I come from a world where violence and gangs are constant. My first encounter with gang members showed me an environment that I might have been destined to live in.
Seven forty five pm, I got off my bus stop, heading home. Walking through the unpaved streets, pieces of windows, and tequila bottles scattered in the sidewalk. As I pass an alley, three members from MS’18 (Barrio 18 gang) approached me forming a circle. The leader of the group looked right in front of me, with his dark eyes. He said “Look home girl, you shouldn't be reading this book (he pointed at my AP Spanish and AP US History book), nor letting teacher brainwash you. You know what you should be doing, cleaning my house, feeding me and pleasing me.”
The night of my first encounterment with gang members, I couldn't sleep of fear but of anger. I could not comprehend why women are seen as submissive or simply seen as objects. I didn't accept that men still have a machista mentality. If a man joins a gang and owns a 45, they are “strong”. I realize that I should not fear men, especially gang members. I don't need a gun, nor people looking around my surrounding to make myself look as a leader. A leader is a …show more content…
In my community, only a few have the chance to graduate, most teens drop out by 9th Grade. Violence encouraged me to do the opposite. I strive for success and by my impulses it has lead me to become valedictorian. Similarly, my community open me the gates of activism and leadership. Starting from 9th grade I joined student government, becoming the first freshman to have a position as Sports Representative. Sophomore I continue with my position as Sports Representative and was the first underclassmen to be part of the senior committee. My involvement in school influence many kids from my community to join leadership, sport, or any sort of clubs. They saw that the path to gangs was a via express route
Seven forty five pm, I got off my bus stop, heading home. Walking through the unpaved streets, pieces of windows, and tequila bottles scattered in the sidewalk. As I pass an alley, three members from MS’18 (Barrio 18 gang) approached me forming a circle. The leader of the group looked right in front of me, with his dark eyes. He said “Look home girl, you shouldn't be reading this book (he pointed at my AP Spanish and AP US History book), nor letting teacher brainwash you. You know what you should be doing, cleaning my house, feeding me and pleasing me.”
The night of my first encounterment with gang members, I couldn't sleep of fear but of anger. I could not comprehend why women are seen as submissive or simply seen as objects. I didn't accept that men still have a machista mentality. If a man joins a gang and owns a 45, they are “strong”. I realize that I should not fear men, especially gang members. I don't need a gun, nor people looking around my surrounding to make myself look as a leader. A leader is a …show more content…
In my community, only a few have the chance to graduate, most teens drop out by 9th Grade. Violence encouraged me to do the opposite. I strive for success and by my impulses it has lead me to become valedictorian. Similarly, my community open me the gates of activism and leadership. Starting from 9th grade I joined student government, becoming the first freshman to have a position as Sports Representative. Sophomore I continue with my position as Sports Representative and was the first underclassmen to be part of the senior committee. My involvement in school influence many kids from my community to join leadership, sport, or any sort of clubs. They saw that the path to gangs was a via express route