Super Predatory Essay

For much of the history of the United States, men of color have continuously faced negative portrayals from the white dominated society, often through the use of negative stereotypes. However, it was not until the 1980s that negative portrayals of youths began to appear with academia and the government. Since the 80s, California police have steadily seen their power in poor urban areas grow with the passage of laws in order to combat the many gangs operating within its borders. Of the laws passed, none has been more influence than the California Criminal Street Gang Offenses and Enhancements Act. In short, the act states that if someone were to commit a crime while being related to gang activity, additional charges would be added in addition to the original crime. Additionally, police departments are given access to gang databases that are used to help identify (or misidentify) people that could be gang affiliated. Within academia, the negative portrayals could be traced to the Princeton Professor John Dilulio’s 1996 “Super Predator” thesis. Within this thesis, Dilulio argues that there is a new breed of juveniles had begun to emerge from society with what could only be described as an

unprecedented potential for violence (Rios, pg. 176). So, in order to combat these “Super predators”, rehabilitation and prevention must be pushed aside in order to punish them at the earliest point of their criminal behavior. And so, because of these two sources dictating how youths should be dealt, the system is now one of criminalization.
With all the challenges that these youths of color face from a system that has done nothing but to criminalize them, it is obvious that they would develop a method of resistance against that very same system.

Generally, these youths accomplish their resistance in two distinct categorizations. The first categorization of resistance is those that could be described as positive methods. In this method, youths of color engage in manner of resistance with a general foal in mind. If there is shooting of an unarmed man by police, the response is to hold a vigil and engage in protests. If the youth wish to express their grievances against the system, the response is to join a grassroots movement. This contrasts with the other category of resistance, the negative method of

resistance.
Unlike the positive methods of resistance, negative methods of resistance are not those of trying to change a system that has criminalized them, but to antagonize it. Generally, this is accomplished by actively making interactions with both police and school officials far more difficult than they need to be. One such method of resistance, is the act of going “hyphy” or pretending to be stupid. This strategy, as demonstrated by Darius, is generally used to subvert the racial expectations that police and teachers expect of the youths. In regards to teachers, Darius would first pretend to be stupid but would then give the correct answers during class participation. In regards to the police, Darius would first act belligerent but then act polite and respectful (Rios, pg.114). The other method that youths of color use is just simple defiance against the system, often using cursing and fighting back to accomplish their goal. If the youth can least make his arrest at least difficult for the police, it would be enough. But make no mistake in regards to this category. The reason why they are labeled as negative methods is because they are temporary acts of resistance that could be rationalized as punks or thugs just making. Unlike the former group, change is not the message but use meaningless strikes against the system.
In conclusion, the fear of the youth has always been an integral part of any culture or society, and the United States is no different. But as demonstrated, these girls and boys are just trying to find their way in the world. As such, the fear against them is an entirely unwarranted construct. They should be helped and not penalized for their act