The Hood

Good in the hood:
1. I like my nice hood /to meet some really good friends\ that provide me love.
2. I like having friends.  /I can play with them all day.\  I love my parents.
3. I love my grandma.  /I play on the “funnest” swing.\  My grandma’s food is the best.
4. I love family.  /They are the best friends ever.\  Best school ever! YA!
5. Love playing outside.  /I love helping all people\ when they need my help.
6. Many stores around.  /You can make friends easily.\  There are block parties!
7. Swimming in water.  /I love playing in the sand.\  Laughing with my friend-
8. Buildings are built safe.  /Stores are packed with food.\  The people I love.
9. My friends are funny.  /My hood supports me with care.\  They are good to play
10. Family loves me, /music is something special,\ girls are beautiful.
11. Those that work to help.  /Who’re polite and respectful-\  Having fun with friends-
12. The computer lab.  /My grandmother is very nice.\  Playing in the swings-

Bad in the hood:
1. Bad friends against you, /too much shooting going on,\ see families’ cry.
2. The sound of gun shots /and young kids getting stabbed up.\  People always fight.
3. Garbage everywhere-  /Spitting is a nasty thing.\  Don’t show me boxers!
4. Shooting needs to stop /and people fighting get hurt.\  Arguing just sucks!
5. There too many fights.  /People are always stealing.\  Too many gun shots-
6. Lots of crime around /many bad influences\ no jobs for people.
7. I don’t like fighting.  /I don’t like playing football.\  I hate when they shoot.
8. There’s gang violence.  /Dogs and cats just roam the streets.\  Clean up the garbage.
9. My hood won’t listen.  /They forget a lot of things.\  Sometimes they spread hate.
10. Gang wars are killing.  /Kids, they are disrespectful.\  Killing young adults-
11. Bad people like thieves.  /Some police beat people bad.\  Guns that hurt people-
12. Garbage everywhere.  /Putting soda in the trees-\  Bee paintings on walls-

Helping the hood:
1. Introduce more cops, /make sure kids are in good schools,\ and be successful.
2. Maybe they can talk.  /Put down weapons to speak words\ and do something else.
3. Throw trash in trash cans.  /Always spit in the garbage.\  Pull your pants up right.
4. Talking about peace.  /Play a game like candy land.\  You need to stop this!
5. They should play baseball.  /Earn money helping people.\  Stop selling us guns!
6. More law enforcement.  /Teach them how to do good things.\  Creating more jobs-
7. You can talk it out.  /Let’s try playing basketball.\  Talk instead of fight.
8. Stop gang violence.  /Adopt a dog or a cat.\  Lots more garbage trucks-
9. They could respect more.  /They can listen much better.\  All of them can play.
10. More cops safer streets.  /Butt whippings will save your kids.\  After school… will help!
11. Go to school and learn.  /Police need special schooling.\  Get rid of the guns.
12. Make new homes for birds.  /Paint over the graffiti.\  Plant trees in good soil.

The Poets:
1. Ali Aghayere is 13 years old.
2. Briannia Vaugn is 8 years old.
3. Ernie Vasquez is 9 years old.
4. Jakia Williams  is 10 years old.
5. Jose Hernandez  is 14 years old.
6. Joshua Jackson is 12 years old.
7. Kyla Fancies is 8 years old.
8. Markel McDonald is 14 years old.
9. Michael Dejesus is 12 years old.
10. Mikale Jackson is 16 years old.
11. Raezhon (RayRay) Nelson is 13 years old.
12. Victoria Vasquez is 10 years old.