Living in Los Angeles we’re use to the “gang” element ’round here, unfortunately. But have you ever thought about where these “gangsters” come from? Think about it, they all start off as some one’s kid, right? No kid is born a gang-banger. Sure kids are born into gang affiliated families, but they still have a chance to escape it, right? If they’re lucky.
We live next door to a Mexican woman, Maria, who is raising, now, two teenage boys on her own. Their dad comes around, yet he’s basically an absentee parent. Maria works down the street from me, in Orange County (the white part of town). We see her mini van driving along side us on Alondra Blvd almost daily and the woman NEVER misses work. I know her oldest, Chris, isn’t going to school right now. Chris is 15, I believe. And her “baby”, Cody, is 13 and, sadly, following in his brother’s footsteps.
Living in a duplex style house our back doors are mere feet from each other, so I see and hear all the signal whistles Chis’ homies give him to come out. His mom works in a factory and often works longer than 8-5 M-F. I feel sorry for the lady because her son’s are headed down the wrong path in life.
Chris has already been picked up, twice, by the police. Once for position of spray cans and the other for “supposedly” (according to bio-dad) marijuana. This mom tries her best and is, unfortunately, failing in the raising of her two boys alone.
Back to why kids are so fucken dumb, Chris has fallen into the neighborhood “gang” element. He’s not a “gang-banger” yet. But he is running with the kids who are tagging and shit. I think he’s selling weed, too, out of his mom’s house. We recently had property work done ’round here, and fresh cement has been laid. Guess what? These dumb fucken kids have carved their names into the drying cement! DUH! Not a smart Chlo are you? Not only that, but last night I was outside my back door smoking, it was hot so I stepped outside and walked to the back of my house because I heard something. Guess what I saw? This stupid fuck, Chris, had tagged on the back of his OWN FUCKEN HOUSE! I shit you not. His “homies” call him Chester and its in BIG BLACK spray paint CHESTER on the wall. Talk about a fucken retard!
Dude, what the FUCK is wrong with kids these days?? I know I sound like an old bitch, but I’m not. I’m just a 34 year old parent who sees what is happening to our youth. What can be done to help them? What can be done for their parents? The sad thing is i heard they were going to move to Lynwood, which is a city that is not only predomiently black but GANG INFESTED! These poor kids haven’t got a chance in L.A. HELL to survive!
I may be a callous, Los Angeles bitch at times, but I’m still a woman, citizen, mother and a human who feels for these poor kids. THESE kids are the ones who need attention and help. But how can one help them, in a city that I live in where helping is misconstrued as interfering or even dangerous?
Life in L.A. sucks ass. I’d love to get my family out of here.
18 comments
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August 30, 2007 at 5:02pm
The "Mind"
Dude, you know where I live. The house across the street is for sale. Mom and Dad’s old house down the block is still vacant. Remember, I can walk, at night, alone, on Devil’s Night and not get harassed or be afraid.
I’m telling ya. The land of white bread and bologna isn’t that bad.
*hugs*
August 30, 2007 at 5:29pm
Craze
I saw so much of that growing up in Cali and it’s not just in LA the dumb fucks are all over here too, just not as bad… yet.
You aren’t callous, you are caring. I’m a sucker for the underdog, I’d try to help them all if I could but we can only do so much.
August 30, 2007 at 6:22pm
L Sass
Just thank your lucky stars that you have a husband and a partner to raise your girls with. Single parenthood is definitely a hard row to hoe.
August 30, 2007 at 6:32pm
Augs Casa
Let’s see for the hispanic people out there…te siento! Dude ,I feel for you. I see it too. The youth of today lost all values and have no respect for anything. I not only blame the kids, but I blame the parents as well. I mean the 2 boys you are talking about have a father who rarely is around. Mom is working her arse off and doesn’t spend much time with them. I hate to say it, but this is how is begins, goes and ends. I hope they become great young kids, but they are off to a bad start.
August 30, 2007 at 6:45pm
Samantha_K
I hate that helpless feeling of wanting to help but not knowing how, and the fear of having your offer of help be seen as interference. The parents who need the most help are so defensive about the fact that they think they are doing ok…(“You just don’t know what it’s like, I’m doing the best I can!”)
Pride gets in the way and unfortunately, the kids suffer.
Here’s hoping those boys don’t get stuck in that lifestyle.
August 30, 2007 at 7:59pm
*~*Cece*~*
Mind, Its too cold where you live! lol
Craze, I’m glad that you guys got away from here and that J doesn’t have to grow up w/all the bullshit that L.A. has to offer.
Sass, I do thank my stars for him. I know its hard for a single parent, I see my sister struggle at times and it breaks my heart.
Augs, que? lol You’re right, no respect from the youth. Its awful. And this poor mother is clearly doing the best she can just to keep her family above water, you know?
Samantha, its like an endless cycle you know?
August 30, 2007 at 8:03pm
Frazzled Farm Wife
I can relate to dumb kids but we are so far removed here in South Dakota. Sure we worry about drugs etc but the worst things the kids usually get here is a speeding ticket or maybe a detention in school. Thank God my kids haven’t had either one yet. I guess we should be thankful that we don’t have the problems that big cities do!
August 30, 2007 at 9:40pm
Christina_the_wench
That sucks ass.
I am on the board of a youth group here in the Detroit area and that’s part of what we are trying to combat. The fact that you care enough to get angry about it shows you are a good person, cece.
*hugs too*
August 30, 2007 at 9:49pm
BOSSY
Yikes. Bossy kind of remembers why she doesn’t live in a sexy place. (But ohhhhh how borring)
August 30, 2007 at 9:58pm
Carrie
Oklahoma is pretty calm but yet we have one of the highest abortion rate, highest divorce rate, worst school, bad economy, high murder rate and we have the 5th highest insurance rates. I think it is everywhere unless you live in BFE like Sue.
August 30, 2007 at 10:30pm
Jen
You could always come to Kentucky….LOL!
August 30, 2007 at 11:34pm
Ms.L
Awww man!
That just sucks:(
August 31, 2007 at 3:55am
Sassy Momma
Scary and sooo so sad. I think the worst we have around here are loud mufflers, loud music and loud ass diesel trucks. haha
August 31, 2007 at 5:03am
Slick
There’s no easy answer for that. Sounds like your neighbor is mostly a single parent and when she’s having to work her fingers to the bone, a child’s discipline is thrown out the window.
It’s like a revolving door….
August 31, 2007 at 4:25pm
laughingattheslut
I think a lot of it has to do with this nonsense about a kid’s criminal record being erased when they turn 18. They know that they’re just going to get a slap on the wrist.
Of course they’re just going to get a slap on the wrist when they’re adults too. The jails are too crowded and everyone gets out early.
September 1, 2007 at 2:43pm
Kal
That sucks. I feel for the Mom (and you guys, naturally!), these kids definitely need a father around.
tagging your own house? Oh man. Stupid. Kid needs to spend the afternoon repainting the wall after buying the paint himself.
September 1, 2007 at 4:23pm
Char
That’s just sad. I can’t even relate. How’s the house hunting going?
September 1, 2007 at 5:32pm
mom of 2
I feel bad for that mom and all of those other moms out there who are working hard and trying to do the best they can for the kids. Seems like those kids don’t stand a chance, which is very sad!
And if you’re looking to up and move…the cost of living in Texas is really cheap! You can buy a nice house in a nice neighborhood for $110,000 – $150,000. And it’s not cold either!