You need to learn how to say, “No.” The word “no” helps a lot. In school it’s like, “You wanna smoke?” “No.” If I hadn’t known how to say that, then I would be smoking right now. But I learned how to say, just “No.” So, that’s a big thing that I wish everybody knew how to say— the word no. And not be afraid to use it.
Learn about each other
I think that violence can be prevented by the community making more activities so that all different kinds of people can come together and learn about each other. That way, they can become a better community without violence, and don’t have to fight over pointless things.
Doing something productive helps
Most people think violence can only be stopped by retaliating with more violence. I’ve been in violent situations and surrounded by violent people and I find that doing an activity or something productive helps the most when trying to avoid violence.
Look in the mirror and realize what you’re doing. You need to really look at how you’re affecting the community. Just stand there and look. What am I doing? Why am I doing that? Maybe turn around and think, “This isn’t right. I need to end this. I need to turn my life around.” Because the smallest thing can turn into a big thing.
I just use my words
If someone does disrespect me, I’m going to tell them I don’t like that. I’ll say, “I would suggest you stop doing that, ’cause I haven’t done anything to you.” I don’t use my fist or anything, I just use my words, because me fighting you is not going to resolve anything. If I fight you and I win, you’re going to want to fight me back, and it’s just going to continue. So I am just going to end it: I don’t talk to you, you don’t talk to me, and we’re straight.
You are strong
I just want people to realize: you are just so much stronger than your fist, than your gun, than your knife. People don’t realize that if you just say, “I want to end this,” “I want to stop this,” it could really stop.
Instead of violence, I got into programs. I got into ROTC, and that kept me out of the streets a lot. I did volleyball, I did basketball, football- I did all the sports to get off the street. If there were more sports for kids, I think there’d be less violence. If there were more programs, more transportation to get to programs, there would be a lot of kids off the street.
I love working
After I left the gang, I worked at a corner store, and I worked taking nails out of wood. I got my own money, so I got to buy everything I wanted. It gave me a chance to know what work is. I learned that I love working. If I can have thirteen jobs in one day, I’d like to have thirteen jobs in one day.
Everybody messes up at least once
People deserve a second chance. My boss already knew my history with gangs when I first came to him. But he let me be the first CEO of his business program, and that’s what made me change even more. Give people an opportunity, because everybody messes up at least once. Maybe some people even mess up twice. But by the third time, they’ll realize someone’s giving them a chance, and they won’t mess up anymore.
There should be a peace day in schools. People could have an assembly where this person wrote a poem about peace, this person did a movie about peace, this person did a dance about peace. It could promote peace, the students would love that. They would be involved.
Give young people an opportunity
I was involved in this gang at school. I moved from that school, but most of the guys that I knew tried to get me back in the gang. That’s when I heard about this organization that had dance classes. I learned salsa, and it’s changed my whole entire attitude. I guess it showed me a different path, that it wasn’t just the streets. I can come to their classes and just do something that I enjoy. Giving kids an opportunity to do something productive or something to do right after school definitely helps.
Violence is a community issue
As individuals, we have our own opinions on violence. Learning everybody else’s opinions on violence is helpful because we get to see how other people feel about it and their reactions and their experiences with the same topic or situation. Then we can balance it with ours or see how it’s different from ours and how it’s the same. It’s hard because sometimes in your head you’re thinking wow, that didn’t really make sense. Violence is a community issue, and if everyone works together the problem can get fixed.
I think people need to step up. If you know something, you should say something. You could be anonymous, you could give a tip, or you could call it into a hotline.
All you have to do is break that cycle
Violence will get you nowhere. All you have to do is break that cycle. All it takes is a strong gut feeling to stand up for yourself and tell yourself, “I’m going to stop this violence.” Even though you used to be violent, tell yourself, “I’m going to stop it.” And then, be strong, too. Don’t feel like nobody’s going to help you, and everybody’s going to think you’re weird or strange. Be a leader. Be the first one to stick up, and then you will see some people follow.
Have everyone come together
My school changed the curriculum and started to do volleyball, baseball, having kids come together to play on a team. They have more clubs and things after school that interest kids with rapping and now dancing. It is definitely a great way to have everyone come together and help out. So schools can offer more ways for people who wouldn’t normally mix with each other to get involved.
A group I was a part of made kids aware of violence and fighting through skits, performances, dancing, rap, and spoken words. We put on little shows throughout the school year showcasing issues happening in the school. We would have little scenarios or skits representing conflicts and then how you can solve the problem without fighting. We demonstrated how to talk it out.