Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gang docu offers positive messages about peace, community.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
L.A. GANG WARS: THE PEACEMAKER follows gang intervention and prevention expert Malik Spellman as he works with gang members in Los Angeles to diffuse violent situations and help create safer communities. Spellman spends his evenings in South Central Los Angeles meeting with rival gang members in an attempt to mediate peace agreements and end the hostility between them. Every meeting puts his life at risk, but he stays committed to keeping kids safe and giving them a violence-free future.
Is It Any Good?
The series, which is produced by rapper Ice-T highlights the attitudes surrounding gang activity that must change in order to end the violence, including concerns about appearing weak, and the desire for violent retaliation against other gangs. It also reveals some of the ways gangs organize and interact.
Some of the resolutions that take place on camera seem a bit simplistic, and one has to wonder if the gang members being featured here are playing up for the cameras. But the show's messages about ending gun violence and the need for peace are very real.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about gang violence. What encourages young people to join gangs? Is gang violence is responsible for most violent crimes in the United States? Do you think Spellman can realistically end gang violence by simply talking to gang members? Why or why not?
Does the show feel authentic? How does a film crew affect people's behavior? Why would gang members agree to appear on camera?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 10, 2010
- Cast : Malik Spellman
- Network : A&E
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2020
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