see's whats happening in their community today and want to fix this problem that has been going on for years a gang isnt always a bad thing some have improved our community greatly this man just wants to try and fix some of the bad things that these gangs have done over the years by calling a truce.
Posted on November 20, 2008 3:17 PM
Ok by the comments I have read everybody who has commented are ignorant, if you knew why they do these things you would understand better everybody who comments here should learn before you speak if the gangs unite and call a truce we wouldent have to worry as much as we do, o yea like your mother told you people if you dont have anything nice to say dont say it at all u basterds
Posted on November 20, 2008 3:23 PM
Ok by the comments I have read everybody who has commented are ignorant, if you knew why they do these things you would understand better everybody who comments here should learn before you speak if the gangs unite and call a truce we wouldent have to worry as much as we do, o yea like your mother told you people if you dont have anything nice to say dont say it at all u basterds
Posted on November 20, 2008 3:23 PM