Coming Together to Stop Youth Violence

Hand drawn sign welcoming participants

In 2004 the first Youth Stopping Violence Summit was created as a response to the death of a 15-year old Khmu youth, Chan Boonkeut, who was shot and killed at her home in San Pablo, CA, on October 13, 2003, by youth members of a Southeast Asian gang. This tragedy galvanized the community, resulting in efforts to organize the community, including youth, engaging them in discussions and planning towards the goal of violence prevention. Out of this tragedy SEAYL was created and we have continued to organize the Youth Stopping Violence Summit every year since then. In recent years the summit has grown and evolved, reaching outside of West Contra Costa County, and outside of the Southeast Asian communities, to promote cultural diversity and unity.

Volunteers from UC Berkeley's Southeast Asian Students Assoc.

The 2011 Youth Against Violence Summit was held in the Lovonya DeJean Middle School in Richmond, CA. The conference held workshops hosted by various non profits groups  and youth leaders. Workshops such as using "Art as Expression", "Social Media"and "How to Handle Conflicts Non Violently" gave participants the tools for addressing violence within themselves and with others, as well as using expressions such as art to safely channel their emotions.

A young woman's response to her access to information regarding her culture

Throughout the event, various speakers took center stage to discuss the impact of violence, offer words of inspiration and provide reflection on a community working towards peace.  The first speaker, Alejandro Viches, spoke of the need to rise above violence and better oneself to have a positive future that can lead to a violence-free community. Another speaker was SEAYL’s own Tai Greer, who became a member of the SEAYL and BEATZ program after being put on probation. The program helped Tai change his life around, and he shared his positive and inspirational words with the youth members attending the conference.

SEAYL members performing

The highlight of the event were the performances led by SEAYL members. There were hip hop and singing performances by Tai and a young woman named Sade, as well as other performers. At the end of the conference, youth rushed on stage to have freestyle breakdancing, where the stage was open to anyone who wanted show off their moves. The spirit of the conference really shone through as young men and women came together to circle around as one by one, they stepped forward to pose, hold and step.  The performance ended with the SEAYL group performance. Through rhyming and rapping, three young men closed off the day by showing everyone that artistic expression can be a means to help end violence and empower young people. The audience was up and cheering and the atmosphere ended with a lively and unified atmosphere.

Bboying on stage

Youth violence in our communities is and has been a pressing issue in the United States for years, initiatives like SEAYL and BEATZ are providing opportunities to young people who often have no positive alternatives or influences in their lives.  The Youth Stopping Violence Conference began because of tragedy but has continued to hold a space for the community to come together, learn, celebrate and have the space to express themselves. May the young men and women involved in this conference move to continue striving for a brighter future for themselves and their communities. 

SEAYL youth group picture at the end of the conf.

Too see more photos from the Summit go here. 

Photographs by S. Nadia Hussain

Posted by S. Nadia Hussain