His first book has made an impression with anyone wanting to
know how to divert young black people from joining street gangs and now the
author Emeka Egbuonu is available for interview to explain more about his
incredible work.
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| Emeka Egbuonu |
Stirred into action after the riots across England last
summer, Emeka wrote a book which explains why gang culture is on the rise and
details how those gangs lead young people into danger and bring about community
division, fear and deep distrust.
Emeka said: "I began working as a youth worker after
seeing teenagers making the same mistakes I had in fighting others for no real
reason. I developed a programme of seminars called Consequences, which is where
the book gets its name.
“So instead of just saying “Don’t do drugs,” or “Don’t do
guns,” we look at the barriers stopping young people from achieving certain
things in their life. The book looks at the impact of broken homes, peer
pressure and the negative and positive effects that can have.
“More importantly, the book focuses on why young people
don’t realise they are a victim and why that lack of realisation is happening
on a daily basis.”
His self-published book 'Consequences - Breaking the negative
cycle' is selling well on various outlets including Amazon.
It has also had some very impressive reviews including
Professor David Wilson, Britain’s leading criminologist, who says: "Emeka
Egbuonu's 'Consequences - Breaking the Negative Cycle' fills a criminological
gap, and brings fresh insight into what we all should be doing in the wake of
the English riots to help young people bridge the gap between school and a
law-abiding adulthood. This inspiring book is a must read."
Emeka has worked with hundreds of young people in the London
borough of Hackney, mainly in groups of between 10 and 15. From each group, he
reckons that around eight will approach him afterwards wanting to learn more.
And, more impressively, almost all of those young people he
has worked with constantly are now in college and looking at leading fulfilling
lives.
Emeka identifies a range of factors in the underachievement
of young black men including a slavish devotion to musicians or sports stars as
role models, set against a lack of ambition in more achievable arenas.
He also points out the huge risk of being groomed for gangs
at a vulnerable age when youngsters want instant financial gratification and
they soon find that selling drugs is a way to get it.
Emeka said: "The book isn’t about pointing the finger –
it’s about making people realise they can change their lives.
“Consequences discusses some very uncomfortable truths about
the black community in an open manner. We need to talk about the lack of male
role models in families and why tough prison sentences will not resolve the
crime issues.
“Essentially the book revolves around the fact that we must
work with various agencies, including the police, but that we – as a black
community - need to do it on our terms and make the necessary changes from
within our community."
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