Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Five Open Letters form the Students at Banana Kelly High School to Mr. Rubén Díaz Jr.

April 28th, 2011

Dear Rubén Díaz Jr.:

I Appreciate what you are trying to do to save our home the Bronx, but I feel there is more you can do. When you came to our school, you spoke to us about your anti-violence campaign and how it has helped the Bronx. I feel like it isn't that successful. Everyday we are trying to survive out here, an everyday, every week someone we love is dying.

When you came to our school we asked you about putting more garbage cans in the neighborhood, and you said you would take care of it. Nothing was done, there are still not enough garbage cans from Longwood Avenue between Prospect and Southern Blvd. An issue I think important, that you should have addressed are all of the school closings that are happening in the Bronx. Don't you have a say on those issues? Can't you see this school is the only safe place left that we have? This is our home and where we spend most of our time. I think violence is an important issue in the Bronx, but school closings I feel is also an issue that deserves more attention from you.

Form,

A.L.


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April 28th, 2011

Dear Rubén Díaz Jr.:

The Bronx is my hometown, and I feel every place we go to or visit will have flaws. Couldn't you agree? We can't just cover things up like we are perfect. The day you came to Banana Kelly High School, I felt like your only goal was to get us to understand about your anti-gun campaign. Did you have an understanding of what we said to you?

The Bronx is not what you were trying to tell us it was. You asked everyone in my class what they see when they picture the Bronx? I see a place with possibilities. The Bronx will always have its flaws and problems, in order to fix the Bronx you have to understand the Bronx will never be perfect.

Sincerely,

R.B.


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April 28th, 2011

Dear Rubén Díaz Jr.:

Hello, my name is L.B. You came to visit my school Banana Kelly High School not too long ago this year. When you were here you spoke about your guns off the street campaign. You also spoke to us about violence in the Bronx. I feel like violence overall is something you can't stop. Taking away guns is not going to bring any justice. What about all the other weapons? People will find anything to use, to be violent.

Just yesterday one of my closest friends was shot on Fordham Road, and later pronounced dead. Taking away guns to stop violence sounds brilliant, but we all know that its impossible to get all guns off the streets. As far as getting $1000 reward for snitching on someone with a gun and yes it is snitching, I find it irrelevant. How about instead promote anyone that has a gun can bring it to a drop off point, and they would still get the reward without being arrested? I think that you would get more young people to turn in more guns. After all, there are so many young people who sell drugs because of a lack of money.

Instead of being so quick to arrest someone, and then reward someone else, why not find a better solution to gun violence? The people that chose to snitch would also have their lives placed in danger because of what they said.

Sincerely,
L.B.


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April 28th, 2011

Dear Rubén Díaz Jr.:

I appreciate the fact that you are trying to clean up the streets, trying your best to stop gun violence. Your method of doing this is pretty good, though it has some downfalls. Your removing guns and people who have used them, but at the same time your possibly taking away someone's mother, father, sister or brother who may be providing for their family.

People in the Bronx like that you are making an effort, this is the first real effort I've seen to actually do something about the violence in our neighborhoods. You are removing fear from people's hearts, but at the same time you are breaking a family's heart by sending their loved one to jail.

Maybe instead of jail you can implement some other form of consequence? We know that people have guns, but there are some who have been pressured to have a gun to defend themselves. If a person is found carrying a gun or an arrest is made from the gun but the person is found innocent, maybe jail time can be minimized? I appreciate what you are doing but it needs a few adjustments.

From,
J.R.


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Dear Rubén Díaz Jr.:

Hello Mr. Díaz, I like what you are doing to help save our hometown the Bronx. I love the Bronx. I've lived here all my life. Many people think the Bronx is a bad place, because of the negative things that happen here, but bad things happen everywhere.

I like the idea of someone turning in a gun, and if the gun leads to an arrest the person receives $1,000, but there are some problems with this plan. What happens to that person when they go back to their hood and everybody knows that he/she is the hood snitch? How would you or the police protect the person from getting jumped, hurt is maybe killed? What happens if the person turning in the gun is stopped by the police on their way to the station? Will the cops really believe that they are turning in that gun?

Many think the Bronx is bad, and it can be because of all the teenagers that don't have people who care for them. Also so many teenagers don't have family that they can talk to. I think that to make the Bronx a safer and better place more programs for kids and teens should be created to keep them off the streets.

Sincerely,

T.P.

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