Stop

Having been born and raised in Chicago, you can definitely tell there is a huge bias in favor of the city whenever I speak of it. Chicago is the best city in the world, from the food to the diverse neighborhoods to the night life to our lake front and downtown area and then there is the sports! While in Chicago you would have to try very hard to avoid finding something that tickles your fancy. However, every beautiful woman has a dark side and Chicago is no different. Some may argue it's Chicago's corrupt politics or hiring process/scandals, thank you Blago or they may argue it's the city's ridiculously high taxes on everything. Both sides could make compelling arguments but neither compare with the trick of the week, gangs.

In an FBI study, published by the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago had four neighborhoods in the top 25 of worst areas in the country, with the highest ranking coming in at second. Really?!? Four out of 25 in the country is flat out embarrassing. And given the rampant violence that ensued on Chicago's south side, where 11 were killed and many others injured, it appears our gang members are beefing up their efforts to not only keep their 'hoods on the list but raise their position.

The gang violence needs to stop! And gang bangers need to be dealt with more harshly by our police officers and community members. These individuals are not only leaving our magnificent city with a black eye but they are also killing off our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and friends. They quarrel over turf and can not coexist due to a fear of dissed. Gang members truly are the scum of the earth and the life style led by these thugs is nothing to glorify. They feed addictions with their unmonitored distribution of drugs and kill those in their way. What about this life style is appealing? Because the money is fleeting and the power is limited to the bullet. A much better effort must be made by everyone to ensure our brothers or sister do not join their ranks. It's the only way we can save a generation and take our streets back.