Fists Up: What Fresno Teens
Have to Say About Fights
Facilitated by Patricia Johnson and Mai Der Vang

This week De-Bug launched a youth magazine workshop in West Fresno. After a discussion about the death of Michael Anthony Mobley, a 14 year old who died from the injuries of a fight incident near his Fresno middle school, we asked these teens from McLane and Edison High Schools what they think about fighting and violence. For more information about the workshop, contact mvang@newamericamedia.org.

“Most people just fight because their friends are pumping their head up.”
Ariel, Age 17

“He say”, “she say” is the main cause of fighting. Fighting solves nothing so unless you are fighting for your life from some psycho, then it's really not necessary. I don't know how it is with boys because I'm a girl, but usually, you'll fight and then end up talking. You might not be bosom buddies, but you will be associates no matter what. I've seen it happen too many times.

One minute, I'll have a friend that'll be like, “I heard you wanna see me ‘bout sumthin,” then next thing I know my friend is talking to the other girl that next week!

In my opinion, you know you're gonna end up talking to the other person you fought, one way or another. So you might as well just talk it out and go on with your day, and always make it a one-on-one because half the time most people just fight because their friends are pumping their head up.

So basically if your enemy's not going to disappear into thin air, then just get over it.

“With violence, you're just creating mess—with fights, you learn something”
Sandy, Age 17

Violence is sometimes a solution to solve differences between people. Sometimes violence divides us from a whole, but violence is part of life that helps shape our world.

Fights in general have lost their way. Nowadays, you see two people against one or a large number against a couple. They use weapons or anything that can do massive damage in a short amount of time instead of using bare hands. Fights are suppose to wear you out until you realize it is pointless to continue. If you haven't, it's just plain violence.

Violence is the same way. It's all about restraints and limitations. Killing your opponent is just another step to ruining your life and your future. Fighting may break and pull us apart, or bring us together.

There's a difference between violence and fights. With violence, you're just creating mess and problems continue—with fights, you learn something and usually it comes to a rest with an understanding.

“Fights are absolutely dumb.”
Idalia, Age 17

I think fights divide people, because fights are related to gangs and some stupid things like how they look at each other, what colors they are wearing, and where they are from. I don't think fights get us anywhere. Somehow fights get some people dead, or in prison. Fights are absolutely dumb. They separate us from each other. Some people fight just for revenge. I think young people fight without thinking of the consequences, like I had a friend who fought in school, and they expelled him because he was a gangster. I also lost a friend to a fight.

“What positive thing to you plan to do with your territory?”
Jesse, Age 15

Fighting is practically no way to bring no one together. In fact, it divides people. There is no binding of fights. There really shouldn't be a fight, physically. It would be better to have a verbal, non-aggressive fight. To be able to agree, you should talk things out. Fighting doesn't solve anything. Many people fight for territory (gangs) but what positive thing do you plan to do with your territory? People fight over girls or vice versa, but is he or she worth the fight? Many fights are not needed for various reasons. The only way a fight can bring people together is by fighting for a good cause. For example, fighting for cancer survivors, or fighting about certain causes such as war, but that's practically it.

“When fists get involved, everything seems to lose its meaning.”
Jaleesa, Age 17

I believe that fighting can do nothing more than prove the point of childish behavior. A fight only occurs when there is a misunderstanding between people, and they don't know how or don't find another way to solve it. If a person is being harassed and/or bullied at school, a fight may start if they know what it's concerning. Constant hazing and harassment from a person's peers may make them consider a violent action. Some people think they can only solve their problems through their fists, because it is the only way they know how. Other people may want to start a fight, just to get a reaction out of someone, to satisfy themselves or their peers. There's nothing wrong with an argument of words, but when fists get involved, everything seems to lose its meaning. It just becomes a case of who's stronger than who. Even after that, what does that prove?

“Parents, schools, and governments should do something about it.”
Carolina, Age 18

I think fights are dumb. I don't think you have to fight another person to fix your differences or to become friends. I like to be friendly and I believe the only way you can get rid of problems is talking instead of fighting.

What happened to the kid that got killed in that school because of a fight? I think that's something that shouldn't repeat again. This is just creating more violence, because they are only kids, and just imagine how these kids will become when they grow up. So I think that fighting in and outside of school should stop. Even thought it's going to be difficult, there has to be a solution, and parents, schools, and governments should do something about it.

Fighting is not always the best choice and not the beginning of a friendship. Fighting is ridiculous.

Click here
FresnoBee Michael's Story
http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/11187.html

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