tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097986087725765474.post8618611621984428741..comments2014-12-01T07:51:20.929-08:00Comments on WHYs Up!: Rockridge: SafetyLife Academyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687570724901944573noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097986087725765474.post-54266033144366006802008-06-04T13:54:00.000-07:002008-06-04T13:54:00.000-07:00When something goes down in Rockridge, it's usuall...When something goes down in Rockridge, it's usually a big deal (front page news in the neighborhood's newsletter). I remember there being a home invasion robbery in the area, and a armed robbery/murder down the street from where I lived. Other than that, though, it's a very safe place to be. People are constantly out and about at cafes, restaurants, and shops.<BR/><BR/>Crime in Rockridge seemed to be limited to theft, for the most part. The sad thing about crime and safety in places all over the country is that "poor" people steal from poor people. That's why people have to put bars on their windows. No one wants to do that, but many have to. You don't see bars on windows in Rockridge. It's like this constant struggle amongst those in lower socioeconomic areas. Good, hard-working people have to worry about a small group of people that are willing to steal or harm them. They're all trying to get their piece of the pie, they're just going after it in different ways. It's this individualistic mentality that most Americans have. "I gotta get mine!" And it makes people go against each other. Sometimes it's good--competing against other students to get into colleges pushes you to do better in school. Sometimes it's bad--"I like that iPod they have, so I'm going to take it." Everyone is striving for the proverbial "American Dream." Some people are willing to work two jobs to get it, while others have resorted to other means.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, there's so many factors that contribute to this--educational inequality, ineffective justice system (and lack of rehabilitation system), housing inequality, and more. I'm rambling, but be sure to appreciate all the work that Mr. Lee and Ms. Fitzgerald have done in trying to help you guys see and experience new things (that were a lot closer to home than you thought). And also appreciate Mr. Lee's work in helping his economics students realize that the way to help close the income inequality gap is through education and smart money management.Mr. Morenohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347893205491256162noreply@blogger.com