Our Children - Our Responsibilities walks the reader through the social, psychological and theological dynamics and rationale for a step-by-step whole systems change model designed to address issues plaguing the African American community and youth gravitating to gang environments. Drawing upon an expansive audience of scholars and practitioners to support its propositions, the book moves away from talking about the problems to conveying a well designed multi-disciplinary and detailed change strategy. It challenges traditional beliefs, praxes and strategies that typically start with a focus on youth as the central point and boldly addresses the multitude of inter-related issues that plague the African American community. The model is expanded to a global context, which is a critical perspective since every continent has a gang problem and/or community-based issues that give rise to youth gravitating to gangs.
«Christopher Anne Robinson-Easley takes us on a journey in her expansive guide through the deep change necessary to save our children. Unlike most writing on the subject of gangs, her book never slips into that repetitively negative and hopeless portrayal of our children. Instead she takes the route of compassion, value and vision that is characteristic of the approach to larger group and systems change that she describes here - Appreciative Inquiry. The road we travel through her book takes us through libraries and public housing projects, classrooms and churches. And she parallels her intellectual treatise with her personal journey, showing that what she has learned as she strives to lead huge change initiatives is drawn from, and reflected in, her own life. Whether you are a theologian or pastor, advocate or teacher, experienced leader or novice, this book will give you a broad perspective of the real work of change, and specific guides to probing questions which will take your change efforts into the hearts and souls of those who want to change.» (Cynthia L. Tate, PhD, Psychologist and child welfare professional)