During the afterschool program today, 3 of my favorite kids were playing football with me. One was a girl I went Christmas shopping with, who had been given money from a local charity to buy clothes for herself. Two were boys I tutor during the day, one of whom I'm taking on a hike in a few weeks and then writing about it together (Javier). It was the first day in about two weeks where it wasn't raining outside, and we were all so happy to be running around.
Javier started eating sunflower seeds so we took a break. I turned around and the three of them were gathered around a patch of sand writing in the dirt. I looked at it and there were gang symbols, numbers associated with gangs, etc. They knew so much, and they were doing it with me right there. What the hell. Then they started showing each other hand signs and talking about which side they (and their tias/uncles) are for. What do I do? Training did not cover this. And these were my favorite kids...
I asked them if they knew how much money a "gangster" makes. (Thanks to my housemate) I know that studies have shown only the top few gangmembers actually profit from gang activity. I told them "only the top 3" so they would get a sense of exactly how few made money. Then Javier, whose brother is in jail, told us all how gangs make their money: They shoot someone. If he doesn't die right away, they shoot him some more until he's dead. Then they empty his wallet. They take his cards. They take his ID, and either throw it away, or use it as a fake. Then, if the person has more than $5000, whoever killed him gets the extra cash. This is what happens, according to an 8-year-old.
I told him that whatever "extra cash" there is, it isn't much. I told them that I make more money than a gangster (I make about $2.50/hour). The last thing I told them was, "I'm teaching you so you can get a real job and a career someday. If you were to join a gang, it would make everything I do pointless. What I do would mean nothing and I would be so hurt." I looked right at Javier and his eyes went wide. Then they all ran off to play.
They're young enough that something could sink in. I just hope that what I say helps them now, and also resonates years down the road.
I just found your blog! Yay for writing.
ReplyDeleteAs your future sidekick, this was a tough first entry to read. And if I hadn't heard you use the word "rewarding" so many times in the little time I've known you, I'd be a little less excited to start working.
But you do a good job of hanging onto optimism, and, shit, I do to. These kids have no idea what's in store for them once I show up. I feel like we need a bad-ass theme song.