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Introduction
In almost every single culture around the world there are cultural norms that people
engage in this is what gives the community expressiveness. The culture in Sante Fe is known as
an “art capitol” because the way in which they express themselves in that community is through
creative art. The number of art galleries and museums in that area alone number around two
hundred and forty, which is unheard of in most cultures. The problem doesn’t lie here, but in the
fact that the youth in the community feel as though their art has no significant impact. In the
words of the article, “Young people are so lost and so unseen and so uncared for and so
unnourished and so unnurtured that they turn to drugs and alcohol, domestic violence” (Miller).
The city of Sante Fe has therefore instituted actual walls for the youth to paint on and express
their art form in a creative way. This hopefully will allow the youth to feel more heard and since
it is not illegal to perform such acts, there will luckily be no consequence.
Youth Culture in Sante Fe
The youth culture of Sante Fe is grounded in art, and they long to express themselves in
this area. Since the city made graffiti legal the youth culture has therefore made this their “tribe”
(Miller). They so long to be accepted in the society, that they use graffiti as a way to show the
public their form of art, since the society has such a love of art, why can’t the youth share in this
also? This makes the norm of the youth as one of self-expression, imagination, and welcoming.
Even though graffiti is not illegal they are required by the law to be respectful in their paintings,
but sadly sometimes gangs, drugs, and violence also spread as a type of expression, and can give
the youth a bad reputation among the older population.
Culture norms demonstrated by the youth is mostly an effect that the older populations
have on the youth. Since Sante Fe was made the “art capitol” of the world the youth have no
other choice but to choose art as their expression if they want to be accepted, that’s what makes
the youth culture so focused around art.
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Strategies to Connect with the Youth in Fort Mercy Park
The strategies to effectively communicate with the youth of Fort Mercy Park would be
mostly through an attempt to dive into the creative culture of art they have there, and maybe use
this as an opportunity to hold special events centered around art and expression to draw the youth
in and then show them God and the work of Jesus through these events. This is not the only way;
you could also devise a similar strategy that would still be centered around art but would
hopefully get the youth closer to the church. This strategy would include offering to build walls
near the church or even using the walls of the church to have the youth come and paint on. You
could show them stories in the Bible and tell them to express these stories through graffiti and
art. This would instill in them the Bible and you would be able to share the Gospel with them in
terms they would most likely be more accepting to. Another way would be to simply meet the
youth where they normally are. At their painting walls. A community group leader could go and
engage with the youth through their activities all the while showing them the Word of God and
how it is also an expression. If you do the research and meet the youth where they are, they will
be more reluctant to accept the gospel.
Conclusion
The youth in Sante Fe need the gospel just like every other youth culture needs the
gospel. The point here, However, is an essay to show the ways in which the gospel should be
presented to them. In any culture you have to do you research and find out the interests of the
society at hand, in doing so, you won’t just be going in without an idea on how to reach the lost,
but instead will be leading by example and meeting the youth in their natural habitat and in a
much simpler manner presenting the gospel to them in a way in which they will be most
