Carlos Bellorin

Dead or in Jail

As a young man growing up in a bad neighbourhood, it seems like you only have two options, ending up dead or in jail. It's up to you to realize that your options are endless and that you don’t have to succumb to the pressures of your environment. At the same time, even if you reject the street life of selling drugs, robbing or joining a gang, how can you escape your friends that are involved with things they shouldn’t be or being put into situations that are out of your control? It is almost inevitable to avoid the bullets or handcuffs. This piece touches on my own experiences. Furthermore, the handcuffs to me touch upon the topic of police in these communities that at times seem to do more bad than good.