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Youth Corner: Writings

Students from Las Alturas High School wrote about violence, gangs and parents

Homies

Homies for life that's what everyone says,

but when you get caught up, how many of them stay?

You have fun times

while you're doing all your crimes.

Walking down your street

to see what girls we'll meet.

Once you find a lady,

your homies act shady.

When you get beat up,

your homies say "stay up!"

So, someone heard something about you

and now he ran and told your whole crew.

Now, all your so called homies

say they hate you.

Dreams

Hold on to dreams

Because they disappear

Life is like a roller coaster

That has ups and downs.

Hold on to dreams

Because when they die

Life ia a hopeless addict

Trying to get their next high.

Life

Running around like a wild horse,

no looking back 'cause there's no remorse.

Don't matter what it is or, what's ahead

as long as I'm chillin' and don't end up dead.

People live for amazing things to come,

but, as long as I'm happy, I'll live like a bum.

People around me wish for the best,

but little do they know, my life is a mess.

I do what I want when I want without a question.

When it's over and all is said and done,

at least I can say to myself that I had fun.

Parents in Denial

There are many things that parents don't know about gangs and there are many parents that don't understand that gangs are nothing more than just more trouble and they don't do anything to prevent trouble from happening. A lot of parents are in denial about their kids being associated with a gang. Parents need to open their eyes and face reality. Parents need to be aware of what their kids do and who they associate with. I think there should be more programs open after school for everybody, it doesn't matter the age they are if people would volunteer in after school programs maybe all the things that are going on could be prevented from happening. Parents blame others who come from out of town, they say that the people that come out of town are the ones that create the violence in Santa Barbara. In reality, their own kids are the ones creating all the violence that have to do with gangs. For example, the incident that happened yesterday in downtown Santa Barbara. A boy got killed anf the other boy is seriously injured and don't know if he will make it into recovery. People need to realise that they don't have angles at home and what happened yesterday is going to affect the way people look at their kids if they're gang members. I may not be the wisest person in the world, but my advice to parents is that they need to check their kids and actually do something to punish their kids when they're doing something that their not supposed to have done. They can either take or leave my advice, but I'm pretty sure that if parents start punishing their kids, there will be a big change in society.

Parents, Kids & Gangs

Many adults are in denial about the gang problem in this town. People always blame out of town people coming to SB, they say that out of town people are the ones who start all the problems. In reality it's both, it takes two to fight. parents need to realise that their kids aren't little angels staying out of trouble. They need to stop being in denial. They don't want to admit that their kids are gang members and cause all the viloence in this town. Parents need to step up to their kids and talk to them. Let them know what they are doing; tell them that it's wrong, all gangs do is end up hurting or killing someone. Like for example, yesterday March 14th 2007 there was a big rumble on State St. between the Eastside and the Westside. They ended up killing a 15 year old boy. Just imagine how that kid's parents are feeling right now. They just lost their son, their life, their whole entire world. So, if you have a son or daughter involved in gangs, my advice to you is to talk to them, try to get them out of gang banging, pay more attention to them. Find out who he's hanging out with, where he's hanging out at. Even better, talk to your community about organizing a program where you can help kids that are involved or planning to be involved in gangs. Try to come up with ideas to keep your kids busy. If you really care for your children you will keep this in mind and try to change the way this town lets all this violence happen.

Gangs in Santa Barbara

Gangs in Santa Barbara today are escalating in percentage. many people do not know all that is included in the gang activity. Teenagers these days get involved in gangs to look cool and be in coll crowds. Teens think its cool to get involved but little do they know that everyday they are putting their life on the line. To get involved in a gang u need to fight with other rival gangs and also have to show the other gang members from the same gang that u can handle it.

People in the community need to get involved more. Also, the teens parents need to keep track of what their children are doing at all times. I think that there should be more programs out there for the public and also more programs that involve gang activity to let the community and the people know actually how bad it really is.

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