Gun Violence

“Gun Violence in Chicago.”

By: Erik Lopez    



Imagine you are walking down the beautiful streets of Chicago. Or just cruising down the streets at night, while the amazing lights of downtown Chicago is shining down at you. Then bam! The people around you are shot. Or even worse, you are shot. This is gun violence. It could happen to anyone. It could come from gangs, criminals, or even from police intervention. Thousands of people are distraught from this problem. They protest against the C.P.D day and night. Though the Police dept. are just as frustrated as the citizens are. What seems to be the source of this gun violence?

                Statistics



Why is this important? Considering the fact it can happen to you or one of your loved ones. Gun Violence is a problem and it’s growing rapidly. According to the Brady Campaign, a campaign that is trying to find solutions to gun violence, “Every day,  48 children and teens are shot in murder, assaults, suicides attempts, Unintentional shootings, and police intervention.” This quote explains the number of kids and teens that are killed just in Chicago due to gun violence. Unfortunately that's only in Chicago , according to the article, “ Every day,  306 people in America are shot in murders,assaults, suicides and  suicides attempts, unintentional shootings, and police intervention.” This quote explains the vast majority of people that shot and killed due to gun violence. Wait, how do people get guns anyways?


Illinois is one of the toughest, if not the toughest state to get a hold of a firearm. Due to the amount of gun violence occurring in Illinois currently. But you may ask yourself, Why is there still gun violence? The reason why is because people get their firearms from surrounding states such as Indiana. Indiana’s gun regulations are more of a quick cinch compared to Illinois. People just go there instead of the gun shops here found in Illinois. More and more guns are flowing to the streets of Chicago due to this. According to WYCC PBS Chicago, “Chicago PD had confiscated more than 7,600 guns in the past year. And cook county had confiscated more than 1,300 guns in the past year also.” And all these guns are from Indiana. (One of the surrounding states of Illinois.) This is increasing at an alarming rate.

Chicago is known to have to most gun violence out of the whole U.S!   According to CNN news, “Chicago has already received 144 homicides and up to 43% over 2015 so far." Although that not all, " ... Chicago has more homicides and shooting than any other cities... In fact some people call the city 'Chiraq'. It draws the side of Chicago's south side and Iraq's war zone." `1`This shows that Chicago draws much attention for gun violence. These quotes explains the dangers that could happen in Chicago. But what are local enforcements doing to solve gun violence?
               

The Proposed Solution

This is called the proposed solution because it’s not guaranteed it would solve this issue. The Chicago police dept. have tried many things to decrease gun violence in Chicago lately, but nothing has work so far. So what the police dept. are currently doing? They are de-policing. Many people had argued for the past years that police officers aren't doing their job. They feel like they are not doing their job to their fullest potential. So the Chicago police dept. had made drastic changes. According to Vice news, “Is Chicago de-policing?”asked the reporter. “It’s a fact, and there are different causes for it. You have to police... appropriate. You do your job, we pay you to do your job, and to serve and protect the community. Do it or else, you don't need to be here.”  The mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, announced that the city would immediately implement changes in the police department. Including a system for increased accountability and changes in officer training. The mayor also fired his police superintendent Garry McCarthy and appointed Eddie Johnson. Do to him having more experience with the streets of Chicago.


Chicago is still known as on the violent cities in the us. We can Change that though. With the help of yours, you can spread the word of gun violence and raise awareness. Help those who can’t control anger and speak to those who need words of inspiration. Chicago put the guns down.
   

My weekly blog.

my human right is number 3. Which is "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."   . And it's being violated every day. By police brutality and gun violence.

   For example. There is the laquan McDonald's case. And there is all this gun violence. Chicago is known to have to most gun violence out of the whole U.S!   According to CNN news, Chicago has already received 144 homicides and up to 43% over 2015 so far." But that not all, " ... Chicago has more homicides and shooting than any other cities... In fact some people call the city 'Chiraq'. It draws the side of Chicago's south side and Iraq's war zone." This  quotes explains the dangers that could happen in Chicago.

On July 20, 2012, A mass shooting occurred inside a century 16 movie theater in Aurora Colorado. During a midnight screening of the film, the Dark Knight Rises, a shooting occurred. Unfortunately 12 people were killed and 58 were wounded, and left witnesses with claustrophobia and had a dramatic experience. Later in the investigation, police found out that it was 24 year old, James Holmes. This shows what type of things can happen when gun violence is occurring. But what are law enforcements are currently doing to resolve gun violence? Nothing.

So this explains that the Human right 3 is being violated. , and how it is being violated.

Non-fiction blog

   The book I'm currently reading is called "Marijuna" By Sandra Lee Smith.  The Book talks about how Marijuna is used, spread, and it's effects. For example, according to the book, The THC expands the blood vessels in the lungs and in the brain, letting more oxygen into the rest of the system. ..... Because of lowered blood pressure, less blood flows into the brain. This is why you feel high, or lighting.

One interesting passage I found in my book was  when it talked about poisoned weed. When local enforcements try to stop selling weed. They spray it with lace ( poisin ) to prevent seller from selling things. But they counting to sell it.  And you can take a joint that is poisoned with you knowing .

I learned the possibility a person can encounter a joint in the near future.  And learned what people would do with a situation like that.













I commented on Gabe's blog.

I commented on Jose's blog.

My gratitude blog

What I'm grateful this year.

My friends is one of the things I'm grateful this year. We always have fun when we hangout after school. Even during school also. We goof around with each other and help each other when needed. Also we could always rely on each other. That's why I'm grateful for them.

My family Is another reason why I'm grateful. They are always there when I need them. We always chill and give each other advice. We sometimes do dares to each other so we could have fun. But there’s times where we fight, but it always works out someway.

The last and final thing I'm grateful for is the year I had overall. But mainly my summer. I got many opportunities like having a summer job. I'm very grateful for that opportunity because it gave me a chance to learn how it’s like having a job. Also to learn to take responsibly into my own hands. Plus I got to earn money. All in all, it’s was all worth it towards the end.

This year has been a really good year for me and I’m grateful for that. I hope I will have many years like this and even better ones in the upcoming future. Furthermore I hope the same to whoever is reading my article. May you guys have a great thanksgiving.

I commented on Vanessa's Blog.

Update in current events

      Today in our gallery walk in class I learned many things. For example, Ebola has mutated and grew twice as much dangerous. Recents studies shows that it has been coming form fruit bats and it becoming a commincable disease.


I also learned that Obama and trump had a conversation. During that conversation, Obama and Trump talked about the things they didn't like about each other. but later in the conversation they set aside their differences. Till the end of the conversation, Obama accepted Trump as the next president and shook hands. All in all, our president Obama, like Trump as our next president.

The blowout

     On October 23,2016,  A car had a blowout. The driver automatically urges to gain control of the car and pulls over. Along with a pick-up in front of it. The driver get out of the car and headed towards the back of his sedan. He was distraught and yelled at the Pick-up in front of him to stay. As he observed his blown out tire, he noticed three nails in his tire. He looked back to find more nails on the street. He quickly picked the remaining nails and clears up the street. When the man was done picking up the nails, local enforcements arrived and questioned  the man. While the other officer talked to the Man in the pick-up. Just within a few mins, 63rd and Pulaski was filled with cop cars.   He States “ From now on, I will not try to run over everything I see.”

Poem about Veterans Day.

To be a proud Veteran.


Proud of our country ,
They answered our calls.
Defending the freedom
And safety all.
On land or on sea ,
Or on jets high above,
They went of duty
And honor and love
But however they served, lord,
Wherever they went,
Please bless them
And help them
To know what it means,
To be a proud veteran.
So let's celebrate as a whole,
To those who served our nation.
And we will do so on Veterans Day.

The Giver movie/book comparison

     In The Giver  by Lois Lowry, the book and the movie are similar and different in many ways. For example, One night when he was breaking the rules, by leaving the dwelling. (His home) And he ends up going to the nurturing center where Fiona helps Jonas takes Gabe. Also helps Jonas by leading the guards away from him. “... Hunched over on the bicycle, pedaling steadily.” (163.) This quotes shows that he was trying to stay stealth as possible when he was fleeing from the guards. If Fiona wasn’t there to help out Jonas, it would’ve been much more difficult to leave with Gabe.

     A Major  difference in the movie and the book is the setting, In the book it states the communities were divided by rivers. And that else where was far away. For example, According to the book, “ He could see the dark, churning water far below.” (163) This quote explains that it is kinda difficult to get to elsewhere due to the river in his way. But in the movie, It seemed much easier because it was basically right of the edge of the community. 

My 1st quarter reflection

October 27, 2016

    My blog. I think my blogs are doing alright, besides that I'm missing a few of them. But I always finish them at some point. But I will start to keep up my work, and get on point. And I will Include more things, Like to make them have a better overall theme.

    What strategies have benefited me? I think Having a lead in my writing. Also the tone and spot light.  I notice it gives me more of a better story, or writing in general. And I will continue to use these strategies and learn how to use these better.

 

    My writing has progressed a bit more. It’s not that much, but I notice that it has improve. I think I could improve them more, I just need to practice the skills I learned more and learn more. But overall, I think the first quota restrictions of the year started good. Learning a bunch of things to help me write better and understand my reading better.

The Giver Theme

In The Giver by Lois Lowry, Jonas would be a dynamic character. He has a dramatic change from the beginning of the book till the end of the book. So at the beginning he was so curious and whatever he had in mind, like thoughts or opinions had to be shared out. It had to be shared out and it had to be true. It couldn’t be a lie.Because that was against the rule if you lied. For example, according to the book, “ He paused. He knew he had to tell all of a dream. So he forced himself to relate the part that made him uneasy.” (36) This quote shows he needed to tell the truth. He couldn’t lie. But later he Changes. He LIES! For example, when he was about to eat dinner, he lies for example. When him and Asher were at the garden, he lies to Asher about the flowers. According to the book, “No, nothing. I thought for a minute that the were wilting, and we should let the gardening crew know they needed more water.” (99) This quote shows that he lies to his friend Asher about the flower. Even though he wanting him to see something else, meaning that he wanted to for Asher to see something with more detail. But He couldn’t tell him because it was against the rules, to tell Asher anything about his training.



The importance of the individual. This is the theme of the book because it go with what the book shows to the reader. It's one of the main conflict and key details. For example, when Jonas learned what release really mean, he freaks out. And want to change it. “I won't! I won't go home! You can’t make me!” (Pg36). This shows that later in the book he starts freaking out and throwing a tantrum. Another example is when he takes Gabriel from the nurturing center. “He grabbed  instinctively for Gabriel; and the new child.” (Pg 171)  That's why the theme is the importance of the individual.

Chapter 1-4 blog

Again & again!



    While reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. There has been many Again & again moments throughout the book so far. One of these moments is when Jonas the main character, was talking with his family. The conversation was about the important ‘ceremony’. According to the book, “Jonas shivered…. The ceremony of Twelve was the last of the ceremonies. The most important.” (Chapter Two, Page 14) This is an important Again & again moment, because it could foreshadow a conflict in the future. Which might get him an assignment he might not like.


    Another signpost I want to mention is Contrasts and contradictions. So when Jonas and Lily, Jonas’s younger sister, were talking about when he had a memory. According to the book, “...Voice  that all the speakers seemed to develop, saying things like ATTENTION. THIS IS A REMINDER TO FEMALES UNDER NINE THAT HAIR RIBBONS ARE TO BE NEATLY TIED AT ALL TIMES.” (Chapter three, Page 23). This means that there are speakers spread out in the community. And it's different from our modern day society.

Welcome to my blog

About me

My name is Erik. I like to work hard in school and at my summer jobs. I currently go to Heritage Middle school. Some of my interests are walking around and going outdoors. 

   I worked in many places during the summer and gained a lot of experience. For example, last year I work as a mechanic and work at construction. I had fun time and gained lots of experience. Then last summer I worked at Super Fresh produce. It was the job I had the most fun. I got to learn how to use a fork lift! And traveled to near by states. And the best part, I got a lot of money.

    Well that's a little bit of me. I hope you will enjoy my future blogs.