But what I also notice is how these kids in this relatively “safe” community emmulate “gangsters.” I know that there are gangs in the South Bay, but the majority of the kids are not. The question or more an observation I have is the growing fear that the youth project to others by incidents in the media; fiction or nonfiction.

So the question is, “Why are kids who don’t have to worry about gangs and drive-by shootings, and violence attracted to them?” For example, a group of 15 to 16 year old boys put together a “Crips” and “Bloods” party wear they had to symbolize one or the other gang colors. My concern as a mother are the ramifications of being sheltered from the “real world.” Now that my son is driving, I worry that he may drive into the “wrong” neighborhood and not know how to survive. I’m afraid he doesn’t have enough “street knowledge” to get by… So I’m asking as a concerned mom, what is the best way to educate my sons and the community in which we live that we are all connected one way or another. How my children behave in the South Bay effects how other people perceive them. This is very evident after I watched “Blood Diamonds” and currently reading “The Long Way Gone.” It was very sad to see in both movie and book how people began to “distrust” eachother, how easily fears consume the best of us, and how the “innocent” children wore the burden of stigma and bias. I definitely, do not have the answers to this overwhelming global epidemic but it is truly refreshing to hear this radio station address the core issues of humanity and encourage the basic provisions of honesty, openness, and communication. Thank You!! I will continue to listen and support this positive endeavor.

Warmly,
Eun Ah

Kudos to Mr. & Ms. Hughes for overcoming traditional corporate pressures and for providing community members a viable avenue through which to voice their experiences, struggles, hopes and ideas.

I’m sympathetic to people trying to improve their lives, but their chances are drastically diminished when they are forced to rely on sorry, couldn’t care less government employees. Start showing “Cool Hand Luke” in lower grades, and that should knock some sense into the kids. I know watching “The Shawshank Redemption” did that for accountants.

What I don’t want from this show are some “Oprah-like” sympathies that puts blame everywhere except where it belongs. Bo Taylor needs to team up with Dr. Phil.