conflict doesn’t just exist outside of the united states.  it happens all over the place, and tends to manifest itself in many different ways.  the US has seen a lot of conflict within its own borders, one type being street violence.  Tyrone Parker, from the neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., co-founded the Alliance of Concerned Men after the accidental death of his son, who was hit by a stray bullet during a skating rink shootout in 1989.  instead of seeking revenge, Parker dedicated himself to ending the violence in his hometown and restoring the sense of community he himself had grown up with in the same place.  Parker and the Alliance’s co-founders (Rahim Jenkins, Joe Nelson, Eric Johnson and James Alsobrooks) reasoned that the secret to ending violence was to go to the source to cultivate truces between conflicting groups.  the five men became volunteer peacemakers, going out unarmed and confronting violence on a person-to-person basis.

knowing that the Alliance isn’t there to hurt anyone, gangs and their individual members have begun to trust Parker and the Alliance; when Alliance mediators set out to settle disputes among killers and vengeful street leaders, giving them a chance to escape the crime an violence in which they have established themselves.

the Alliance has several programs, serving around 300 kids per day.  operating on the fact that every person has his or her own integrity and worth, the Alliance mentors all kinds of people, from ex-convicts, to students after school, to people in substance abuse programs.  countries such as Russia and Brazil have reached out to the Alliance for guidance on how to improve their own civic situations.

Attorney General Eric Holder spoke on february 18th of the achievements of the Alliance.  Of it he said,

I’ve watched the Alliance of Concerned Men grow from a handful of frustrated – yet, ultimately, hopeful – friends and neighbors into what it is today: one of this city’s most powerful, and most successful, voices for change. You’ve helped to create peace in some of our most dangerous and divided neighborhoods. You’ve spoken out for communities in crisis. And you’ve stood up for families and individuals in need. This work has always begun in the same, simple way – by getting people together, by talking, and by listening.

i think we can all learn a thing or two from Tyrone Parker and Eric Holder.  resolving conflict in a non-violent way that brings people together–now that is the best way to do it.

send your comments, stories, or thoughts.  who knows, i may repost them! and i would love to read what you have to say.

for more information on the Alliance of Concerned Men, go to www.allianceofconcernedmen.com

Tags: street violence