It was just another day of work at Urban Tilth. Five staff supervisors trying to manage a group of 27 youth. At Urban Tilth we work with urban agriculture, and have the youth plant, water, dig and many other activities outdoors. It was Tuesday, the first day of work of the week and everyone was walking back and forth between gardens. When all of a sudden we heard gunshots, about six of them just blocks away. The first reaction to one of the youth was to give the phone to another youth name Edward and have him call his people. I saw him grab the phone and call someone but there was no responce.

As Edward was walking to the garden across the street one of his friends stopped him and told Edward his younger brother was shot and on the floor. Edward drop the tools in his hands and ran to see his brother. Everyone started to get worried about the situation because it was only blocks away from our work space. After a couple of minutes we saw Edward walking north to Kaiser with two motorcycle cops on both sides of him. He was shouting at the cops and telling them to find the person who shoot his brother instead of asking him questions. The executive director of Urban Tilth Doria Robinson then ran to catch up to Edward. She was able to calm him down and take him to Kaiser.

The next day we found out that his brother died when arriving at Kaiser. It was a situation I had a hard time trying to deal with. I couldn't find the right words to say to the youth. I would ask questions but the answer would be "It is, what it is, thats life". All of them are aware that violence is not the only solution and is worst than solving it peacefully. But they also mentioned the cycle of violence and the pressure to keep up with your "enemy". I am getting to know these youth everyday a little bit better and they are all good people born into a corrupt society.

I definitely look foward to working with them and talking about violence and other issues.