The narrative ‘Out of the Red’ depicts a heart-wrenching story of a person’s fight against the harsh preconceptions of poverty, discrimination, and violence, which eventually makes him a victim of street gangs (Bolden,1). This article focuses on investigating the central character, analyzing the key factors that allows him to move above and beyond the criminal way of life, the origins of the delinquent behavior, the protective and risk factors in the character’s life, and proposing the research-based programs of early intervention that may have led to a different outcome. Through the stories of the fictional courageous characters created by the author, we can perceive gang membership as a highly complex issue and the number of chances for hard-won reformation available even under tremendous pressure.
Background of the Individual
The early years of Bolden’s life were characterized by poverty, discrimination, and failure to receive adequate support from the public education system. Troubled by the challenges mentioned, he felt that he was forced to take a rookie part in the street gangs at an early age, as noted by (Bolden, 1). However, serving prison time coincided with the growth of prisons in Texas, making it harder for the teenage former gangster to survive in the adult prison (Bolden, 1). The story is laid against the background of mass imprisonment and the influence of the prison gangs on the youth, such as Bolden.
Rise Above Crime, Delinquency, and Gang
Bolden’s path from childhood was stained with poverty, discrimination, and violence at high school. Transitioning to street gangs at the age of fourteen becomes truly sensational and vividly reveals the social forces that mold an individual’s life (Deuchar,2). The appeal of the Bloods, which gives you a feeling of being a family member, protection, adrenaline, and power, fills the gap when trouble occurs. The character’s imprisonment while the Texas prison boom happened leads him to battle for survival in the dangerous world of an adult prison. Despite obstacles, however, he manages to navigate a track to recovery using education, and the chances are endless for the previously imprisoned ex-gang member. This story tells us that someone’s decisions can refute the myth of crime and imprisonment being something you cannot escape. It shows that education is a significant factor in overcoming this pattern.
Understanding Origins of Delinquent Behavior
Bolden’s delinquent behavior as a youngster resulted from several things linked to his environment. Mainly, four factors can be listed as: family background, socioeconomic factors, peer group influences, and institutional discrimination. Bolden grew up in poverty, which immensely affected his life choices. He had to take limited opportunities since and lacked positive role models, which helped him to get lured into the gang culture (Kelly, 3). The socioeconomic problems created a situation where crime seemed like a good choice, considering that other options appeared unrealistic for survival. The mere fact of mixing with his peers who were gang members constituted to a significant factor that helped shape Bolden’s life of delinquency. Furthermore, the discrimination by the institution, which is manifested through the shortfall of the public education system, widened his chances for a rosy future.
Protective and Risk Factors
Being exposed to protective influences, a massive difference was made in Bolden’s recovery from rehab. Despite an unstable upbringing, he derived power through education, which eventually directed him toward a better transformation, making education a buffer that curved the impact of the adverse circumstances as highlighted by (Bolden, 1). This was possible through the guidance of positive role models, such as educators and mentors, who led him to overcome the challenges. Family support was considered as another factor shielding him from different hardships.
While Bolden had plenty of risk factors, he also had several protective factors. Poverty stemming from lack of parental care, exposure to violence, and discrimination instigated by institutions increased the challenges he confronted (Bolden, 1). By default, the risk factors created a favorable environment within which he could start delinquent behavior associated with the notorious street gangs. One of the most critical aspects of this issue is to acquire knowledge about these risk factors that are of great value for creating effective intervention strategies to combat the problems of crime and violence in our society.
Research-Based Early Intervention Programs
Research-based early intervention programs serve as essential platforms for determining ways of preventing or addressing gang involvement (Kelly, 3). Two programs, namely, the Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach and the mentoring programs, are described in Chapter 9 of the course textbook.
Contrary to the prevailing approach, which centers on identifying and treating the weaknesses in young individuals, PYD takes a different approach, which appreciates and amplifies the strengths in a young person, promotes resilience, and fosters positive relationships. Implementing Personal and Leadership Development (PYD) in the community or school surroundings could include mentoring schemes, additional non-educational activities, and projects whose main focuses are personal growth, belief in oneself, and engagement in working as a community. This strategy is the crucial point that mirrors Bolden’s brave life change, in which education and a positive environment contributed significantly to his transformation.
Another intervention in mentoring programs is bringing people into contact with positive role models who mentor and inspire their mentees (Deuchar, 2). In Bolden’s situation, for example, mentors ought to have been there during his teenage years, giving him another way out apart from gangs and focusing on the future. Such programs can be implemented in community or school setups through local collaboration between community organizations, learning institutions, and community leaders.
Utilization of Sources
Research-based early intervention programs, whose complexity is threefold, are one of the main approaches on the way to combat gang involvement and delinquency. Educational and community-focused interventions regarding “Out of the Red” align with the continuing storyline since they are understood as the core of any transformation agenda (Deuchar,2). A powerful program that might be useful is a mentorship program that would bring at-risk kids in close contact with positive role models, giving them advice and support and creating a feeling of possessing a sense of belonging outside the gang environment. Furthermore, an educational program suited to the community, through which vulnerable populations will be provided valuable materials and support, could have a vital role in prevention and intervention.
To sum up, within the pages of his book, Bolden’s biography from being poor and having engaged in gangs is the most potent narrative, advocating for the need to see the human part of individuals when studying gangs. This narrative signifies the role of societal conditions, individual decisions, and the contribution of protective and dangerous factors in determining the life’s course of a person under eighteen. In the exploration process, we learn the most about the personal characteristics contributing to people escaping crime, the underlying reasons for criminal behavior, and the integration of strengths and risk factors. We reflect on Bolden’s story, and we can easily understand that prevention or intervention based on research and early intervention programs can change this situation radically. These initiatives will help those struggling with similar conditions to see a brighter future and a way out of the life that Bolden and his group have experienced.
References
- Bolden, C. L. (2020). Out of the Red: My life of Gangs, Prison and Redemption. Google Books. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=DuWCEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=example,%C2%A0Out+of+the+Red:+My+Life+of+Gangs,+Prison,+and+Redemption)&ots=rUTIHexgsK&sig=eEHhYe-UpxJrSngebWPHPbw1APQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=example%2C%C2%A0Out%20of%20the%20Red%3A%20My%20Life%20of%20Gangs%2C%20Prison%2C%20and%20Redemption)&f=false
- Deuchar, R., & McLean, R. (2021). Gangs, Drugs, and Youth Adversity. Policy Press. https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/monochap/book/9781529210576/ch003.xml
- Kelly, J. F. (2018). Narratives of gang resistance amongst former gang members. Uct.ac.za. https://open.uct.ac.za/handle/11427/29549
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