VOICES: THE VILLAGE IS BURNING BY KIM YOUNG, LCSW

The estimated youth population in Richmond hovers around 41,000, of that 41,000 Black youth make up more than half of the total youth population in the city.¹. In FY 2019, Black youth comprised 87.9% of intake cases with the juvenile court, 95.7% of youth on probation,², and 55.4% of students who did not graduate from high school.³. THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

Black youth in Richmond primarily live in overly policed communities and account for the vast majority of police interactions for status offenses, which are acts considered violations of the law due to age (i.e. curfew, truancy, running away, etc.). The most recent available data from
the Virginia Department of Health in 2017, showed that 81% of hospitalizations due to gun-related non-fatal injuries were Black people, and 43% were between 15-24 years old. THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

Since 2016, Black youth ages 18 years old and younger have made up 100% of youth fatalities due to gun violence.⁴. THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

I have worked as a social worker in various capacities in Richmond since 2013 and have spent the last decade joyfully working alongside at promise youth, families, and communities. Before moving upstream, away from direct services, I spent three and a half years supporting court-impacted youth and families. My career focus shifted when I asked one of my 16-year old clients what he planned to do over the summer. His response was “I’m just trying to stay out the way and not get shot.” THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

I had the worst year of my career in 2018 where I experienced the loss of three young people, one was the same kid who was “trying to stay out the way and not get shot.” As a social worker on the frontlines, I have witnessed educational, juvenile legal, healthcare, social services, and behavioral health system failures. All of them have failed Black youth who are pushed towards the deep end of these systems. THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

I have witnessed apathy lead to a failure to act. I have seen ego create barriers and prevent progress. I have experienced the dangers of maintaining status quo. I have watched the misuse of power cost someone housing, jobs, freedom or a future. I have seen the worst in people who were placed in positions to make decisions that could literally change and or save a Black youth’s life.

THIS IS NOT NORMAL, and I refuse to accept these conditions as such. This is what happens when Black futures are consistently devalued and defunded. Black youth deserve to dream. Black youth deserve to believe. Black youth deserve love. Black youth deserve the absolute best from Richmond.

We often hear the appropriated African proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child” however attention is rarely given to “the child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” The village is burning. Richmond is burning.

Kim Young is a licensed clinical social worker in Richmond Virginia and owner of Dope Black Social Worker, LLC.

1. Kids Count Data Center
2. Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice Court Service Unit Data Resource Guide  
3. Virginia Department of Education
4. Richmond Police Department Major Crimes Unit