Robert Graham as gang counselor

Author and former state Senator Tom Hayden, writing at the Huffington Post, praises the late sculptor Robert Graham for his quiet work with the street gangs in Venice.

In the early 90s, when the street wars were severe, I went to see Robert Graham for advice about a proposed gang peace process. He never viewed the homeboys on his street as "super-predators", but more like lost boys who needed healing. That healing, he believed, might come from involving them in art and sculpture derived from their heritage, and fostering a self-help business approach.

It happened that Robert had finished a large Mayan monument for a San Jose park. He taught several young men to make miniatures in his Venice studio, in hopes that he would spark some cultural pride, transmit some skills, start a business, and fund some local projects out of the proceeds. As with any rehabilitation, the recovery process required a strong dose of self-help, through micro-enterprises for those too stigmatized to be employable.

Despite some valiant efforts on his part, the project didn't materialize. No one in government, business or the arts establishment showed enough interest.

By the way, Mayor Villararigosa had the Olympic flame at the Coliseum re-lit for an hour last evening in honor of Graham, whose statues adorn the entrance.