Because I Care

[Fanny Hoang]

I see evil. I hear evil. I fight evil.Not many people can say that they have seen and gone through things in my shoes. It seems like the only thing on television was news about another death, another slaying, homicide number a hundred plus. Throw in the addition of drug and alcohol abuse, poverty, high crime, and you have one of the most dangerous places in the United States —the city I call home.And I put it in context with my life.I am somebody who cares about the people around me, the safety of my family, friends, loved ones, and even strangers.Most times I shake my head at the news of another homicide—the latest a drive-by shooting of an alumnus from my high school.I ask myself: How can I evoke some sort of inspiration, some sort of motivation to the youth who grow up seeing such tragedies?My response: I became very involved with the community I grew up in. Not because it was required to graduate high school, not because it “looked good” for college, but because I developed the hunger to turn my city’s bad reputation into one that is positive.A small voice calls to me and tells me that even the littlest makes a difference. Whether it’s the act of picking trash off the ground or organizing a fundraiser for charity, these things are what make me feel accomplished at the end of the day.I genuinely find joy in giving back.It gives me energy, fueling my desire to wake up the next morning and to do another good deed to bring some relief to the suffering.I know I’m able to keep going, to be successful in garnering more and more positivity.My goal is to reach the zenith of giving and I won’t stop until I’m satisfied.