Just outside the playground of old Shaw Junior High is a fresh memorial to a young student. His death was determined to have been a homicide by an unknown killer. And, there is a large reward for information about the incident.
As a parent, I am of the opinion that losing a child to such a violent death and with unknown circumstances must be the worst of all possible human experiences.
Growing up surrounded by gang activity and extreme hostility has been linked to a cycle of crime against persons. It is difficult to break the cycle of violence.
What is the connection, if any, to homelessness?
We all participated in a "homelessness simulation" at the Steinbruck Center. Although it was clearly a simulation, it was a game that was impossible to win. And, at the end of the simulation, everyone felt frustrated. Some of the post-simulation questions were the following:
In the context of the simulation, did you resort to violence just to get a meal for your family? Would you lie, cheat, steal, deal drugs, or resort to prostitution?
The group was composed of ethically sound and competent nurses and a group of undergraduate students from Minot State University who were part of a campus youth ministry team.
In discussing feelings and frustrations with the simulation, students freely admitted that they would lie or cheat to get enough money to feed their family.
Does homelessness feed violence?
What do you think?
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