To explain what I mean more clearly, did you know that people IN the neighborhoods have more right to what goes on there than county or city officials? The thing is, that you have to STAND UP and say something. In most cases, especially in areas where there is heavy gang violence, members of that neighborhood all agree that the problem has to be stopped. I think America has gotten too used to the word "can't" instead of using the word "try". People sit there and say things like " I can't do this, it won't work." or "Do you have any idea how long that will take?" There are so many excuses that people come up with to avoid doing any real work or making any real effort to change a given situation.
People have power in numbers. That is the statement of the century right there. Everyone in America, including everyday citizens are so caught up with the war going on overseas that they have stopped caring what goes on right here at home.
According to www.urbanministry.org's "fasten" Gang statistics in 2009 states that:
- 100% of cities that had a population of 250,000 reported gang activity in 2001.
- 44% of cities with a population of 25,000 to 49,999 reported gang activity in 2001.
Now more than ever, our communities need to be have a helping hand. I don't know why the government is not seeing that our communities are in trouble, instead of spending all of our focus and energy overseas, but one thing is for sure, this is going to be left up to us. If we all just sit in our houses and do nothing, guess what is going to happen? Nothing, but if we will just get up off our lazy behinds and say something, or do something to make a difference, we may change something after all. For years, most of us have sat around and watched this country turn to crap. For me, I watched my parents just sit by and watch the pride of America burning to the ground. So now, I am doing what I can to reach out to as many people as I can to get them to listen.
People move out of cities that have an increased amount of gang violence, as they should to stay as safe as possible, but the next step is to do something to change the city they moved from. It is our responsibility as citizens of the United States to follow up and do things that the government can't or won't do.
There are town meetings, city council meetings, etc., that members of the community can go to and voice their opinions, and, whether or not people want to believe it, if you stand up in large numbers, a community can get just about anything it wants.
The way the U.S. is going right now, there is going to be an increased number in job loss, homelessness, drug use & selling, violence, and due to the stress of everything, gang violence will increase. Most gangs will see that their community is weak, and they will attack in hopes that they will get whatever outcome is pleasing to them. From the false "promises" that gangs make, they will be able recruit more soldiers to carry out their wishes. This does not only include our children. Do you think that a middle age man (or woman) who has lost everything and has no one would pass up an opportunity to have a "family" to have people "backing them up" or to have more money? If you think that most people would turn down an offer like that, even from a gang, when times are so very tough, you are wrong.
The only way to prevent our family, neighbors, co-workers, children and community members from falling into such a large "crack" in the system, is to be their family. To reach out a hand to someone whether it be emotionally, physically, or financially when this country seems as if it is falling to pieces, might just save their life, as well as your own.
Too many people die from gang violence every day. Too many innocent people get recruited to carry out horrible, unimaginable crimes on a day to day basis. Why are the PEOPLE of America not standing up and doing something about it? Why are we just sitting around waiting for the government to do something that we could very well do ourselves.
We have all seen that our "Government" has a one track mind and is completely incompetent and incapable of taking care of issues here in America, like i said before, especially when they are so focused on things going on somewhere else. So again I will repeat myself IT IS UP TO US, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO CHANGE THE COUNTRY WE LIVE IN.
If you do not believe we can do that, if you do not believe that it is possible for the citizens to do things that most would expect a government to do, or you would just rather sit back and do nothing, because you don't FEEL like changing things, DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. If you are going to do nothing about the problems you feel are a threat to every day life in America, then you lose your right to say anything about it. Bringing a problem to other's attention is stating that you want the issue resolved, or made better.
I don't care about "bloods" or "crips" or "SCR" or the "VL's". I don't care about red or blue, black or white, or whatever stupid color may be the next big thing. all i care about is living in a country that is comfortable to be in. Living in a country that has citizens that are proud of what their Nation is. I hope all of you are too.
I, for one, wish that our children were fed, warm and comfortable. I also wish our families were safe to walk out on the streets at night or any other time, without having to worry about being mugged kidnapped or shot. I'm going to do my part to change things. One voice is not very loud when standing alone, but many voices put together is loud enough to be heard by even the most powerful of individuals.
**As always, I meant no offense to anyone or their opinions on the subject at hand. I respect every one's opinion individually. I hope you will be kind enough to leave feedback or questions/comments so that i can make any future pieces better, or so that i can further my knowledge on this particular subject. Thanks!~Kristi
***Topic suggested by Debra B. (La.)
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