Gangs

I am a 15-year-old high school sophomore and I am constantly surrounded by the gang situation. Many of my acquaintances know and associate with gang members. I hear stories--sad stories--about how one of their friends got shot at a party or that a friend’s brother is in hiding because he is being sought out by a gang or that someone was beat up just to get initiated into a gang! I can’t believe this! Don’t these people know that they are being ignorant by joining a gang?

I do understand that most people join gangs for the sense of belonging. Although there are other clubs to join to achieve the feeling of belonging, there aren’t enough clubs around to accommodate all the needy teen-agers. I feel that more centers have to be developed to keep the kids off the streets. And, these kids also need caring people to love them.

CHARINA CANTON

Los Angeles