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PSA 
GANG AFFILIATIONFor many African American & Latina/o youth who are raised in communities of systemic brokenness (poverty, violence, etc) gang affiliation is a natural way of life. For many, there are no alternative options. There are nuances to be considered. (1/5)
For some, their family affiliation is 3-4 generations deep. It's woven into the fabric of the family identity, similar to religion. To walk away is not simply a 'death sentence', its worse, a life of lonely banishment from their own family structure. (2/5)
For some, it's making a life-altering decision at the age of 10 because they're tired of being jumped while walking home from the corner store, playground, school.
For some, it's about finally receiving positive affirmation from a male figure of the same ethnicity. (3/5)
For some, it's about finally receiving positive affirmation from a male figure of the same ethnicity. (3/5)
For some, they want to wile out in their depravity.
For all, it's a way to cope with the deep saturation of hopelessness that reigns in our communities. They are layers of pain that systemically bombard us, non-stop. (4/5)
For all, it's a way to cope with the deep saturation of hopelessness that reigns in our communities. They are layers of pain that systemically bombard us, non-stop. (4/5)
So please, withhold judging an individual when headlines share they were affiliated. Growin’ up in the hood is very complicated. This is why we need the whole Gospel and the whole Church. (5/5)
