Stop Acting Shocked When DC Youth Start Acting Out

Every time these teen takeovers happen in DC, folks get online and start screaming the same old thing.

Lock them up. Call the police. Put them on curfew. Make an example out of them!

But let’s be for real!

A lot of these young people ain’t just out here acting wild for no reason. Some of them bored. Some of them hurt. Some of them angry. Some of them ain’t got nowhere safe to go, nothing positive to do, and nobody really pouring into them unless they already in trouble.

And that’s the part DC don’t like to talk about!

We got money for everything else in this city. Luxury buildings going up. Stadium talks. Big development deals. Campaign money flowing. But when it comes to real youth programs, late night recreation, mentorship, mental health support, jobs, music, sports, arts, and safe spaces, suddenly everybody act broke.

That don’t sit right with me.

I’m not saying young people should be allowed to tear up the city. Nah. People deserve to feel safe. Businesses deserve respect. Communities deserve peace. But if the only answer we got is police, handcuffs, and jail, then we already failed them. You can’t punish your way out of neglect. These are our babies. Our sons. Our daughters. Our nieces, nephews, cousins, students, neighbors. And too many of them are moving like nobody expects anything better from them.

That’s why I believe we need real investment in our youth, not just speeches after something goes wrong.

That’s also why I proposed a Midnight Basketball League for DC youth ages 12 to 21. Not because basketball fixes everything, but because community saves lives. Structure saves lives. Mentors save lives. A safe place to go at night can change somebody’s whole direction.

Sometimes a young person don’t need another adult judging them. Sometimes they need somebody to say, “I see you. I believe in you. Pull up. Let’s build.” DC needs more places where young people can laugh, play, create, compete, talk, heal, and be seen before the streets get to them. We need rec centers open later. We need youth jobs. We need credible messengers. We need counselors. We need coaches. We need aunties, uncles, pastors, teachers, and community leaders stepping up for real.

And let me say this too. Some folks be loud about what youth shouldn’t do, but quiet when it’s time to volunteer, mentor, donate, coach, or show up!! We can’t keep abandoning young people and then act brand new when they act abandoned.

Accountability matters. Yes.

But accountability without opportunity is just punishment!

At Rising Voices of Politics, DC, we believe young people are not throwaways. They are not headlines. They are not problems to be managed. They are future leaders who need guidance, love, discipline, resources, and somebody willing to fight for them.

Because if DC really wants peace, then DC better invest in purpose.

If we want safer streets, we need stronger communities!

And if we want our youth to stop taking over the streets, then we better give them somewhere better to take their energy, their talent, and their future!!

Pastor Mike Campbell