Mass Destruction

Tiarra Studmire

Osborn Hight School/Youth Initiatives Project


GUNS, THE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND LIFES ABDUCTION

CAUSING NOTHING BUT CONTROVERSY AND ERUPTION

U STILL DONT GET IT?

WELL LET ME MAKE IT WHERE U CAN UNDERSTAND

THERES NOTHING WORSE THAN A GUN AT HAND

THAN MAN WITH A GUN POINTING IT IN HIS HAND

THINK OF HOW FREE THE STREETS WOULD BE IF THE NEXT MAN WOULD JUST STOP AND THINK

THERE WOULDN'T BE AN INNOCENT BODY DROPPING EVERYTIME U TURNED AROUND OR EVERYTIME U BLINKED

EVERYDAY GUN VIOLENCE INCREASES LIKE THE INFECTION OF AIDS IN SOMEBODIES HOOD

YET THESE RAPPERS ADVERTISE SHOOTING AND KILLING EACH OTHER LIKE TAKING SOMEONES LIFE IS GRAVY OR LIKE ITS ALL GOOD

BUT TELL ME WUT WILL U DO WHEN THE TABLES ARE TURNED AND POINTING IN UR DIRECTION IS A GUN WOULD U THINK THATS FUN?

ITS TIME TO STOP IT ALL SO WILL U TAKE A STAND OR WILL U RUN?

Hugs Not Bullets

Shelton King
Duffield Middle School/Youth Initiatives Project

I think we need to stop shooting on New Year's Night. Some people get drunk and could shoot at a house of a little boy or girl. I think the shooting should stop. What if your kid was shot on New Year's Night, while you were at work? I think no one should have the right to shoot wherever they want, because someone's life could be in danger

New Tears Adding To The Struggle

Brittney King, Southeastern High School/ Youth Initiatives Project

Shut don’t go up I understand why they say. Every night on New Years awakening day, only thing there is to say; just another fool in Detroit today wanting to be heard and keep innocent individuals awake. I can’t sleep at night because of this New Year’s madness. Why can’t I just be at home with my family and feel safe? I don’t understand though who are they mad with. Maybe it’s the new years, new tears adding to the struggle. Its’ suppose to bring new age, wisdom, more understanding to overcome what troubles we perceive. New crime rate, but these folks seem to have lost fate and only add to concern. What brings this problem of gun fire, we must learn to demolish. How can it happen though? The problem doesn’t have a face to it and the not knowing children receive a negative influence following in the footsteps. I am sick of this, why wont it stop. Do they understand what goes up must come down? Now I understand why shut don’t go up.

What Goes Up Must Come Down

Tamira Crowell
Columbus Middle School/Youth Initiatives Project

The reason why people shouldn’t shoot on New Year’s Eve is because if you shoot up in the air, the bullet can come down and hit somebody. Everybody knows the saying, “what goes up must come down”. I don’t think its right for little kids to be crying for their parents or sleeping on the floor. I also don’t think its right for little kids to be worrying about other relatives in their family, if they are not with them that night.

When I was little, I used to always be scared on New Year’s Eve night. Now that I’m older and not scared as much, I can see that my little sister is scared. My family and I always go to church on New Year’s Eve night. When we go in the church or leave church, we have to run to our car. I remember two years ago, we were getting ready to go to my uncle’s house on New Year’s Eve night and bullets were flying. I just thank God that the bullets didn’t hit us.

Like my mom says, “what goes up must come down”.

Instrument of Death

Destiny Taylor
Columbus Middle School/Youth Initiatives Project

Hi. My name is Destiny Taylor and I am writing on shootings occurring on New Year’s Eve. In a way, there should not be shooting on New Year’s Eve night. I know New Years Eve is a time of and for joy. But, I just can not agree with the exception of letting guns be used to celebrate it, whether it’s on New Year’s Eve or not. Guns aren’t water guns—meaning toys. There are toy like guns made for children. But, even those are replicates of the real thing. Actually, children learn that its o.k. to play with it in such a manner. When they grow up, they could already be pros at using a gun in such events as New Year’s Eve.

If it’s that important to shoot on New Year’s Eve, play laser tag. You at least get to shoot something. All wouldn’t be lost. In addition to that, no one would get hurt, unless only having the poor sportsmanship of loosing in the game of laser tag. From prior knowledge, many people are affected by guns in shameful ways. On New Years Eve, they can’t walk around their house to even grab a cookie and a glass of milk. If they had a mansion, they couldn’t even enjoy the luxury features of it. I know they would be mad. You know, a gun is an instrument too--an instrument of death. So please, help out and don’t use guns on New Years Eve night. The term “bear arms” means to protect. Use it wisely.

Stop the Shooting

Vondenise "Vonnie" Pryor

Columbus Middle School/Youth Initiatives Project

Hugs Not Bullets is a campaign that kids can get into so they will not be on the streets. YIP helps youth to be the ones to talk about what they think about shooting on New Year's Day.

We should not be shooting on New Year's Day, becuase so many people can get hurt. People drink so much that they don't know who or what they may have shot or how many they have shot. Shooting on New Year's Day is like shooting someone you love so much. New Year's can be one of the most dangerous days of the year. A gun can be dangerous in a game on New Year's Day. People shoot because they have nothing to do or just because they enjoy it.

For kids, New Year's can be dangerous. Kids can easily get shot. What if they go outside for something? What if someone comes outside with them? They can get shot too. Can you see New Year's Day as a fun day? That can happen if people just stop all the shooting.

Shooting does not have to be one of things we can do on that day. We can watch TV. We can go to church. We should really think about shooting on that day.

Should we do it? People die everyday for shooting others. Gun violence is a major killer of black kids. Let's get guns off the streets.

The Questions I Ask

V’Lecea Hunter
University Prep high School/ Youth Initiative Project


When I think about people loosing their lives from gun violence, it automatically makes me ask the question “why”? Why do people take their anger out on their peers, strangers, and enemies? Why do people consider solving a conflict that they may have with themselves or others, with a gun? Does it give you power and respect? Who will benefit from this?

No one could answer these questions with a positive answer, so I had left it a lone until my uncle was killed due to gun violence. He was killed right in front of his house and now everyone has left it alone. He was killed due to someone trying to get respect. So, because this individual couldn’t get the respect he wanted, he decided to end someone’s life and that person was my uncle. He was shot one time in his back and died instantly and once that happened all of my questions were answered.

Some people take their anger out in using a gun because they don’t know what else to do. I feel as though people kill just to make them feel good because their self esteem is low. If they have a conflict within their self they would try to torture another person to make their life easier and normally they go after the person they may have had past experiences with or someone that intimidates them. It also gives them power because they have this weapon and they can direct everything. Now, on gaining respect, they may feel as though their gaining it but actually their loosing it.

We are loosing too many innocent people and it’s time that we start stepping up to the plate to protect our people and I will be the first to say that I am at the plate. I am ready for an end because I look at my little cousin’s everyday and just think “dang, my aunt has to raise all five of these kids by herself now. I know that she can do it, but it’s nothing like having your daddy in your life”. I know that they miss him and they tell me it and the only thing I can tell them is to be strong and be there for their mother because I know how they feel about not having a father. My father wasn’t in my life and I had to stay strong and listen to my grandfather’s, brother, and male cousin’s advice. So, that’s what I want them to do.

IT’S TIME TO TAKE A STAND, SO PLEASE TAKE IT NOW!! Let's support the Hugs Not Bullets Campaign by not using firearms to celebrate the New Year.

A Violent Pattern

Mariama McGhee
University Prep High School/Youth Initiatives Project

Over the years, gun violence in Detroit increased at an alarming rate. Gun violence is caused by adults and young people. The youth are either the victims or associated with gun violence. To me gun violence is a pattern that must be stopped. Too many young people use guns to solve their problems. Problems, if not corrected in time, can turn around and "bite you in the butt".
We are now seeing trends involving youth, who may be twelve or fourteen, using guns to resolve conflicts. This is a revolving pattern. If no one is courageous enough to stop gun violence, our generation's future can be bleak. We must learn to sympathize with each other's pain and learn to listen. Maybe, all of our misfortunes will stop. That is why we must support the Hugs Not Bullets Campaign.

Before I go, let me say this, "Violence is an untamed force. Don't try to calm it. Instead, learn to prevent it".

Fears

V’Lecea Hunter
University Prep High School/ Youth Initiatives Project


Today’s youth have been influenced by a culture of violence and a fear of “snitching”, which is speaking up for yourself, your community and wanting a change. As I look around and observe the teens in my work area, I can see that many of them view these negative morals as a sign of respect and a sense of character. I can also see that many of them are influenced by their parents. When parents are attempting to resolve a conflict with violence, their children believe they can do the same thing. However, parents want to chastise their children, and tell them they were in the wrong. I feel that parents contradict themselves and then want people, like me, to have pity on them.

Some days I just want to ask the question “why”? Why do some parents feel as thought they have to be immature and hang with the “in crowd”, in stead of being a parent to their children? No one could ever answer that question, but I eventually answered it myself. I realized that when parents are acting as if their immature, instead of being an adult, is because they want to be their children’s friends. It’s like their scared to face the consequences of being a parent.

The fear of “snitching” comes along through the parents because most children are raised that “tattle telling” is bad and snitching means the same thing. So, when children grow up they automatically think that “oh, no I can’t be a snitch because that means I’m tattle telling and my parents told me not to do that” or “I’m not the type of person that tells on people”. Parents need to explain to the teens that “tattle telling” is not good but being a “snitch” is good to a certain extent. A “tattle tell” is someone that tells on everyone and everything, no matter what it is. A “snitch” is a person that is willing to speak up and stop different crimes or actions that maybe happening in their neighborhood or in their surroundings. I believe that if every community had a person like that around, then the violence will be reduced. We need more people around that are willing to step up and gain respect.

In result of “snitching” things tend to lead to violence. Shooting occur, situations are exaggerated, and children are being harmed. I feel that we need more people around that are willing to step up and faced their own people; let their voices be heard and know that there are many more people in the world that is just as scared as they are. We just need that one individual to step up to the plate and put rules and regulations on the table, so that everyone can work as a TEAM!

GUN VIOLENCE

GUN VIOLENCE
By: Shaniqua Madison
Osborn High School/Youth Initiatives Project

Everyday I hear about children dying due to Gun Violence.

As a teenager I can understand why other teens use this to put their hated ones to silence.

But as children we need to understand there’s more to life.

Yeah, there is more to life. Hmm, but let me clarify that.

As children we need to understand there’s a better thing to do then risk being locked up for taking someone else’s life.

We are the future, a friend told me.

And as children we need to make a stand to show what we actually can be.

Young entrepreneurs doing something positive with our minds,

Not using Gun Violence, not committing crimes.

But taking a stand and showing everyone what’s really on our minds.

The sky is the limit; let’s believe this to the fullest.

So quit using Gun Violence and shouting out these bullets.

Leiah Jefferies
University Prep High School/ Youth Initiatives Project

It was a wonderful day in school and I had just returned to class from lunch. Everyone was excited because my teacher, Ms. Rosman, was bringing in a special guest to talk about Africa and its importance to our school. All of my fellow students were eager to see what was in store for us and so was I. Before the session began, my teacher called us in groups of five to go to the restroom before the speaker arrived. Since my group was closest to the door, we were first. As I was walking to the bathroom I heard someone crying in the creative writing room. I stopped to take a peak inside and to my surprise, it was my mom!

I was very shocked and instantly I rushed inside the room to investigate the problem. Walking up very scared and frighten I asked my mom why she was crying hysterically. She replied by giving me a strange look like something was terribly wrong, so I immediately starting crying with her. Not knowing what the problem was I stopped and asked one final time, and before she could say anything my uncle walked in and told me that my auntie and my four cousins were gone.

My aching heart was shredded into a million pieces when I heard the news that was being fed to my ears. My aunt’s boyfriend had recently had an argument with my aunt that day and he left the house and didn’t return. When he arrived later on, he attacked my aunt and strangled her to death. My cousin William tried to fight him off and protect his mother, but he got a lead pipe in the head in return. He crucially murdered all my cousins and my aunt until there was nothing left. My aunt’s boyfriend killed and brutally murdered some of the closet things that I’ve ever had and for that I will never forgive him!

This brings me to the Hugs Not Bullets campaign. It’s a campaign that promotes the importance of why gun and domestic violence should be stopped. Every year around Christmas and New Years Eve, people have the urge to shoot in the sky and shoot at things that shouldn’t be shot at. People are just taking the holiday tradition to a lower level and the Youth Initiative Project (YIP) is here to put an end to it. As a result of our campaign, last year there was a drop in the incidents of shooting on New Years Eve, and this year we want even more. We do not want gun violence, domestic violence, or any violence at all. We want peace…