We're Not a Gang, Huami explores the history of Greensboro youth organizations

by Herbert Sturdivant and Terri L. Watson

Aug. 9, 2008

[Huami Magazine (pronounced who-am-I), is a publication based in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad area.  Huami writer's Herbert Sturdivant and Terri L. Watson, published an article in the August/September issue of the magazine about "The Black Scorpions", a group of teenagers from Ray Warren Homes, who in the early 1980's organized themselves in the interest of making their neighborhoods safe, clean, and viable.  Portions of the article, 'We're Not a Gang' are reprinted below from the August/September issue of the magazine.  The BCC envisions building "beloved" community and in that effort seeks to acknowledge the efforts of those in our community who define themselves in authentic ways.  Recent meetings and discussions with local youth organizers and organizations that have been labeled under various definitions, but more specifically as "gangs" are door openers for the community to re-examine the ways in which the stories of the community are told.  ]

When Huami Magazine spoke with Greensboro mayor, Yvonne Johnson in January, she said that her city was in the process of developing programs to address the increase of gang violence and crimes associated with gang activity. Working with area colleges and community organizations, a “Think Tank” was organized to come up with ways to resolve the problem with youth criminal activity. She stated that in order to fix the problems with gangs, we must change their perception and way of thinking. Mayor Johnson’s beliefs are “if gang members become active in their community — such as lending a hand to help build homes with Habitat for Humanity — in return they will take ownership and develop a sense of accountability there.” This method could possibly become an effective tool to assist in subduing a problem that not only plagues our communities, but others across this nation alike.
Ironically, the idea of youth involving themselves in the community and contributing to its well being instead of its downfall isn’t something new. In 1982, a young man by the name of Tim Webster got a group of teenagers together, ages (16-19) in the Ray Warren community near Lee Street. They called themselves “The Black Scorpions”. These kids walked around their neighborhood after school, just as most teenagers do, looking for something to do. But nothing was in place for them — so they took matters into their own hands and created something themselves. In order to maintain your membership in the Scorpions, you couldn’t be a trouble maker or use drugs and alcohol.
The Black Scorpions were a creative and intelligent group of kids who wanted to help make their neighborhood safe and nourishing for everyone. They created activities and developed programs that allowed anyone who became interested to take a part. These programs included step teams, drill teams, and a martial arts program in which Dr. Cardes Brown of New Light Missionary Baptist Church, allowed them to practice in the church parking lot. 

[Read more of the official article in the attached .pdf document or visit Huami Magazine at www.huamimagazine.com]

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