Menu

Post image 1
Post image 2
Post image 3
Post image 4
1 / 4
0

‘They just want to matter’: Swarming teens test community order

The Christian Science Monitor·The Christian Science Monitor·25 days ago
#75QOTvAn
Reading 0:00
15s threshold

For Cabriel Lewis, it was an “epic” teen takeover. When he was just 15, he joined tens of thousands of other teenagers to rush onto tiny Tybee Island, Georgia, a barrier island beach town with only one causeway road on and off. They were trying to take part in “Orange Crush,” a controversial, annual spring break beach bash here. Gridlock ensued, people were injured, ambulances got stuck, and mayhem ruled deep into the night. “It was a lot of fun,” says Mr. Lewis, now 18. “But I also feel lucky to have gotten off the island alive.” Why We Wrote This A rise in “teen takeovers” is highlighting young people’s need for safe spaces and connection. It is also prompting a shift from reactive policing to proactive engagement, including more teen-focused, supervised “third spaces” in communities. Unruly teen gatherings have long been an integral part of American culture (think “West Side Story,” or Halloween egg fights).…

Continue reading — create a free account

Join HashtagPLUS to read full articles, follow hashtags, vote, and join the conversation.

Read More