If one searches the key word, “resiliency” many elaborate definitions will be found. However, resiliency boils down to the ability to bounce back after some perceived stress or trauma. This can be of an acute or chronic nature. The various acute forms clearly defined using the keyword. My interest lies in the chronic form of stress-trauma.

 CHRONIC STRESS-TRAUMA

I see chronic stress-trauma beginning as early as infancy where a child can be over or under protected; in both cases symptoms have similarities because as the child grows and has to deal with interpersonal relationships, school demands and the demands of the community. Both may find temporary resolution through withdrawal, passivity or over aggressiveness, anger, disobedience, stealing, bullying, or violence, their resiliency functions only by following the path of least resistance. The problems get worst when they see themselves as victims and others as perpetrators from a psychoanalytic aspect the issues begin with feelings of insecurity and inferiority and then feelings of guilt. Dr Samuel Kahn, a psychiatrist and analyst refer to these 3 mental mechanisms as The Unholy Trinity.

It doesn’t stop here! SOCIAL RESILIENCY

As in all societies there are “Givers and Takers”. It is indeed wonderful for a society to develop a welfare system but when that system cares for generations of same family units these people become takers. The Unholy trinity is still operational. When any unit of society feels guilty or is made to feel guilty over a period of time the end result is that unit of society be it a group or individual will hate the “Giver” Therefore, it is imperative that a formula for “PAYBACK” be legislated. This should reduce guilt, insecurity and inferiority and produce a happier, more optimistic individual or unit of society who’s Resiliency will improve and provide a greater loyalty to family, community and nation.

It doesn’t stop here! ANTI-SOCIAL RESILIENCY

Our jails and prison are filled. Our prison population consists primarily of black people and within that prison society they have found power and established an echeloned social order. Make no mistake, many of these school drop outs have suddenly found their intelligence albeit negative it is a form of resiliency they have never known in some even their speech has taken on an educated affect. Other societies also develop within prison walls and are ultimately displaced outside those walls. On a personal note many decades ago I was a consultant at Trenton State Prison where I noted many black prisoners had large hematomas on their foreheads, of course, I inquired and found these were new Muslim converts who prayed to Mecca with forehead to the ground for hours producing this hematoma; this was also a protective shield against other gangs, and what I refer to as a negative resiliency. When members of these gangs leave prison they were welcomed to safe houses where a new society exists with new rules and regulations including initiation rites. These initiation rites are needed to extract loyalty and insure it. These rites may go so far as committing murder.

CONCLUDING STATEMENT

In this paper I have tried to show the various levels of resiliency and how gangs develop. I must add that now that gangs know the power and success of the Iraqi insurgents against a large well trained military force their resiliency and resolve will send them coalescing with other gangs forming a state within a state. The Europeans with their Muslim populations may be even more vulnerable. I am sure this paper is open to a great deal of criticism, as it should be, however if it leads to a better understanding of these issues then I would, indeed be profoundly grateful.

M. REBY, M.D. Diplomate
American Board of Psychiatry-Neurology

e-mail: charlreeb@optonline