They trust neither the authorities, their friends, or, in many cases, their own instincts, becoming kind of spiritual nomads with no one to turn to, often not even themselves. Moreover, the institutions which are presumably there to serve the children have remained silent or paralyzed amidst this brutality. The police in their reactive position have become detached from the very people they're meant to protect. The schools provide little or no counseling for children who so desperately need to talk about and assimilate their jarring experiences. Public officials, frazzled by what they see as warlike conditions, have considered calling in the national guard or suspending indivuals' fourth amendment rights, ordering mass searches for weapons in public housing developments.
Innovative efforts abound.
A Pittsburgh nonprofit housing group, in addition to building new homes, has also provided after-school programs, published a community newspaper, bought a radio station, and enticed new businesses into the area. In Chicago, efforts are underway to open a dormitory for children in one south side neighborhood in conjuction with job-training programs for their parents. There are also tenant councils in public housing. Active and engaged churches. Schools open well into the evenings to privide health care, counseling, and after-school activities.