And I hear them saying you’ll never change things
And no matter what you do it’s still the same thing
But it’s not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know
That it will not change me
-Garth Brooks
It was about nine years ago now that I started trying to help kids resist the pressure of the gangs. Nine years ago, I shot Carmellina and José and gave up that life forever. I took a few weeks to think about what I had done and decided that such a tragedy should not happen to make a person realize the futility of being part of a gang. And so I went to work trying to show the other side of the coin to the kids who thought there was no other way to live. I gathered support and donations and set up a program that gave kids something else to do. Something to encourage them to find their real talents. It was successful in part. There is still a lot to go, and Paco’s campaigning for the opposite point of view has been no help.
I’m not going to give details as to how many people that have now gathered on “my side” because I believe in some things needing to be kept unclear. However, we have the potential to put up a good fight, although preferably not of the physical variety. That’s what I’m trying to keep these kids from getting into. It helps to have the aid of Jeremy, who has a great way with kids. He’s been a very big help in not only getting more kids turned around, but also in keeping casualties on this side down. I have to also give a lot of credit to both Meloni Quast and Naida Tario, whose help on the streets has been invaluable. And Dani.. well, she’s been a big help too. With help like I’ve had, I think we’ve got a good shot at getting through this. But the most credit has to go to the kids themselves, who took a big risk in pulling away from the only life that they’ve known and the only one that seemed possible for them. They’ve been great and I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of people to work with. Because in the end, it’s up to them. They have to make these decisions and they have to stick with them. The rest of us are just there for a helping hand and for a shoulder when it’s needed.
He supports you When the last thing we notice is the color of skin We shall be free
Because he loves you
Understands you
Is one of you
-Evita
And the first thing we look for is the beauty within
When the skies and the oceans are clean again
Then we shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight
Walk proud
'Cause we shall be free
-Garth Brooks