Those who try to deal with violence in U.S. communities and schools have tended to concentrate on suppression of violence, rather than real prevention, particularly as violence is associated with youth gangs. This discussion focuses on multiculturalism as a policy for reducing gang violence, rather than strategies that have been used to deal with youth gangs, which include community organization, social intervention, provision of social and economic opportunities, organizational development, and suppression. Institutional racism is perhaps the most important issue involved in the formation of gangs and their inappropriate activities, although it is by no means the only cause. The incorporation of the process of multiculturalism into the concept of community policing may assist in reduction of all forms of violence in our society, including gangs. The racial and ethnic character of the police force must reflect the composition of the community. Education to make students more sensitive to different cultures will also help to reduce violence. This will require more cultural awareness on the part of teachers, and more sensitivity in curriculum design and implementation. Practices of teachers can go a long way to alleviating violence by encouraging respect for all. Appendixes contain a section of the California penal code, a House Bill on gang violence, and a sample school board policy. (SLD)