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juvenile delinquent

noun

1. a minor who cannot be controlled by parental authority and commits antisocial or criminal acts, as vandalism or violence.

juvenile delinquency

adj.

1. behavior of a child or youth that is so marked by violation of law, persistent mischievousness, antisocial behavior, disobedience, or intractability as to thwart correction by parents and to constitute a matter for action by the juvenile courts.

Approximately 500,000 juveniles are sent to detention centers every year, rather than a place where they can talk to someone about their wounds and eventually heal.

Their words are the outlet they’ve given themselves, so it’s time for us to listen and put our beliefs on the shelf.

With constant degradation, image bending, and cultural stigmatization, brutal policing and violent home bases,

How in the world are these kids even able to keep their heads above water, let alone lead a life that exists outside of these spaces?

My only hope is that somehow and some way, this piece can help grapple with a reality that at times can seem very far way.

It’s easy to make certain, things one does not see, things one does not know, and has no ability to understand fully,

But I’m offering a looking glass, a tiny way in,

A miniscule way to not see through,

but rather

To engage in.

Thank you for coming, I hope this finds you well,

and that you will choose to help move this stagnant process, simply by

sharing the stories and continuing to tell.

Speak of the hardships, of the things that aren’t so pretty,

It’ll help us out of this slump that we’re in and hopefully give us the strength to prosper and get in touch.

With not only our selves, but those around us too,

And the certainties we create for ourselves,

let’s question those too.