PLATFORM : Damaging Message

The cancellation of the Dorsey-Banning game sends a very damaging message--that people can be intimidated and forced out of the normal pattern of their lives. It also gives hard-core gang members the feeling that they have the power to change things.

It’s an ironic and sad situation for young people (in South-Central Los Angeles) because sports has been an avenue of escaping everyday problems. As for Banning, I understand their fear because violence has been a recurring problem at Dorsey.

We have to deal this problem to make sure our young people aren’t short-changed in the future.

Law enforcement, teachers, parents and students need to come together to show these hoodlums that we will not allow them to deny our children the option of participating in an activity that is traditional with young people across the country.