Many of the Somali youth in the Minneapolis area, have resorted to gangs and drugs. Recently many of the members in the Somali Mafia and gangs have been charged with sex-trafficking crimes. Since 2007 there has been a series of problems from deadly shootings to Islamic extremists and now the sex trade. The community is angry with law enforcement and themselves for not protecting their kids better. A Somali sociologist at the University of Minnesota said that the past concerns about troubled youth have not been followed up with financial support or programs to help them. This is viewed by many Somali as an outrage and a scandal. The Somali youth need help. Although many Somali migrants are adapting well, most are living in poverty and their painful history creates extra obstacles for the Somali families. The migrant youth are more at risk than others. Most parents have gown up in Somalia while their children have grown up in the United States. Some have come here after spending their early childhood in refugee camps. Some parents speak little English and live according to their native culture while their children try to adapt to a very different American culture and not often have troubles belonging to either culture. A significant minority have dropped out of school only to spend their time on the streets. It is a travesty that these people have come so far, escaping and coming through all of their hardships, only to lose their children to gangs, drugs, prostitution and sex-trafficking.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sex-Trafficing Charges Stun Minneapolis Somalis
Many of the Somali youth in the Minneapolis area, have resorted to gangs and drugs. Recently many of the members in the Somali Mafia and gangs have been charged with sex-trafficking crimes. Since 2007 there has been a series of problems from deadly shootings to Islamic extremists and now the sex trade. The community is angry with law enforcement and themselves for not protecting their kids better. A Somali sociologist at the University of Minnesota said that the past concerns about troubled youth have not been followed up with financial support or programs to help them. This is viewed by many Somali as an outrage and a scandal. The Somali youth need help. Although many Somali migrants are adapting well, most are living in poverty and their painful history creates extra obstacles for the Somali families. The migrant youth are more at risk than others. Most parents have gown up in Somalia while their children have grown up in the United States. Some have come here after spending their early childhood in refugee camps. Some parents speak little English and live according to their native culture while their children try to adapt to a very different American culture and not often have troubles belonging to either culture. A significant minority have dropped out of school only to spend their time on the streets. It is a travesty that these people have come so far, escaping and coming through all of their hardships, only to lose their children to gangs, drugs, prostitution and sex-trafficking.
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This is a very sad article and fact. No matter how bad of an environment or situation a person comes from, I believe the first line of protection should be the family and community. The law enforcement agencies are to not only provide infrastructures or ways of settling down for the Somali immigrants, but also programs and initiatives that will help them in adapting to a new culture and way of live. Educational programs should be promoted not only by the government, but also by the Somali community. Whatever is important to community, the youth will want to be interested.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to know that majority of the immigrants coming into this country never had a clue of what is to confront them. Therefore, if some are able to work themselves up the ladder and become notable, then we cannot blame government for the shortcomings of these kids. Having a mindset that it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to train these kids is a fallacy. Though, I understand their past hardship and present challenges but parents must not neglect their responsilities in training their children. However, if they are still stuck with their past that now makes them indulge in these vices, if the law catches up with them, then they will have themselves to blame. Remember, they have every opportunity now to rewrite their destinies.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the Somali youth are facing a tremendous challenge of trying to adapt to a different culture while still maintaing their cultural hertiage. If the majority of the Somali are living in poverty and therefore resorting back to criminal behavior there ought to be more financial support or programs to assit in their recovery and adaptation to the American cuture. Although, it must be added that government alone cannot reinforce the "right" behvaior--Somalian youth must make a choice to live right and financial support and assisting programs in the U.S can only but help them on their journey.
ReplyDeleteThe sex trade is a trade that must be stopped. In COUN 604, student gave a presentation on the horrors of this billion dollar industry. One way that was mentioned that can help in the prevention of children being forced into this life is to sponsor a child. World Vision and Compassion International are two organizations that match child with sponsors. If a child is sponsored, it provides them with education, clothes and support so that their families will not have to "sell" them into slavery since they can't support them.
ReplyDeleteWe can't prevent all children from the horrors of this sinful world, but in my Bible study this year I was reminded that although I might not be able to change the world, I can change the life of one. Spending 35 dollars a month to change the life of one child is something that can be done, even by poor college students. Please consider sponsoring a child.
Yeah I definitely read several articles and studied human sex trafficking because it interested me greatly. It is a sad shame that these women are brought into this business both willingly and unwillingly. Many families feel as though it is their last means of providing for survival, while others are tricked into thinking it can make life better. It is all a disillusion that not only tears down the society, and self-worth, but also the image of God.
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