November 6, 2008 at 05:35pm
I live in East Oakland, just a few blocks from a subsidized housing project.I’m Kelly Chau, with a commentary from Youth Radio.If Proposition 6 passes, that means government agencies will be required to perform annual background checks on everyone who lives in that project down the street from me. On top of that, the proposition will make it easier to try juveniles as adults for gang-related offenses.I’m really on the fence about this proposition. Not too long ago, a high school classmate of mine was shot and killed. So I do feel strongly about wanting to reduce violence and gang-related activity in subsidized housing units. But opponents of Proposition 6, like Tey Welbeck from the Center for Media Justice, say it will unfairly target and criminalize young minorities.What I want most from this proposition is to make my community safer. But I don’t want my innocent neighbors to be searched all the time—just because of where they live.For Youth Radio, I’m Kelly Chau.Keep up with the latest from Youth Radio. Follow @youthradio on Twitter. Live your digital life on Facebook? Become a fan of YMI-Youth Media International and get updates delivered right to your page.


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