Gang Violence

Essay by el482High School, 11th gradeA+, February 1997

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Gangs are becoming a growing problem in American society. More young people are turning to gangs to solve problems in there lives. When youths join gangs they drop social activities with family, friends and school. Members fall behind their classmates in school and do not try. A study shows that less than 1% of gang bangers is literate1. Gangs destroy teenager lives and destroy their chances for a good education and happy life. Gangs are now a haven for rats.

Teenagers are joining gangs every day. They join gangs for many reasons. A former gang member known as G-Ball was very young when he joined a his gang. He and a friend would play a game. They would pose as gang members to be cool. Then police arrested him and other gang members for stealing cars. G-Ball never wanted to be a gang member he wanted to act and dress like one.

Another former gang member, Alonzo, age 17 wanted to join a gang because he had nothing to do after school. Both he and G-Ball joined a gang by choice. Keith, age 17 was forced into a gang. If he didn't join, he'd be hunted down and killed by the gang members. When older family member already in a gang, younger siblings are often forced in.

Many gangs use graffiti to show their power and to mark their turf. 'Everywhere you go you see graffiti.' Professor Allen Walker Read of Columbia University said, 'The pen is mightier than the sword.' Gangs in Parma are very active with the pen. They 'tag' their property buildings and houses everywhere. Police want to know where all the parents are. Why aren't they doing anything about this? Many people in Parma want to know the answer to the same questions.

Cincinnati also has...