Oppression in the form of systematic violence against underprivileged communities causes individuals to live in perpetual fear of unprovoked and random attacks against them or their property. Some random attacks lack definite motives but cause destruction of property and humiliation of individuals from disadvantaged societies. Violence perpetrated against disadvantaged groups is widespread and takes various forms.
In some parts of the American community, lesbians and gay men endure homophobic violence that may be physical or verbal in nature. Arabs, Asians, and Black Americans endure racial attacks that are committed in a similar manner. In other parts of America, Latinos, Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, and Jews endure violence initiated by xenophobic tendencies.
American society is not isolated in terms of violence meted out against underprivileged groups. In India, men subject women of lower caste to unmentionable torture and cases of women raped and killed in the nation are high. Underprivileged groups endure frequent physical violence, and the black community has experienced most of the violence.
Law enforcement officers perpetrate some of the violence against innocent members of the Black American community. Police officers have maimed, raped, or killed several Black Americans. The recent killing of Michael Brown, a black teenager in Ferguson, encapsulates the conflict that subtly exists between members of the Black American community and the predominantly Caucasian law enforcement agencies in America.
Most of the police officers indicted of committing crimes against Black Americans are set free or given lenient jail terms and this further complicates the relationship between the law enforcement officers and members of the Black American community. Such tendencies in violence between Americans of different religious, political, racial, or socioeconomic backgrounds is detrimental to the peace and development of the United States.
For instance, the acquittal of the police officer accused of killing Brown sparked mass protests against the court ruling and enemies of America can use such opportunity seeds of terror within the society. Terrorists and drug dealers can use the confusion that arises during the protests to evade surveillance and cause havoc or sell drugs.
During the riots, business owners close their premises for fear of looting, and this causes losses in revenue generation. Employees working under contract suffer due to such riots since they cannot work and therefore cannot earn their wages. Consequently, American society needs to address the conflicts that exist between various religious, political, and racial groups.
Teenagers imitate the interactions they see between their parents and other people in society. Cases of gun-related violence perpetrated by teenagers have increased steadily in the recent past due to the failures of the social institution within America. Although members of different ethnic backgrounds perpetrate violence towards other racial groups, parents are also blamed for violent conduct against their children.
Children respond to ill-treatment from their parents by being violent to other children in learning institutions. Such a vicious cycle of violence within American society is unstable and detrimental to the future of the nation. Consequently, organizations such as Union Gospel Mission have an important role in ensuring that the American society eliminates moral decadence and violent activities.
The Union Gospel Mission can collaborate with other independent organizations to spread the word on the importance of harmonious coexistence within the society.
UMG offers psychological and social support to members of the society through offering lessons in domestic violence education, anger management, and life skills. Union Gospel Mission also gives shelter and food to individuals exposed to violence within their society. Such support enables members of the society to enhance their interactions for the development of their community.