Gun violence in Jane and Finch: Unpacking the Systemic Factors that Perpetuate Violence

While optimal social infrastructure, the extermination of discriminatory policies, and effective community resources can bring meaningful change. The healing the soul yearns for can only be provided through faith. For this reason, faith holds a pivotal key in the healing in the Jane-Finch community. Religious teachings, values, and ethical principles provide a strong foundation for promoting social justice, peace, and non-violence within the community. To begin, Hinduism, with its core teaching of ahimsa paramo dharma: “Non-violence is the supreme religion” (Mahabharata, 12.257.6.), emphasizes the sacredness of all life and the high emphasis Hinduism places on non-maleficence¹⁸. The belief in Atman, the individual soul – the eternal and spiritual essence within oneself and every creature, reinforces the principle of non-violence, as harming others means harming the divine essence present within them¹⁹. Moreover, Hinduism’s concept of Brahman as the ultimate reality, the unchanging, eternal, and all-pervading cosmic force that underlies and sustains the entire universe forms the philosophical basis for the principle of non-violence in Hinduism¹⁹. Since every creature is imbued with the divine energy of Brahman, harming any living being is equivalent to harming the divine itself (The Bhagavad Gita, 2.21)²⁰. This idea extends to the belief that all life is sacred and should be treated with reverence and respect, as all beings are interconnected¹⁹. Hinduism’s emphasis on karma and rebirth further reinforces the idea of responsibility and accountability for one’s actions, cultivating an attitude of compassion and respect towards all living beings ⁽¹⁹⁾.

Islam’s teaching on the sacredness of human life, as the spirit of Allah resides within everyone, underscores the inherent value and dignity of every human being (Quran 15:29)²¹. Further, the Quran states that saving a life is akin to saving the life of the whole people which emphasizes the sanctity of life and the imperative to protect it (Quran 5:32)²¹. In terms of social justice, and the promotion of social unity and peace – the Quran encourages Muslims to give to the needy and forgive others, as Allah is merciful (Quran 24:22)²¹. Moreover, cycles of violence are fueled by vengeance, and without mercy there is no remediation, the Quran teaches Muslims to repel evil through good as a means of reconciliation (Quran 41:34)²¹. Finally, the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) serves as a model for Muslims to follow¹⁹. Throughout his life, the Prophet demonstrated mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, even in challenging situations¹⁹. He promoted peaceful resolutions to conflicts and prioritized reconciliation over revenge¹⁹.

Christianity, exemplified by Jesus’ teachings and actions, emphasizes the importance of non-violence and forgiveness. Jesus’ refusal to resist his captors and his healing of the ear of his attacker highlight the power of love and compassion in the face of violence (John 18:10)²². Moreover, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44)²². This principle of love extends to all, regardless of their beliefs or actions, and encourages Christians to respond to hostility with kindness and understanding¹⁹. Additionally, the Bible states that humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) illustrating the inherent worth, dignity, and sacred value of each individual; consequently, this forms the bedrock for valuing and preserving life, discouraging violence, and promoting peaceful coexistence¹⁹. Finally, the epitome of Christian belief revolves around the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – in the crucifixion we see Jesus willingly stepping into suffering and death on the cross as an ultimate act of love and redemption for humanity. His sacrifice is seen as a powerful example of reconciliation, self-sacrifice, and forgiveness.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of Jane-Finch and its high rate of violent crime, investigating the structural roots are critical. Firstly, the division of income inequality results in disparities in access to resources, opportunities, and overall quality of life²³. In Jane-Finch, income inequality is glaring, and it fosters a sense of social disorganization and mistrust⁵. This aligns with the Social Disorganization Theory, suggesting that communities with pronounced wealth divides are more likely to experience higher crime rates²³. The economic gap in such areas can lead to a lack of social cohesion, limited social capital, and reduced collective efficacy²³. As a result, residents may feel disconnected from the broader community, ultimately contributing to the prevalence of crime²³. Moreover, the link between income inequality and violent crime lies in the desperation that can arise from limited employment opportunities²⁴. When social cohesion is low and employment is limited – people are more likely to pursue illicit ways of making money²⁴. Conversely, in settings where social cooperation and cohesion are more prevalent, a surplus of resources can emerge, reducing the need for exploitation²⁴. Addressing income inequality and increasing social mobility are vital steps in achieving a high cooperation, high trust equilibrium thereby lowering rates of violent crime²⁴. While punitive measures against crime can have limited effectiveness, allowing economic equity and social mobility can significantly contribute to reducing violent crime rates.

Youth employment plays a pivotal role in the lives of young individuals, offering not only financial security but also a sense of purpose, direction, and identity. Recent surveys conducted by the Prince’s Trust in Britain have provided insights into the concerns of the youth²⁵. A shocking statistic, 75%, of youth believes that their generation faces greater uncertainty about future employment compared to their parents²⁵. Furthermore, 53% of them harbour concerns about their financial stability, while over a quarter express fears of failure²⁵. This pessimistic outlook is often fueled by perceptions that the available jobs are “unrewarding, low-paid, and boring”²⁵. In such an environment, opportunities for generating income through illicit means can appear more straightforward and attractive than those offered by the job market²⁵. The issue of youth employment can be analyzed through the lens of Robert K. Merton’s Strain Theory, which postulates that when individuals, particularly young people, encounter obstacles in achieving socially approved goals like stable employment – they may resort to unconventional means, including criminal activities, to attain these goals or alleviate their mounting frustration²⁶. In the context of Jane-Finch, where stable employment opportunities are limited, and a prevailing sense of hopelessness among the youth is evident, there exists a higher propensity for them to engage in income-generating crimes such as theft or drug-related activities. This connection underscores the critical importance of addressing youth unemployment as a means to mitigate these social challenges and provide young individuals with legitimate avenues for personal and economic growth.

Systemic racism is deeply entrenched in Canadian institutions, as emphasized by Critical Race Theory. It asserts that racism is not solely a matter of individual prejudice but is ingrained in society’s structures and policies²⁷. Systemic racism operates in an interconnected and cumulative manner, with each institution influencing and exacerbating the others²⁷. This interplay extends to sectors such as education, healthcare, social services, and housing, ultimately contributing to the underlying factors that drive criminal activity²⁷. Furthermore, racial inequities in health are aggravated by capitalism, which has historically exploited people of colour²⁸. This racial capitalism disproportionately exposes communities of color to environmental hazards, inadequate funding for essential resources like schools and parks, limited access to healthy food, and insufficient healthcare services²⁸. Essentially, racial capitalism serves as a form of structural violence that reinforces social determinants of health inequities²⁸. For example, over the past 50 years, Black children and families have been overrepresented in the child welfare system, experiencing worse outcomes than their white counterparts²⁸. This includes a higher likelihood of separation from their families and placement in foster care, along with lower chances of reunification with their biological parents²⁸. Additionally, the presence of law enforcement in schools has normalized the school-to-prison pipeline, resulting in the disproportionate arrest of Black students²⁸. Student arrests are associated with increased risks of continued contact with law enforcement, lower high school graduation rates, and reduced employment opportunities²⁸. These short- and long-term consequences undermine the health and well-being of Black youth and families²⁸.

In the context of law enforcement, systemic racism manifests in racial profiling, disproportionate stops, and excessive searches primarily targeting Black and Indigenous individuals²⁹. Additionally, racialized communities face barriers to accessing essential services related to mental health, addictions, poverty, and homelessness – subsequently leading to crises that necessitate police intervention²⁹. During my interview with Benjamin Osei – he highlights a similar experience, where four Black youth were arrested and taken to a police station while riding a bicycle in the neighbourhood. Instead of investigating the situation or questioning the youth, the police officers assumed the bicycles were stolen, resulting in permanent criminal records for the youth. These discriminatory actions perpetuate feelings of injustice and further erode trust between the community and law enforcement.

Affordable housing is of paramount importance – serving as the foundational platform upon which people construct their emotional, financial, and physical well-being. In examining the connection between housing and crime rates, the Right to Buy (RTB) policy in the UK provides insightful evidence³⁰. RTB allowed tenants in publicly owned housing to purchase their rental homes at highly subsidized prices, with the aim of increasing long-term homeownership rates³⁰. Remarkably, the implementation of this policy led to substantial shifts in housing tenures, which, in turn, resulted in enduring reductions in property crime rates within affected communities³⁰. This decrease in crime was predominantly driven by behavioral changes among local residents, emphasizing the community-level impact of housing policy changes³⁰. The RTB policy illustrates that homeowners exhibit greater neighborhood activism and community attachment as they face higher transaction costs related to moving and possess a deeper connection to their neighborhoods compared to renters – thereby, homeownership lowers the crime rate^30-31. In Jane-Finch – most residents are tenants, and subsequently have a lesser impetus towards community wellbeing, when compared to communities with higher homeownership rates^30-31.

Moreover, in Jane-Finch, many residents contend with poor-quality housing, which engenders chronic stress related to their living conditions³². This stress can manifest in concerns about safety and health hazards, as well as the often burdensome process of engaging with landlords or maintenance teams to address these issues^31-32. Moreover, housing quality serves as an important marker of social status, and living in substandard conditions can carry significant stigmatization and isolation^31-32. Research has shown that individuals residing in neighborhoods characterized by a subpar built environment, including housing, are substantially more likely to report lifetime depression compared to those residing in better-built environments^31-32. For instance, residents in poorly maintained buildings may grapple with worries about mold, pest infestations, or safety hazards, all of which can accumulate over time, leading to detrimental effects on their mental health^31-32. Hence, the shortage of affordable, high-quality housing perpetuates persistent stress arising from financial strain and chronic health conditions, thereby exacerbating the prevalence of violent crime^31-32.

The relationship between firearm involvement and the opioid crisis is multifaceted – research published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence reveals that over half of opioid users reported being present during gun-related incidents, while approximately one-third of opioid users either owned guns, carried guns, or had been shot at³³. The data indicated that opioid-dependent individuals were significantly more likely to carry guns for personal protection, be victims of gun violence, and have gun-related arrests compared to their alcohol-dependent counterparts³³. Opioid users who are male, a person of color, experiencing homelessness, and have a history of incarceration were all associated with increased involvement with firearms³³.

Additionally, the Economic Motivation Model suggests that drug users may engage in income-generating crimes like robbery, burglary, and drug sales to finance their drug habits, leading to increased interactions with firearms³⁴. The Systemic Model proposes that the drug distribution system is intrinsically linked with violent crime through activities such as territorial disputes, assaults to collect debts, and robberies of dealers or buyers³⁴.To address this issue, drug treatment is a vital strategy in reducing both addiction and associated criminal activities³⁴. Research has consistently shown that treatment programs can effectively reduce drug use and crime among participants³⁴. For instance, long-term residential treatment programs have demonstrated significant reductions in drug use and predatory illegal activities following treatment³⁴. In summary, the connection between opioid dependence and firearm involvement is fueled by economic motivations, systemic violence within drug networks, and socioeconomic status. In conclusion, the research-based insights shed light on the systemic nature of issues like income inequality, systemic racism, and the opioid crisis. They emphasize that addressing these issues requires comprehensive strategies that go beyond law enforcement and encompass community building, mental health support, and economic opportunities. Moreover, the importance of faith-based values and teachings is vital in promoting social justice, peace, and non-violence. Faith provides a moral and ethical compass that encourages compassion, reconciliation, and a commitment to the well-being of all community members.