I found out last week that Halloween is a major gang initiation day in many parts of Brooklyn and East New York, including the area I work in at the high school in Cypress Hills. This could mean many things, but basically it's chaos. On the friendly side kids are egging houses, but gang initiation could mean many more awful, scary, and dangerous things as well. Many kids skip school that day, or walk in groups to avoid getting caught up in something dangerous. Most born and raised New Yorkers that I've talked to are used to it. They know which areas of the city to avoid and just stay in on Halloween.
The pressure kids face these days is tremendous. Especially those that do not have a solid, loving family or community to turn to, they may see gangs as just that. Which for me, goes to show that everyone needs to feel accepted, needs to feel loved, needs to feel wanted. If only we can get to them before Halloween.
As cheesy as this may seem, it really is trick or treat. I've always been a sweets girl myself. Happy Halloween!
p.s. Now, this is the stuff Halloween should be made of. Am I right, or am I right.
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