Social Issue "Gangs In Our Communities"

Many people would argue that street gangs in our community are no longer a problem. The reason many would argue to believe that is because over the years gangs have decrease in some of the bigger cities within the US but in some of the smaller cities like Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside and Carlsbad with in their ethnic communities gangs still exist and are still an issue. I grew up in the City of Carlsbad, many would argue that part were I grew up in is considered the barrio of Carlsbad others may also consider it to be the “ghetto” part of Carlsbad! Growing up in an ethnic community and in that part of Carlsbad I can honestly say that I grew up around street gangs some of the my best friends who I grew up with were and are still involved with gangs. Out of all of my friends I was one of the few that never went through that road. I was one the few that managed to get out and get an education and that is something that I can definitely be proud of. Which is why I’m deciding to write on this topic, as much as I was strongly influenced by my peers I managed to stay away and grow out of gangs regardless of the area where I was living.

I am currently working for North County Lifeline who is a non-profit organization that assists the youth. Through the after school programs in many of these local cites, we assist the youth in giving them a safer environment and atmosphere that keep them off the streets. But even with the help of these programs gangs continue to be a problem, which is why I choose to do my social issue on the increase of gangs in our communities.

Obama's inauguration

It wasn’t until this year that I really cared what was happening in politics and it wasn’t until this year that I finally got up and voted! I guess this year my vote counted! This week we witness history when America inaugurates our first black president Barack Obama. I always look forward to hearing Obama speak he has inspiring speeches that really give a sense of hope. One of the he said that really got to me during his speech was “starting today we must pick our self’s up, dust our self’s off and begin again the work of rebuilding America.” I think this was very powerful statement in his speech it gave me inspiration that our economy will prosper.