My Lousy Neighborhood

Daisy C.

6/7/12

Per.1

My Lousy Neighborhood

            In my neighborhood, there’s a lot of fucking cholos. Especially near the mini liquor stores. The street that always has cholos in it, day and night is 54^th St. Every time I pass by there, they’re always there on their fucking bikes talking to some guy that I know and trying to pick up hynas. That’s fucking annoying! The good thing is that they always see me passing by and they know who I am already, so they don’t do shit to me like they do to other unknown peeps that are in their barrio.

Also, every time I go out for a walk, I always fucking hear people driving by with some fucking loud ass music. OMFA! Wallah, I feel like getting a rock and just throwing it at that asshole, especially if that son of a bitch is playing corridos! It’s like, “Foo, we can fucking tell you’re Mexican! There is no fucking need for you to show that shit off. Trust bro, you ain’t the only beaner in this fucking hood, chill bro!” Ugh, that shit gets on my fucking nerves!!!

Also, in the streets, there is always a group of guys that are checking out every fucking bitch that passes by. Just seeing their fucking mouth drool and their eyes looking at that bitchs’ ass gets me annoyed. Like, what the fuck bro, mind your own Goddamn fucking business you piece of shit! Obviously she ain’t yours and will never be. Get over it!

At night, all the fucking dogs start barking and don’t fucking let me sleep for shit. And to top it off, the fucking horny ass cats are outside crying and begging to get laid and are having catfights to decide who wins and fucks the girl cat. Worse of all, the winning price, is MY cat! -____- That bitch ends up getting pregnant every other month and even before she is finished raising the kittens, her fucking ass is horny and wants sex again-.- Shit, I wished condoms for cats existed #NoLie -.-

And there is always some problems going on because practically everyday, the police has to come by and arrest people. I still cannot believe that I live in a fucking, shitty neighborhood like that. Even though I live in between all that crap, I wouldn’t want to move because I’ve lived in Maywood my whole life and all my friends live nearby and we always do stupid shit like paintball shooting in the middle of the streets when people are walking by and all that crap. That is something that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

In the neighborhood that I live, there are a lot of gang members. Especially next to the liquor stores. The street that is always full of them is 54^th street. Whenever I pass by, the gangsters are on their bikes and flirting with women. It’s annoying having to see that everyday. The only good thing about that is that they know me and never do nothing to me like they do to strangers.

Whenever I decide to go out for a nice walk, I always hear cars passing by with extremely loud music. It annoys me so much because they’re in the streets and other people may not like the type of music they’re playing. Also, maybe the music that they’re playing could be disrespectful to someone. The type of music that gets me mad is when they’re playing corridos at full volume. The first thing that pops in my mind when I hear someone playing that type of music is that it’s obvious that you’re Mexican and proud of it but there is really no reason to show it off.

Around the corner from my house, there is always a group of guys that love to check out every girl that passes by. When I look at them, I can see their mouth drool and their eyes popping out while they’re looking at her gluteus Maximus or chest. I think it’s funny when guy’s check out girls because to me that is like saying that they can’t get the real thing and rather stare knowing that will never be theirs.

Every night, the dogs bark and don’t let me sleep. Also, the street cats are outside my window, calling my cat so that they could hook up. Even before my cat is done raising her kittens, she ends up being pregnant again. I honestly wished condoms for cats existed.

I admit that I live in a neighborhood that most people wouldn’t like and will be gone in less than 3 months. I do not live in a very clean or safe neighborhood but I got used to it because I’ve lived in Maywood my whole life. I live near all my close friends and I always have fun adventures with them. I wouldn’t trade my lousy neighborhood for anything in the world.

                                                              

Boys Vs. Girls

Martha D L

Period 1

5/22/12

Boys Vs. Girls

Boys and girls have always been treated differently from one another. Boys think highly of themselves, thinking that they’re always better than girls.  Although out history girls were always told that their place was at home, that they didn’t have a future greater than that, unlike their male counterparts. Cooking, cleaning, and tending the children seemed like that was the only skills that a woman can do.  There was even laws that limited the rights of women, like the right to vote.

In the past, many companies wouldn’t hire women because they’re thought that a man could do a better job. Even when women could find a job they would get lower wages than men.  Women were also treated poorly in their working environment. Many employees and even the employers would sexually harass them. Many women wouldn’t report these incidents because it was a fairly common thing and didn’t think much of it. But the few that did the police would just shrug it off or ignore them. It’s just only recently the past the past decades those women started getting more and more independent. Taking the jobs of men and taking place in our legal system. 

But still even with all the progress we made women are still given the image that they are no more than housewives and mothers. Popular shows today like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad display the lead female roles as well sanitary housewives and kind and loving, but often dimwitted, mothers. Even our favorite childhood cartoons are the same. The Rugrats, Dexter’s Laboratory, and Fairly Odd Parents are all examples of this.                

Children Forgotten

Christina M

Honors English Period 1

5/14/12

Children Forgotten                 

“Our mission at Adopted – Abused is to collect data on adoption abuse from the adoptees themselves: to make the world a safer, better monitored place, FOR THE CHILDREN”(Adopted-Abused).  That’s the mission statement of Adopted-Abused, a website/blog where victims of foster abuse can anonymously share their stories with others.

           Being an adopted child myself I was curious of others’ stories. After reading these entries my curiosity turned to rage and disbelief at how much and how long the system has been failing the children left in their care.

            A report released in 1996 states that “12,000 children out of about 60,000 in foster care that [New York] City caseworkers cannot immediately locate”(The Lost Children). Since then the number of children in foster care has risen yet the system still seems to be in crisis. ABC News reports of “…evidence of falsified reports and cover-ups within the state’s Department of Children and Families…”(Foster Children).  As horrible as it sounds, loosing the children is not the worst part of this story. Many children are adopted, but not always into loving arms.

            The rules in place require monthly visits to ensure the safety of the child but these rules are often ignored. One foster mother says, “Only one of them had ever visited her home despite state rules requiring monthly visits”(The Lost Children). There are so many children looking for a home that the system struggles to keep up. “The system has lost it’s focus... All it seems to want to do is get a kid into a foster home, no matter whether it’s a good home for the child, then forget about him”

(The Lost Children). This results in children being shuffled from one relative to the next, one foster family to the next, in and out of the system, and, it their lucky, with a loving family. If their not lucky, which seems to be the case more and more often, with abusers and even criminals. Another foster mother “…who has been twice convicted on fraud and theft charges, says caseworkers knew about her criminal record”(Foster Children).

Adopting children from overseas seems to have become the latest trend with Hollywood celebrities andmakes it easy for people to turn a blind eye to the troubles facing adopted children right here in our communities. “Former foster children have surpassed veterans as the number one group in California’s homeless shelters. 40 percent of foster kids wind up on the street…”(Foster Kids). Part of the reason for this is adopted teens being thrown out or voluntarily leaving their adopted parents, getting away from the emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.

            Some of the entries are hard to read. You start to question how this can be going on, possibly right next door, and no one seems to be doing a damn thing. The system has failed us and yet we do nothing. People feeling like no one is listening but refusing to be ignored. They share their stories via blog hoping someone will listen. Many people tell of the sexual abuse they had to endure. “He[adoptive father]raped me at age 4…till I was 8…he took away my innocence”(Adopted-Abused). She was thrown out at age 16. No one in the system ever noticed she was gone.

            Others have been emotionally and physically abused admitting things like “ I also got hangers around my neck” “there was no love in our family” “I was left with with adults who used me as if I was their toy.” “I was hungry other times I wasn’t allowed to eat”(Adopted-Abused). Left in abusive homes by the system. Left to fend for themselves. There are many more who have not told their storied. Either too afraid or too young to be taken seriously. Some still in the grips of abusive adoptive parents. Myself and a handful of others  were lucky to get the adoptive parents that

we have. For all the others who were lost or abused, there needs to be change in the system. Starting with blogs and websites like Adopted-Abused we could make those changes that are so desperately needed. Needed so that there are no more entries that end with “ I regret being adopted. I wish I were dead instead”(Adopted-Abused).

The Earthquake

David D.

Period 4 Image Project

June 4, 2012 

My dad was one of the few volunteers to the search and rescue team named Cruz Ambar who trained incase of an emergency. He did this mostly because he wanted to be ready in case something would happen. His greatest fear was that he would not be able to save us or rather not know what to do. He had many jobs in his life which all leave him with a desire. Her had always wanted to be a firefighter but he could not because he needed money, which he did not have. So he did the next best thing joined the Cruz Ambar. He joined and found close to what he was looking for. With a happy heart he trained tirelessly and was left with his desire fulfilled.

They were taught that whenever danger strikes they must answer the call.

The day stuck when he finally got called. The natural disaster happened in “1985 Mexico City earthquake, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake that struck Mexico City on the early morning of 19 September 1985 at around 7:19 am (CST),

Caused the deaths of at least 10,000 people and serious damage to the greater Mexico City Area. “ (wikipedia) My father knew this was what all his training was for. He made sure my mother and brother were ok and left to the disaster relief organization. He went to the capital and helped to take out burning victims from the building even though his own life was in danger. He told me of the rescued people were horribly deformed or burned and scared for life. “The Mexico City earthquake was the most catastrophic in the country's history. More than 10,000 people were killed, 30,000 were injured, and large parts of the city were destroyed. About 6,000 buildings were flattened and quarter of a million people lost their homes”(BBC). Some of the people were so charred to a crisp that when he tried to pull the arm of the (the still alive person) his skin and arm peeled off. He went at this for days and nights entirely trying his best to save as many as he possibly could. Some people though were so burned they could not be recognized.  He then was switched to the department were he had to put the bodies in graves. The bodies were stuck in a certain position and they had to be put into the coffin forcefully. He was amazed at the destruction that happened in just five minutes. Yet he was not traumatized because he had seen death before and he knew he had a responsibility to do in lay them to rest. Many people died that day but many were saved by the efforts of those who risked their lives to save those trapped. My dad still remembers this day with a lot of clarity and tells me frequent stories of people he knew that died. I admire my dad and his companions for the risk they took. 

Issues : Reform

David D.

Period 4

June 4, 2012 

                                                                          Reform

Immigration reform, what is a reform first of all? Many people feel strongly about approving it but not many know what immigration reform is and how it affects those living illegally.  Immigration reform is a:

[Immigration reform] is also widely used to describe proposals to increase legal immigration while decreasing illegal immigration, such as the guest worker proposal supported by George W. Bush Illegal immigration is a controversial issue in the United States. Proponents of greater immigration enforcement argue that illegal immigrants cost taxpayers an estimated $338.3 billion dollars and jeopardize the safety of law enforcement officials and citizens, especially along the Mexican border. (Wikipedia).

In other word the immigration reform would give illegal immigrants the chance to become resident and then after a test become full on citizens.  This gives the opportunity for many to become a valued member of this amazing Country. Many of the immigrants here have done nothing wrong but tried to pursue a normal life or as the Declaration of Independence states  "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" (Declaration of Independence). This was put in the Declaration because it meant something to the founding fathers. The American people take so much pride in the building blocks that started this nation yet they are denying these rights to the Men of other countries. These rights are unalienable and should be given to everyone. It upsets me because; I have seen a grown man on television cry about him believing in the Declaration of Independence and that he would die for all that its stands for and yet when they asked this man what he thought about immigration he responded by saying he thought they should go home. Now I believe in the Declaration and all that it stands for but I believe it stand for equality for all Men in this great country including those who were already here. All that we need is amnesty for the immigrants who are here already. Issues like this should be taken into consideration and not ignored because this is only going to turn into a bigger problem, its better to solve it now by allowing amnesty towards the people who are protected by rights far more important than those written they are protected by GOD given rights.

Double Voicing Maywood City

David D.

Period 4

English H.

06/04/12

Double Voicing About Maywood City

My town is kind of dirty I guess, but it’s a place I can call home. I’m comfy in this place makes me feel like its pretty badass place to grow up in. Some people here are friendly but other are complete dicks! It happens in all neighborhoods from time to time you get that annoying neighbor who screams. As long as you ignore these people it’s a pretty nice place. It has some places were you can get pretty cheap Chinese food.  And a McDonalds like everywhere else. There is a riverbed that kind of makes us unique in both ways one way is because the riverbed is dirty and another reason is that it’s a good place to do some exercise. Well most of the other cities are way nicer than Maywood. I’m glad I grew up here met some awesome people. They have a lot of parks, which get awesome because people in this area love to play soccer and hangout.  It’s a place where I can walk around at night without being scared and being judged.  

            The schools that I went to were pretty cool but the schools were dirty all of my life. The teachers were mostly nice except for the ladies at the registration office they are real bitches and I mean the nastiest fastest things I have ever seen.  Their attitude is horrible they think cause they have “power” at school they can be bitches with everyone. Like if their job was something out of this world. Anyone can replace them and do maybe an even better job.  Teachers are better sometimes, I like the fact how it seems impossible to them how one person can multitask and talk and do their work. They don’t like to loose even if they are wrong. They don’t admit it. Other than that it’s an ok place to go to school around this area.

              I moved to Maywood a couple of days ago it was so nice. Seems like it’s peaceful town. This town is somewhat small this is good because the food and markets are pretty close by. The riverbed makes it look ghetto in other words but still kind of quiet but only during the day. There’s a party every weekend so far I had been only been here for two weeks and I can tell they have a lot of parties. There’s a church near by seems most of the people in this town are catholic I see them all lined up on Saturday morning waiting to go in to church its kind of funny though never seen such a small town with nearly all its members gathered in one place. It’s a new experience there’s old houses new houses and I believe someone got murdered about a week ago. This is weird, never heard about so much hate in a town that they kill themselves.  

           

Corruption in Mexico

Jorge G.

Period 4

June 4, 2012 

          My Grandfather was a very strict person. Especially with my aunts and uncles but when he joined the Mexican FBI. He was either in his early thirties or late twenties. One story my parents told me was that he was gone at times for weeks and later come back worth money, so we think he was corrupt. According to The LA Times “A study this year by Transparency Mexico found that Mexicans paid about $2.6 billion in bribes in 2007, or more than $24 each on average”(Ellingwood).  Many Mexican police and government officials have been bribed and made millions and just keeping their mouths shut. But bad things happen once you talk.

            One day my grandpa was driving on a road in his truck and did not notice that a car was following him. I guess that her pulled over and the man got close to him and shot him.  He was killed instantly. I asked my parents and my grandmother why they killed him but they are not sure. I personally think that because he was corrupt. He made some people angry, and they decided to kill him. According to the BBC “Mexico is suffering a wave of violence, mostly linked to the drugs trade. The 20 officers in the convoy in Jalisco were on patrol when they were attacked by gunmen in at least 10 sport utility vehicles, said a police statement. Nine officers were killed, while a 10th is still missing”(BBC).  Even today there are many police officers that are killed because they talk too much or they either try to stop drug trafficking.

            My grandfather was interesting because he was part of the corruption in Mexico just when it was beginning. To my family, and me he was a terrible man. My father remembers him as a drunk and bad dad to him and his entire family.

           

           

            

They United Their Lives Happily

Alejandra R.

Period 4

June 4, 2012 

 

My parents met in Zamora, Michoacán when my mother was 16 and my father was 18. They met through my father’s best friend, which was also my mother’s older brother. The first time they met was when my uncle, Tony introduced them. My father thought my mom was young and innocent, therefore he didn’t pay attention to her, but one day when he was walking through my grandmother’s house to pick up my uncle Tony he saw my mother through a glass window and from that day on he knew he was interested in her.

After seeing her that day he felt the need to be introduced to her again and my uncle Tony was annoyed to do that, but he still did. My father eventually asked my mother out on an ice skating date and it went well.

After four years of dating they got engaged and had a kid together. My father had to move from Mexico to United States with no papers so he crossed the boarder in 1984 illegally from Tijuana, Mexico straight to Bell, California to start working. My dad didn’t last a month in America he eventually went back to Mexico to see his new born baby and wife.

After several years of working a friend of my dad’s asked him if he wanted to cross the boarder again to work and my dad did need the money because they had just bought a house in Mexico. So he crossed the boarder in 1989 and once again he didn’t last long and he went back because he missed his family.

The third time my father decided to cross the boarder he didn’t want to leave his family behind so my mother and brother came along. At that time my sister was born and she was one year old my mother carried her across the boarded the same way my father has crossed the boarder through Tijuana, Mexico.

This time they lasted many years in California. I was born here. After years went by my mother decided to stay in California for my sibling’s education and mine. My father got papers and then helped my siblings and mother get papers. Now and then we go vacation in Mexico and the plan is when my dad retires and he sees that me and my siblings are ready to make our own life they’re going to move back to Mexico.

“Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life”(John F. Kennedy). I have to agree with this wise man because America would not be America with out all the immigrants working.

Work Cited

John F Kennedy. 1965. April 6, 2012.

Immigration

To live a better life,

is to have plans that shine.

To think we can grow our dreams,

till they explode and sink.

Many come to this country for a better life for our families,

immigration is a big issue,

but we cry and we need tissue,

we walk hard everyday to make a life,

we think we will be okay

we all hope for a brighter day

we dream,

we think,

and we believe.

Grandfather Medina

Cindy M.

Period 4

June 4, 2012 

Grandfather Medina

          I never met my grandfather in person because he died at age 54 of a heart attack, but growing up I heard a lot of stories of him. The story that I like most is when my grandmother told me how she and my grandfather met. She told me that they were young she was 14 and my grandfather was 15. What caught my grandmother’s eyes was the fact that my grandfather’s shoes and how clean they were. My grandmother told me that my grandfather worked even though is parents were against it my grandfather worked at a very young age. My grandmother told me that one time that they use to do like fairs in La Barca, Jalisco and my grandfather was there. So my grandfather seen my grandmother and he try to talk to her but my grandmother didn’t want to talk to him. So grandfather insisted and so my grandmother fell in love with him. So they got married and my grandmother moved in with my grandfather. They lived such a beautiful life together up until my grandfather’s death. My grandmother then came to the United States. She never dated anyone else she just took care of her kids, and her granddaughters now. I think marriage back then was way better than right now. Right now people get divorce and don’t take marriage seriously anymore. People now in our generation get married and then divorced and then they get marry again. Marriage should just be to one person for the rest of your life. “Informally, however, there are rules that constrain choices, most importantly those related to class and ethnicity. People 

usually marry after a period of formal engagement that can last several years”. Street-Porter, Tim. Casa 

Mexicana: La arquitectura, el diseño, y el estilo de México, 1995. Web. April 16, 2012

An engagement can last longer than now and days people’s marriage. Now people forget the meaning 

of marriage and can change their partners whenever they desire to.

Marriage Symbol

Marriage is not a disparage

So why do people treat like it’s a season

People leave and sign a divorce for no reason

What ever happen to until “death does us apart”?

I guess its okay to love someone again from the start

Marriage is no joke

But the vows could be broke

Should marriage now still be an example to us about love

An exchange of “I do’s” right from the man above

I look at our grandparents and parents and wonder if I would get that lucky

Or would I just get something sucky

A symbol is representation

And marriage is just illusion

Marriage is not a symbol

WORK CITED

“Mexico”

Every Culture in Mexico, 2010. Web. April 16, 2012.

Vietnam War

          

Angel G.

Period 4

June 4, 2012

             My uncle was in the Vietnam War. He was always fit and active. When he left to Vietnam it was hard for him to get used to the weather. It was harsh for him since he did not know anyone in his infantry. The training he went through was hard, but he was determined to fight for his country. No matter what situation he was in he would always find a way to get out of the problem.

            “The Viet Cong would attack in ambushes, set up booby traps, and escape through a complex network of underground tunnels”(Vietnam War). If my uncle had made a wrong turn onto enemy territory he would have been a goner. But my uncle was not dumb he knew what was right from wrong so he would figure out what he needed to do and follow directions from his captain. For all of the U.S. soldiers it is hard for them to walk around roaming the territory instead they all have to walk cautiously because it was not safe. “Viet Cong patrols were sent out to ambush and clear the area of our patrols to keep the way open to conduct raids of their own, and the American and South Vietnamese armies sent out counter-patrols to counter these, which turned Vietnam into a constant back-and-forth battlefield of hundreds of small but fierce firefights day and night”(Counter-Guerrilla). The Viet Cong know their territories very well so they knew which way to go and were to cut off routes are.