On August 28, 2012 in The
New York Times reporter Randel C. Archibold had a story about two major
gangs that are based out of Los Angeles, California and has strong ties in El
Salvador. These two gangs, Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, come to a peaceful
truce to end the violence between the two. While both leaders of the gangs are incarcerated
they decide to come to a truce after leading their gangs from the prison walls
in fear that the gangs are getting out of hand and becoming too violent. The two gang leaders discussed the truce over
a long period of time to come to a final truce. US officials feel that the
truce will lower crime rate in violent street crimes, extortion and kidnapping.
While the truce did in fact lower these aspects it is steadily coming back up because
of some member not able to adapt to the change and just drop the violent
rivalry between the two gangs. On the other side the gang member going with the
change are now calming down and looking for jobs but the job hunt is hard
having been a gang member.
Reading this article made me think of how the world is in constant
change and if people are willing to go with the change the world can one day be
a peaceful place. On the other hand this article shows the people that cannot
cope with change and rebel and pushed the change backwards. The fact that the
gang members willing to change are trying to get work to change their live and
get away from the “gang life” they should not have a hard time trying to change
for the good. Programs such as Homies Unidos should have a wider support group
to get the member of the streets and in to making the member assets to the
communities.
Good work. You picked a US-centric story, but discussed how it applies globally. Good analysis. You spoke about what the implications of the story were, as well as discussing what is being done internationally.
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