Friend or Foe

A community that I wanted to write about would have to be the gang community.  I just want to be clear that I am not in any way or form in a gang or ever have been. However, many of my love ones for my neighborhood where in little clicks or clubs so at an early age I knew what a gang was and what they were all about. Growing up in North Oakland I have seen gangs come and go. To some people in my neighborhood their gang was all they had, or all they were ever taught to love. Some of the gang members that I have come across where people from the same neighborhood that they have grown up with or friends and family who are down for the cause whatever that may be. I have seen members interact with each other as another sort of family. The gang members look out for one another and holding the other accountable for his or her actions. I have seen some gangs interact with each other very violently, and others would not hurt a fly. From what I have encountered the goal of a gang is to make money, respect the code whatever it is, and protect its members

From the people that I have encountered in neighborhood gangs, they so choose to be in that gang and know the risk and limitation of being involved. I know also that you can be born into a gang as well if your family is seriously with the business.  Some people join gangs because they need protection, others just for the family oriented environment of it all. I personally thought growing up that the risk far out weighted the strengths of being in a gang. In my neighborhood their where not many peaceful gangs, a lot of my friends lost their lifes in the “Fonk” or battles. It still bothers me to this day that my love ones get so raped up in the hood life that they can’t see that grinding and hassling will not get you far, you might get by for a while but the percentage who make it are slim to none. I at the same time admire my neighborhood folks that are living the struggle that they have the heart to stand up and be proud of the neighborhood they came from and stuck with what they where thought because it was all they know. I dislike the people who know better but what to join a gang just because, people who pretend to live the life. I dislike the people who join gangs knowing that they had the opportunity to do some then must more great in their life’s. I dislike gangs but I understand the purpose of one and wished my brothers and sisters stuck together in a peaceful and unified manor .I wished my people would realize that life is too short to go through it with regrets and not making the most out of your time on earth.

Performance

Throughout my time here at year up I have learned many interesting facts that go along with being a student and how to carry myself in a professional manor. I have learned the way you carry yourself and the way you present yourself all effects the perception in which people look at you. I learned that simple things such as handshakes and eye contact are big aspects out of many one must respect in the business world. I believe I performed well for module 1 my grade for tech class was very good and I believe my business communication grade is OK.  An area that I believe I need to work on would have to be my writing, still believe it could use some work in it. I would like to work on my writing more, it gives me a chance to express myself and by developing more skills I can see it only help me in my career as I continue to practice.

My Neighborhood "55"

I am who I am today because of the neighborhood I was raised in, it helped shaped the person that I am today. I was born and raised in Oakland CA; Mother gave birth to me at home. I love my neighborhood. I love my community. I believe under the circumstances the people from my neighborhood are solid. Both of my parents are from Oakland and both were raised together from the same neighborhood. Growing up I had nothing but respect in my neighborhood, undeniable love you can say. I have two older brothers who I was raised with and they always gave me a since I could do anything, as long as I did not do what they did wrong.

 My neighborhood growing up was more like a family, everyone new everybody and the support was always there. I say I love my neighborhood because I still respect my love one’s that are still their holding it down. My neighborhood growing up mostly was derived of African American and still mostly is. I say people in my neighborhood are better than their circumstance because I see a whole lot growing up, some good and bad, but mostly bad, but I say this because there are families trying to make the most out of their situation. I see people who are striving for the best, expecting the worse, people who put in the work, trying to make the most out of their time here on earth. I respect my neighborhood because it has been through a lot. I feel has if I am rooted to my neighborhood and I want to be able to give back to my hood in some way.  I want to be able to buy the same house my grand pa used to live in and support my family the same way he did, With Power, love, and Respect

Poverty Business

 From my classes reading I think it is safe to say that many companies have been accelerating the opportunity divide because they are choosing to increase the interest rates on low income families, and people who do not understand the fine print of a contract and they tax them and keep them in debt. I do not really understand why things are this way.  I feel as if people also put them self in these type of situations.  I was taught growing up that the government will try to work (mistreat) you in any way they can because they need all they can get. So really I think that it is up to the person whether or not you want to put your self in that type of situation or you can ask questions and figure out what is really going on and set out a plan for yourself on how and when you can make a payment happen and if you can afford it. I think this reading mostly talks about being aware of your bills and debt and interest rates. Being able to balance all these things will keep you out of bad credit and high interest rates. I believe the government has the most to do with why things are the way they are today. Instead of helping the people that pay taxes and other things the government will take everything you have ever worked for to see that their economy doesn’t go bad and that your debts has been paid. Even in death we are not able to escape debt, it will be transferred to your closest living relative and I think that is just an example on how shady the government is. Things have always been this way so I do not understand why people still do not take the action needed to get out of this type of situation.  We should be aware of these things and make the necessary actions to see that are friends and familys do not end up in poverty on a contract technicality.

Life In Focus

Hello my name is David Triplette-Jackson. I am 20 years old from Oakland CA. I am currently a student at Year up Bay Area. Year up is a one year internship program focusing on Computer Technology and businesses educate classes. I joined this program because technology and education has always been a passion of mines. I still remember staying up all night playing my first computer game and have been hooked ever since. This program also provides 13 college credits so I thought that was perfect for me and what I need to achieve in life. Since only one of my older brothers of family have been to college it have always been stressed that I need to go to college to make a better life for myself and my family. I was in foster care for 11 years so I always wanted to go back and show my family that I have made something of myself. I joined Year Up so I would be able to set that bar high for my family, to show that I can complete something of worth. As I have grown I learned that just working to pay check to pay check will not be enough. I learned that I need to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone if I want to make myself proud. I joined year up because it motivates me that I have a chance to be the best person I can be.