Post 9
How does gang violence effect inner city high school students in Washington, DC?
Another fallen victim, another life gone, innocent or not who’s to say, but it shouldn’t be put in to the hands of a 13 year old who stole his mothers gun to get revenge or 16 year old who bought one off the streets so he could “handle his problems.”
Gang violence has been going on for years and it’s not just a teenage thing, but for the most part this is the majority. Also, the group brought up the point in which males tend to join gangs more than females. People have been trying to find ways to end gang violence for years, but without anything else to do young people flock to gangs because they think it’s cool, or because it gives them something to do, some even join because they feel that it is some kind of brother/sisterhood.
Gangs not only effect the crime rate but it also has many other effects on the community. This group brought up some very good points, even though they talked about the crime rate, and the violence, they also talked about the educational side. They spoke about the drop out rate and how it effected the graduation rate, which since 2006 has gone up.
Some solutions that were put out were to involve students in extracurricular activities, create and enforce programs to improve education, fieldtrips, sports, academic organizations, and mentors. The group also felt as though if the mayor was to let them know that he cares, show them that they don’t have to do this that would make a difference.
I just hope that one day everyone will see that gangs are not cool, that taking someone’s life is not their job to do, I just hope that the young people will wake up and see that they can be so much more if only they let the gangs go.
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