Clothing line aims to combat lure of gangs

Gangs have long attracted young drifters.

But that’s not the life for a group of nine Tokoroa High School business studies students, led by chief executive Brody Atamu and production manager Ezekiel Paiti. They have launched their own clothing label, Just G’s, aimed at encouraging youth to turn away from gangs through reworked symbolism and messages that once encouraged and promoted them.

Brody, 17, admits the label, which placed second at the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Regional Awards held in Rotorua recently, is controversial.

‘‘People were second guessing what it was all about, but we can see gang violence and that the lifestyle is a rising problem in today’s society and we want to see change,’’ he said.

He said while promoting anti-gang sentiments, the label also shows young men that they can excel if they set their minds to it.

‘‘People often look down on a big group of boys and think they won’t work but this shows that when we really pull our heads in and actually get work done we are capable of doing something pretty cool,’’ he said.

‘‘We have been able to prove people wrong and show that we are actually worth something.’’

Brody said in doing so it conveys an important message to youths to look beyond gang violence and choose a better pathway.