Editor's Note: This article deals with the adult topic of gang violence. Please speak with your parents before and after reading. Thank you.
Ever since we were children we have been told the simple phrase: Never judge a book by its cover. But where I come from, you can't help it. Every person is a threat, if someone looks at you funny, automatically you must fight him/her or steer clear - otherwise there will be problems. I never resort to violence, not my style, so I'm always the one waiting in the bathroom for the guy with the blue bandanna in his back pocket to be long-gone. He may think he is "bitchin'" now but just imagine where he will be in ten years . . . Better? Worse? In jail? Dead? The world may never know.
I'm not one to talk, some of my good friends are gang members, but do not judge them - they didn't have much of a choice. Whether it is a "family gang" (ironic, I know) or they were forced, maybe even threatened, they are good people - just bad decisions. In the neighborhood I live in, you hide or you are in a gang; in a gang for respect, territory, and protection; but, hey, although my race is what YOU may consider "neutral" (I am Caucasian), I stick out like a sore thumb as well as being a main target to "spit tums with," but I'm smart, I know where I am not welcome. Yet, the risk is always scary . . . for anybody. Will gangs ever "fade out"? The world may never know.
Seeing a gun being pulled out of a pocket, pointing at a loved one - seeing someone's finger gently grazing the trigger is the scariest thing that a person can see.
"Get down! Get down!" Cynthia screamed at me.
Seems like I am always "getting down" trying to be safe, protecting myself, even when I'd rather jump out in front of my family. My cousin was shot and killed due to gang violence. My friends have been shot at . . . shot at a few people too . . . When will they stop, if ever? The world may never know.
I know everybody has an opportunity, I just know it. Some people just do not give a damn, but they can, they should. I want to help those who have potential; I see a twinkle in their eyes and I know they want to do well, so why don't they? The world may never know.
A friend of mine, Roy, was in a gang . . . "Bloods." I'm sure you have heard or seen them "rep the red," anyways, he wanted out. O-U-T. So he moved far, far, FAR away, the only solution so he wouldn't be beaten out of the gang, just like he was beaten into it. He will NEVER be able to return, he isn't intimidated . . . he is smart. Why won't they leave him alone? The world may never know.
Although vague, this was not written to tell you about my life experiences, there are more opportunities for that, and I definitely did not write this to tell you to judge a person by the way they look (you shouldn't!), you see, gang violence, in my city, is at an all-time high, it is time to act now to let those who are deprived of an amazing education have the same chance you do. How you ask? A simple phone call will do the trick. But before I tell you any more information, I think you should brush up on your knowledge, you will never know what people truly go through unless you sit back and see for yourself.
I suggest the movie Freedom Writers. It is based on a TRUE story and has started many organizations that are still active today. It is VERY realistic . . . Please, watch it, we need all the help we can get. And I know what you're thinking, "How can watching a simple movie help anyone?" Well, you'd be surprised.
The World May Never Know, Unless We Make A Difference NOW,
Ushersg
Author's Note: Names were changed in this article for privacy reasons. In addition, this article is NOT detailed because I want all of you to make your own assumptions and think freely without me influencing you or your thoughts. I want you to sit back and absorb your environment without any strong emotions to change the way you think. I would love to know your thoughts in the BBS. Perhaps I will return, in the future, with another, more personal, article . . . until then, please understand that this article was made this way for a reason. See ya in the BBS, homes.
