Peace in the Hood: Working with Gang Members to End the Violence

Peace In the Hood evokes the reality of gangland warfare but also acknowledges the possibility of peace. Written by Basheer, a pioneer of the interventionist movement, it documents the lessons he learned from over 40 years of working in inner cities.

This book is designed to teach anyone how to be an interventionist, offering clear guidelines on the necessities of intervention work, including understanding the gang mindset, learning how to evaluate rumors for truth, and convincing young people to leave gangs. Each chapter deals with one key aspect of peacemaking, and the advice comes with anecdotes from Basheer's own life.

Peace In the Hood includes real-life accounts of Basheer's interactions with gang members offering unique insight into gang culture. Its descriptions of the fairly new field of peacekeeping and intervention with its mix of story and advice make it both a perfect tool for students and teachers who study social justice and anyone simply looking for a fascinating read. Being the first book to offer a detailed description of the process of making peace within gangs, it's a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of gangs and the efforts to make peace within them.


Author: Aquil Basheer, Christina Hoag
Publisher: Hunter House Publishers
Published: 07/08/2014
Pages: 192
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.10h x 7.40w x 0.60d
ISBN13: 9780897937047
ISBN10: 089793704X
BISAC Categories:
- Social Science | Violence in Society
- Education | Violence & Harassment
- Social Science | Sociology | Urban

About the Author
Aquil Basheer is a foremost expert and pioneer in the field of street violence intervention. He founded and operates the Professional Community Intervention Training Institute (PCITI), the nation's only 18-week gang interventionist training and personal development academy. He has also served as as an anti-violence consultant in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The subject of articles in the Los Angeles Times and other major media, Basheer lives in Moreno Valley, CA. Christina Hoag is a journalist who has reported on social and political issues in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean for Time, BusinessWeek, The New York Times, and more. Most recently an urban affairs reporter for The Associated Press in Los Angeles, Hoag lives in Santa Monica, CA. Pete Carroll is the coach for the Seattle Seahawks and lives in Seattle.