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Gang Life: In The Words of Gang Members

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Hello. My name is Marki. No, I'm not a gang memeber. No, I have never been. But my heart goes out. See, I'm 24 years old, and I am from the South-Side of Chicago. And anyone form the Chi can feel me.

You see, there, you don't have to be in a gang to feel the effects of gangs. Wearing your hat the right way, in the right neighborhood. Watching what you do with your hands. Watching who you hang with. It was too much watching for me. Especially since I wasn't in a gang. But let me explain from a "neutrons" point of view. I was tired of burying my friends and loved ones. The only funeral I am trying to attend now is my own. I was tired of attening family reunions where this cousin was a "Vice- Lord" but this one was "Folks".

I was tired of visiting hospitals and looking in the faces of the people I love laying there shot up, stabbed up, or beat up. Just this past Easter I had to deal with the death of yet another friend. Do you know what that is like? To know someones potential in life. To know how smart they are or how gifted they are, then to have to say your last good byes to them. And for what? For a color? For the way a hat is worn? For some other fool that isn't man (or woman) enough to deal with there own problems? I now have a friend sitting in the pen for 35 years. For what? Being at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with his fellow "Latin Kings", or so they say. But what pisses me off the most, is that society wouldn't see it any other way. They don't even try and keep us down anymore, because we are doing such a good job all by ourselves. Do you think that society wants to see a generation of Black and Latino doctors, lawyers and business professionals? No they rather see us at each others throats. Fighting over power and money that don't even belong to us anyway. But I had to also see the problem in myself. I was so busy being hurt and angry by the deaths and the lock ups, I over looked the real problems. I was so busy trying to maintain myself, and educate myself, and better myself, I started to forget about the brothas and sistas,(including my latino cousins).

So I had to check myself. So I want you all to know that there is hope. There are people out here that sincerely love you all, and want to uplift you. I'm not here to judge or make light of your plight. I know it is hard out there. But we don't need to make it harder on ourselves. Do you know what society fears? An educated Black man. Do you know what they despise? An educated Blak woman. Do you know what they don't want? Latinos to educate and uplift themselves. Do you know why? Because then we will take part in the economy. Look at Hip-Hop today. Look at all the money it generates. Now you can't look at a commercial, or see a movie, without Hip- Hop influence. They won't be able to just give us anything. Because we would know just how much we really deserve.

They won't be able to call us minorities. See the number of Blacks and latinos separted don't equal that of the "majority". And when we are separated within each other, the numbers brake down more. But when we link ourselves together and strengthen ourselves, we become the "majority". And guess what, the majority rules. Not only that, but when we decide to get into something, we take it over and dominate. Look at golf and Tiger Woods. Look at tennis and Serena and Venus Williams. Keep that in my. If anyone wants to talk or need help, email me. I will be happy to talk with anyone. You all maintain out there. Sending love yall way.

Marki<>