One Teen's Take on Putting More Cops on the Streets

Posted March 6th, 2008 by kdunlap
in

I’m writing a profile about Shanita Talton, an 18-year-old youth advocate. Through Teens on Target, an Oakland-based youth advocacy program, she teaches middle and high school students how to prevent violence before it starts.

In my 2.5-hour long interview with her, she shared with me what life was like for her growing up in East Oakland and being exposed to violence. She told me about her home life living with a drug addict and high school dropout for a mother and an absentee father. She talked candidly about the responsibility that she assumed at a young age caring for herself, raising her four younger siblings and being shipped to a foster home.

“No apologies ever came from my parents,’’ she said. “My mom was strung out on crack and coming home was not a priority. Her home was the streets.’’
shanitashanita
I plan to write a longer story about Shanita and the Teens on Target program. It's scheduled for publication in the Oakland Tribune on March 31.

Shanita said something interesting that's worth bringing up now. She told me about her goals of attending UC Berkeley next year and creating her own major. She told me that she wanted to become a community therapist. It’s a career, she said, where she plans to help people receive free social services. She said that her approach to helping combat crime in Oakland and change some of the socio-economic conditions are in stark contrast to Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums solution of putting more cops on the streets.

Recently, Dellums' proposal to use $7.7 million to recruit and train more police officers to beef up the city’s efforts to confront crime was approved by the city council.

Shanita disagrees. She said that she and many of her peers see police as mainly law enforcers and not role models.

“People aren’t afraid of the police like they used to be,’’ she said. “They take forever to respond to a call, and by the time they do, we could be have World War VI and VII on our hands.’’

Shanita said the best way to promote violence prevention is to “habitually be in somebody’s face about it.’’ In the workshops, she talks to students about the root causes of violence, gun and gang violence and family and dating violence.

When Shanita becomes a community therapist she said she doesn’t want to hand out business cards.

“I want to be the person who is standing in the gap for the community,’’ she said. “It’s not about business. It’s about life.’’

-- Kamika Dunlap, Oakland Tribune

In response to "another ignorant child" post

On April 12th, 2008 kschuler said:
After reading this comment, I have been waiting for the anger to pass in order to more appropriately and respectfully respond. I am trying to wrap my head around the perspective (fearfully anonymous though it may be) you offer. I am wondering why you are so angry that a talented, critically thinking, determined, and experienced young woman has expressed interest in approaching violence prevention in innovative ways. I am wondering why reflexively (and quite ignorantly) you assume that this child is “uneducated” and exhibits “ignorance” in her views. I am wondering where you spend most of your time, how much time you have spent with her “fellow residents” or in this place you call the “inner city”. I am wondering how you know so well what “she’ll tell you” about how she grew up. I am trying to not assume too much about you as that is what angered me so much about what you have done with Shanita. I teach at the school Shanita attends. Quite simply, she is not uneducated, ignorant, or inexperienced as you have called her, and she knows far too much about what the “police do or don’t do”. Shanita is talented, sharp, funny, caring, and independent. I have always felt privileged to know Shanita, and I’m thrilled to know that she will (and already does) work to make positive leaps in an underserved community. Look her up online in a month, a year, five years, and I think you will see just how off-the-mark you are with your opinions of Shanita’s ignorance and lack of education. And apropos of nothing, your car analogy sucks. And one more thing; shame on you for writing “Role models are suppose to be parents which her mother wasn't”. It’s remarkable that the very story Shanita is unafraid to share should be used against her by somebody who will not even attach a name to their own opinions.

In Response to "another ignorant child" - Kirk Schuler

On April 11th, 2008 Anonymous said:
Maybe the police take "forever" to respond to calls because of the huge volume of calls that they receive. Of course the police are enforcers and aren't role models. Someone has to do the dirty work. Role models are suppose to be parents which her mother wasn't. You get a young inexperienced child like Shanita and she is going to tell you what she knows based on ignorance and heresay. What does she know about what the police do or don't do? If her fellow residents could learn to get along with each other then there would be no need for the police. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Why is it that when you ask an inner city child anything about the police that it's always negative? Because they are uneducated and too smart for themselves. Her solution to the problem is silly at best. "Habitually be in somebody's face about it." Are you going to be with this person 24/7, 365? Can you get into their mind and know what they are going to do? There are many better and realistic ideas, much better then the mind of a young child, who thinks that she is smarter than she really is. She'll tell you that she knows because she grew up on the mean streets of Oakland, in a broken home. That's like saying that because I drive a lot and I am around a lot of cars that I know how to build and fix them. Remember readers and Shanita, think what Oakland would be like if there were no police officers! After reading this comment, I have been waiting for the anger to pass in order to more appropriately and respectfully respond. I am trying to wrap my head around the perspective (fearfully anonymous though it may be) you offer. I am wondering why you are so angry that a talented, critically thinking, determined, and experienced young woman has expressed interest in approaching violence prevention in innovative ways. I am wondering why reflexively (and quite ignorantly) you assume that this child is “uneducated” and exhibits “ignorance” in her views. I am wondering where you spend most of your time, how much time you have spent with her “fellow residents” or in this place you call the “inner city”. I am wondering how you know so well what “she’ll tell you” about how she grew up. I am trying to not assume too much about you as that is what angered me so much about what you have done with Shanita. I teach at the school Shanita attends. Quite simply, she is not uneducated, ignorant, or inexperienced as you have called her, and she knows far too much about what the “police do or don’t do”. Shanita is talented, sharp, funny, caring, and independent. I have always felt privileged to know Shanita, and I’m thrilled to know that she will (and already does) work to make positive leaps in an underserved community. Look her up online in a month, a year, five years, and I think you will see just how off-the-mark you are with your opinions of Shanita’s ignorance and lack of education. And apropos of nothing, your car analogy sucks. And one more thing; shame on you for writing “Role models are suppose to be parents which her mother wasn't”. It’s remarkable that the very story she is unafraid to share should be used against her by somebody who will not even attach a name to their own opinions.

Shanita rocks!!!

On April 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:
I met Shanita when interviewing her for a STAR scholarship and she is the most incredible person I know. Her fortitude and inner-knowledge could knock you over. For someone so young who has raised herself, she is a role model for all of us, no matter what our age. It is wonderful that she will go to Cal next year. She inspires, inspires, and inspires some more. Thank you Shanita for letting us know what is possible. You are a magnificent person and I feel lucky to know you. Laurie Grossman Park Day School

Keep on keepin' on

On March 31st, 2008 buddy-cushman said:
It is wonderful to read this article (thank you Kamika)about one young woman walking her talk, and being part of the solution. Thank you Shanita. I'm a 59 year old white guy and have been working in the field of human services for over 30 years, almost all of it with teenagers, most recently with court-involved kids in San Francisco. I lived in Oakland, and though I am back on the other side of the country now, my heart remains in Oakland, and I try to stay aware of what is happening. The violence is so horrific, and so sad (a kid I worked with in the City, and really liked, a good kid, was shot and killed a couple of weeks ago). It will only be solved from the bottom up, and from inside out, because it seems like we are always in a very short supply of real leaders -- people with vision and passion, who can inspire us all and help us move toward a better life for everyone. You are on your way to being that kind of leader, Shanita, and lord knows we need each and every one of you. Stay safe, be well, and like we used to say, back in the day -- keep the faith.

Another ignorant child from the inner city

On March 14th, 2008 Anonymous said:
Maybe the police take "forever" to respond to calls because of the huge volume of calls that they receive. Of course the police are enforcers and aren't role models. Someone has to do the dirty work. Role models are suppose to be parents which her mother wasn't. You get a young inexperienced child like Shanita and she is going to tell you what she knows based on ignorance and heresay. What does she know about what the police do or don't do? If her fellow residents could learn to get along with each other then there would be no need for the police. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Why is it that when you ask an inner city child anything about the police that it's always negative? Because they are uneducated and too smart for themselves. Her solution to the problem is silly at best. "Habitually be in somebody's face about it." Are you going to be with this person 24/7, 365? Can you get into their mind and know what they are going to do? There are many better and realistic ideas, much better then the mind of a young child, who thinks that she is smarter than she really is. She'll tell you that she knows because she grew up on the mean streets of Oakland, in a broken home. That's like saying that because I drive a lot and I am around a lot of cars that I know how to build and fix them. Remember readers and Shanita, think what Oakland would be like if there were no police officers!

Ignorant Adults Don't Enlighten Young Learners

On April 13th, 2008 Anonymous said:
The 'huge volume'of police calls, unfortunately, is duplicated around the country in many areas, not just 'inner city.' What do you mean of course the police aren't role models - I bet you excoriate rappers for the filth they espouse and probably call them "role models". How hypocritical. Yes, officers can and should be Role Models. We had the Officer Friendly program in our school and ALL children should view the police as the ones to go to when they have a problem and the ones who protect them when their is trouble. How many 'inner city' - no, let's just say it: Black children have you talked to that had negative views of the police? Just the ones you saw on TV, right? The 'habitually in their face' remark is the same tactic that gained the vote for suffragettes, civil rights for Blacks, and freedom for the American colonies. I think you missed the whole point of the article. You put a lot of words in her mouth and pasted a lot of your own false, cynical, inaccurate prejudices and perceptions onto the article. Your response seems to be full of ignorance and hearsay [not heresy, for which you could be excommunicated...] Remember readers, the first police priority was to control the 'Nigra' problem and until the courts are realigned with the modern civil rights advances i.e. pushed out of the late 1800's Shanita and everyone who looks like her will be thought of as criminals, no matter how upstanding, educated and well-heeled they may be.

Thank You ??Anonymous??

On April 12th, 2008 Anonymous said:
Hello, Im Shanita and I am everything but ANOTHER IGNORANT CHILD FROM THE INNER CITY. No disrespect (anonymous) but it's people like you who know nothing about the inner city and how the police have became more of a hassle than a help. Yes, someone needs to do the dirty work, but that doesn't mean that they need to make threats and kill youth who come from poverty stricken communities. But what would you know? Based on that comment it seemed as if you had a gold spoon in your mouth. Skip the volume of calls, thats irrelevant if the mayor cares more abouit intervention than prevention. Hire more operators than because they do more work than the enforcers. Don't take me so literal when about the comment that you titled silly. Evidently, your the silly one and just one less person who adds to the problem than prevents it. If it are "many better and realistic ideas" than why haven't any of them work? I won't apologize that every inner city youth have negatives respionds when it comes to the police! WHAT GOOD HAVE THEY DONE FOR US!!!!! I am not to smart for myself. Call it what it is...too smart for you. To make a long story short...the fate of this community in all of earth rest in the Hands of God. Thank you anonymous for your comment that has been nothing but fuel to my fire as I enter UC BERKELEY free of charge. God Bless all of you. Thanks to all who appreciate my efforts and do nothing but encourage me.

It works like this

On April 24th, 2008 Anonymous said:
Shanita, it doesn't make the pain any less to have someone you love murdered by a fifteen year old instead of a thirty year old. If a violent youthful offender is behaving in a way threatening to the lives of others, he has to be stopped, just like violent older offenders have to be stopped. Sometimes the police have to injure or kill offenders to protect human lives. It isn't an ideal solution; but the alternatives are far worse.

Ignorant child? Surely you jest.

On April 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:
Dear Friend, Shanita is a miracle child. She raised herself, had an incredibly high GPA, took care of her siblings, was a regular volunteer in an agency to make things better for kids on the streets, and worked to earn money so she could support herself. She has seen more and done more than most adults I know. Shame on the person that called her ignorant. You could learn alot from this wonderful little girl who is going to Cal next year - she made it on her own, all by herself. Laurie Grossman

Just another judgemental, self-righteous crank.

On April 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:
She's trying!!!!

Response by Kirk Schuler

On April 4th, 2008 Anonymous said:
After reading this comment, I have been waiting for the anger to pass in order to more appropriately and respectfully respond. I am trying to wrap my head around the perspective (fearfully anonymous though it may be) you offer. I am wondering why you are so angry that a talented, critically thinking, determined, and experienced young woman has expressed interest in approaching violence prevention in innovative ways. I am wondering why reflexively (and quite ignorantly) you assume that this child is “uneducated” and exhibits “ignorance” in her views. I am wondering where you spend most of your time, how much time you have spent with her “fellow residents” or in this place you call the “inner city”. I am wondering how you know so well what “she’ll tell you” about how she grew up. I am extremely concerned about your views of this place you refer to as the "inner city". The very subject of your comment suggests that there is some sort of ignorance epidemic, yet only in the inner city. I'd like to know more about what experience is behind your subject line, because if you lack experience in the inner city, I would suggest that the subject itself is generated out of a lack of knowledge or, as you so loosely use, ignorance. And if this is the case, I invite you to come to our community and put some knowledge behind your opinions. I am trying to not assume too much about you as that is what angered me so much about what you have done with Shanita. I teach at the school Shanita attends. Quite simply, she is not uneducated, ignorant, or inexperienced as you have called her, and she knows far too much about what the “police do or don’t do”. Shanita is talented, sharp, funny, caring, and independent. I have always felt privileged to know Shanita, and I’m thrilled to know that she will (and already does) work to make positive leaps in an underserved community. Look her up online in a month, a year, five years, and I think you will see just how off-the-mark you are with your opinions of Shanita’s ignorance and lack of education. And apropos of nothing, your car analogy sucks. And one more thing; shame on you for writing “Role models are suppose to be parents which her mother wasn't”. It’s remarkable that the very story she is unafraid to share should be used against her by somebody who will not even attach a name to their own opinions.

Shanika Article by Karnika Dunlap

On March 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:
What a valuable article and Shanika is what Oakland needs, The city should get behind her efforts, because she and people like her, is the answer to Oaklands homicide problem. The police can only react to a problem, the core cause has to be identified and corrected! I recommend that some of the social leaders get in contact with this valuable citizen that has an answer but she alone can not do it all. Shanika your Right on girl, don't get discouraged,Your going to be a valueabe future leader with on your community! Also Kamika the person that wrote the story, it is encouraging to read about whats being done on the positive side, because all we read about is our young youth being murdered daily and a lot of "TALK" about what the problem is and nothing about what is being done to defete the core CAUSE of Oakland becomming the Muder Capital of the country. It is always the other persons problem UNTIL it effects you and your loved one is shot dead. Those of you setting on the side line contact Shanika or Kamika and offer to help in any way you can. I'm sure that Shanika isn't the only one who really cares about cleaning up your community.