Dear Jesus,
I am really enlightened and amazed about the topic you decided to talk about because it emphasizes different perspectives and views on gangs. One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is “In summary, the next time you see a gang member, treat them with respect, maybe even try to get their story.” This line stood out to me because it’s so true, to not assume anything without knowing the full story. Because people don’t know what others are going through, and by trying to talk to them and learning, one gets to better understand someone to be more empathetic and so they aren’t disrespectful. Another sentence that stood out to me was ” Some gangsters joined gangs because of the environment they were raised in, but it is mainly fear. Fear of either getting rejected by others in their environment or fear because a gang is after them.” By adding this, you explain how gang members not always get the choice of getting an education, because of fear, and because sometimes they are forced into being in a gang and they have no choice. Your blog reminds me of other stories where sometimes people don’t know the full story and that’s why they are disrespected. Thanks for writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next because you have great thoughts and opinions that need to be shared.

I am proud about your post called, “Fighting Against Dominant Narratives”, because it takes fearlessness to share your life to people that you might not know. I am at ease with you and I hope that you change the minds of ones with dominant narritives about you.

Hi Jesus! My names Briana Estrada, I’m a currently a student at San Jose State University. I really enjoyed reading about your shadow box! I love how passionate you are about your culture. Especially, because I am hispanic. You seem very talented for being so young! Keep pursing your passions in art and music.

Hi Jesus Ramirez,
I am a college student at SJSU. I found your shadow box to be fascinating because you are showing that you are not the kind of person that stereotypes have created for someone that is Mexican. Such as you state that you love art. I also liked how you said how purple and black are weird colors and how you associate yourself with these two colors. I also found how you incorporate things that you love to do, such as art, your laptop, which connected with you and being a producer, and how you add parts of Mexican ornaments because it is who you are and you are proud of it. I find these things to be astonishing since not only are you proud of your background, but you are also happy at what you are doing, and that shows that you are not someone that would get into trouble. I hope you will continue to do art and music later in life.