People disrespect others every day. It is appalling. When we see people bullying others, most would act as a spectator. When one is on the other end of that bullying, they want support. They want nothing more than the backup of their friends. The reasons behind bullying are naive and unjust. “ Give me your lunch money,” “ Get away from Planned Parenthood, they kill babies.” The atrocities that go on in today’s world lie within the government. There can never be enough support for third party organizations that promote a more efficient health care system. This is the story of a health center that has seen the bad and the good, the violence and the peace, and ultimately the better side of every person.
The Planned Parenthood health centers are the government’s tentative solution to health issues in the United States. On a brisk Sunday afternoon, three African American women entered the center seeking help. They had no idea the mission statement of Planned Parenthood, they just needed immediate medical attention. The girls had been victim to a sexual assault led by a gang. The girls were worried. They had never been in this sort of situation and based on their financial background they would never be able to afford health care.
Imagine being a part of such a vicious crime. The adolescence is gone, the minds of people will be filled with gruesome memories of a tragic event. Not knowing how to cope with society, the girls turned to the nearest form of help they could think of, their peers.
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It was dark. There was nothing to be seen throughout the whole park. All that could be heard was crickets chirping, dogs barking, and gangsters prowling. The moon was at its brightest, lighting up the whole path through Sindred Park. It was a typical night for Shandra, Kendra and Lafia.
They work in a diner. They have grown up poor and are trying to make it in this hard-knock life. After working an eighteen-hour shift, the three sisters headed home. With their hardships only making them stronger, they weren’t afraid of anything.
“Bring it on!” Lafia the youngest of the three sisters claimed. Lafia’s father left when she was just a little girl. She needed a protective figure that her drugged out mother couldn’t provide. She was a persistent child, always wanting the best for her family. She never complained, just brought in the bacon and hoped for the best.
Shandra, on the other hand, is more cautious. The three girls share the same mother, but each a different father. The age is not a factor between the girls. They are all best friends and they fend for each other. Sandra always prepares herself for the task at hand and is never too quick to jump into any situation.
Kendra is the complete opposite of the other two. Some would jump to the conclusion that she is simply suffering from middle child syndrome and is compensating for her sisters quietness by rebelling.
The girls act as one. They work together, live together, and enjoy the simple things of life together. Ever since Shandra was five years old, she has been fending for herself. At the mere age of twelve she came to the realization that her mother would be incapable to properly provide for the girls as they age and try to cope with society. Shandra’s first job was delivering food to apartments in the most dangerous neighborhood in New York. The Bronx is no place for young girl to find her place in life. Imagine having to support yourself and your two sisters while trying to learn long division. A burden of such importance should not be left to a young girl. At the age of twenty-one she got her and her sisters a steady job at a local diner.
Through many encounters with strange people, Shandra has built a tolerance to the basic principles of men. Over the years she has done everything possible to prevent her sisters from experiencing the pessimistic world they really live. In.
“What are we having for dinner?” Kendra asked not realizing the stress it puts on Shandra.
“We should try that new burrito place down the road” Lafia jumped to the idea. Little did she know, the “road” she referred to is the most dangerous road in all of New York and was full of pimps and prostitutes.
“I think we’ll just have dinner with the Mclacks’ tonight, they invited us last week and they are only looking out for us,” Shandra proposed in order to keep the safety of the girls in mind.
The Mclacks live in apartment 2b, which is right above theirs. They have two young boys, Jonny and Freddy, and one newborn girl. Johnny and Freddy’s parents, Mo'Nique and Devonte, have been living in the same building for over twenty years. They understand the area, especially how the area can have a negative effect on residents.
On Tuesday evening the girls ended their shift, stamped their time cards, and headed home. The most efficient way home for them is through Sindred Park. Normally, the park is functional twenty four-seven. The flow of people never stops which is why Shandra trusts the park to deliver them home safely.
Unable to keep track of the date, let alone their schoolwork, the girls proceed with their day as normal. They work a normal shift and head home. Little did they know it was September 11th, and most people were indoors with their families’ morning the death of those whom we lost.
Oblivious to this fact, Shandra, Kendra and Lafia proceed home through the park with little caution.
“How come there are no people in the park tonight Kendra?” Lafia innocently asked.
“There is probably just some special event nearby that attracted all the people” Kendra responded hoping that her fabrication reflected the truth.
“I don’t know why there aren’t any people in the park right now but I have a bad feeling. We need to hurry home” Shandra responded while her motherly instincts came about.
“How you ladies doin’ tonight?” Latrel, a member of the local 6 feet under Prison gang, asked while approaching the girls with his crew.
The 6 Feet Under Prison gang is the only gang around for miles. They run the streets like they own the place. They are known for their low tolerance to challenges and their abuse of innocent women. NYPD has opened many cases against the gang but because of their efficiency and clean up crew, evidence is nearly impossible to find, let alone link to them.
“We are just on our way home, we don’t want any trouble” Shandra stated as she stepped in front of her sisters.
“We aint’ looking for any trouble little Miss, we just wanna have a little fun” another gang member shouted as he grabbed Lafia’s arm.
PS. I know that it is taking a little while to get to the action and climax, but don't worry I'm exploring two different options because i don't want to be to graphic and i want to have a strong denounment and i can't do that unless something really bad happens here which makes the girls want to help other people in her situation.
