As a young adult and member of the Rochester community, I feel it is important to stress my concern for the young adults of our city. Growing up in Rochester, I went to a public school until 10th grade. During my school years, I witnessed, received and acted in bullying. As a result of being bullied, I turned to drugs and crime.
If it wasn't for Rochester Off-Campus Charter High School, I would be in prison or worse — dead. There are a lot of negative opinions about the students who go there, claiming they're gang bangers, druggies, idiots and so on. The question I would ask those who use such negative language is: Have you ever walked a day in their shoes?
As a community, it is our job to protect our children and those around us. Have any of you stopped to notice the amount of homeless children in our community? We have young kids sleeping under bridges and stealing food because they're hungry. We turn on the news and hear about another teenager who pulled a gun on another (sometimes using it). We turn a blind eye to these threats.
Instead of judging those kids, why not try talking to them. Young adults need to know they have a voice. As a community, we need to help these kids feel as if they belong within our city.
Elizabeth Bruns
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Rochester
