Livin' the Thug Life
I mentioned in my last post that I am just fascinated by gangs these days. I started watching "Gangland" on the History Channel and could not get enough. So then I read Monster by "Monster" Kody Scott. I was simply floored by the violence and mindsets. Now, I can understand how a child living in poverty and in a broken home seeks out the gang life for a sense of family. What is crazy to me is that these children transition so quickly to violence. Not only that, but gangs recruit from elementary schools! AND, usually those children already have a glorified idea about that gang. It is crazy and leaves me wondering "what can be done?" Obviously they desperately need Jesus, but the ideals in "gang life" are so opposite of Jesus' teaching, I wonder what it is like to try to reach them. Not hop. Any one have ideas/thoughts? (Becca - I am sure you do, and I would love to hear them!)
And now, I would like to interrupt this blog post for a vent about.... ARMY. Zach just switched jobs or went back to another battalion or something - whatev, not important. What is important is this: in his old position he got up around 5:45 to make it to work for PT and got home around 4ish. Now, he has to BE AT WORK at 5:45 for a meeting. And yes, I mean 5:45 AM. His alarm is now set at 4:40 AM. But it gets better. They also have another meeting in the afternoon that keeps Zach from getting home until 6 or later PM. This. Is. Every. Day. GROSS.
My sweet mother tried to put things into perspective by saying, "Well Steph, if he was working in NYC*, he would be leaving that early AND wouldn't be getting home until 8 or 9 at night."
And she is right, most business men in NYC are workaholics. However, they do not deploy and they make at least 4 times Zach's salary. Um, good try, Susan, but you are going to need to try harder than that :)
*My mom is from NJ and both my parents started out working in NYC, so that comment really didn't come out of left field. Just so you know, my Southern friends :)
And PS - I am aware that many people have to work longer hours than Zach and may make even less than he does. I am thankful for what we have, don't get me wrong. Really, it is not about money. I am just in an iwantmyhusbandhomeplease sort of mood. The Army has a unique way of annoying me. Story of my life. Well, my life for the past 3 years. OMG I have to stop now. I am thinking in crazy circles.
Okay, peace out.
"I DO know, I KNOW" - that was for you, Kara Grimes.
posted by Steph @ 4:21 PM
3 Comments:
Hi sweet friend! I'll tell you what, gangs aren't nearly as big of a factor here in ATL as they are in LA abd other cities. I think they're still there but we never really encounter them at all . . . my friend Jeremy used to do Metro Kidz in LA and he said it was terrible there. Nevertheless, the same ideals of violence, young pregnancies, drugs etc are still so perpetuated. Another book you might like is called "Rosa Lee" by Leon Dash. She has 8 kids and all but 2 of them ended up like her on welfare, with drugs, hiv etc . . . the difference for the two who made it out of this lifestyle? They both had people (social worker, teacher)who took a personal interest in their lives. That is why adam is leaving his job to start a mentoring program, because we feel like thats really the best way to reach these kids.
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oh, i posted that last one under grant's email... sorry!
i love you. and now that i'm working longer hours than grant (leaving at 8 and getting home after 6) it's tough to find time for just being together. i find we have to fight for/ schedule quality time, or it will slip away.. daily... anyway. i totally feel you on that, and rest assured, zach misses that time, too. xoxo
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