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68 Blocks: Life, Death, Hope

Facing the future, or the dream of one

There were 19 shootings in Bowdoin-Geneva this year, but no one was killed. Here, that seems a step ahead. But progress, if real, feels like a fragile reed in a garden furrowed deep with promise and pain.

This project was reported and written by Jenna Russell, Meghan E. Irons, Akilah Johnson, Maria Cramer, and Andrew Ryan

The party in the garden is two days away, and Jhana Senxian is scrambling. She needs volunteers to weed the neighborhood plots. She needs tables and chairs. She needs to get a coat of paint on the garden shed.

Comments

Why do our young people turn to gangs? Is it for protection? Peer pressure? A sense of belonging to something larger than themselves? Empowerment? I take away from this piece that there are some very loving parents, teachers, clergy, and community people battling against very strong forces. Gangs give children a false sense of pride and respect. If only they could look to the courageous people that truly do love them for that pride and respect

It's all the fault of the establishment. All of of it.  

Part 5 of 5 ?

I love that the reporters got to tell how the story impacted them.  This is possibly the best series I have ever read in the Globe and I hope it wins lots of awards.  Bravo!!!