We just wanted to join the Boy Scouts and they wouldn’t let us.

Crips.And.Bloods.Made.In.America.

A cluster of neighborhoods in the heart of Southern California is home to two of America’s most infamous gangs: the Crips and the Bloods. Over the course of their 40-year feud, more than 15,000 people have been murdered in an ongoing cycle of violence that continues unabated. Neighborhoods are staked out, and rigid boundaries are drawn; crossing a street or taking a wrong turn can mean death. Nearly a quarter of the region’s young men who survive the violence will end up in jail or prison.

Narrated by Forest Whitaker, CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America combines in-depth interviews with current and former gang members, educators, historians, family members and experts with historical and present-day footage to graphically portray the rivalry between African American gangs in South Los Angeles. Three former gang members—Ron, Bird and Kumasi—recount their experiences growing up in the neighborhood in the 1950s, when segregation kept blacks and whites strictly separated, both by police-enforced neighborhood boundaries and in public organizations like the Boy Scouts. Young black males began forming their own groups, clubs where they could find a sense of belonging. Fighting between rival clubs became part of that culture, but the only weapons then were a strong pair of fists.

 thank you battleskin88

Obama opposes Boy Scouts’ ban on gays

NEW YORK (AP) — When it comes to gays and the Boy Scouts,President Barack Obama and the youth organization he serves ashonorary president have agreed to disagree.

 

The White House on Wednesday said Obama opposes the youth organization’s recently reaffirmed policy of excluding gays as members and adult leaders. He has no plans to resign as honorary president, White House spokesman Shin Inouye said.

 

The Scouts said in a statement that they respect Obama’s opinion and believe that “good people” can disagree on the subject and still work together to “accomplish the common good.”

 

American presidents have been honorary presidents of the Boy Scouts for a century.

 

Obama became the Scouts’ honorary president in March 2009, shortly after taking office

Last month, after a confidential two-year review, the Scouts reaffirmed their longstanding policy, which has been the target of numerous protest campaigns.

 

How many presidents were scouts?

35th President – John F. Kennedy (First Boy Scout to be President – Star Scout)

 

38th President – Gerald Ford (First and only Eagle Scout so far)  

42nd President – William Jefferson (Bill) Clinton (Cub Scout)

43rd President – George W. Bush (Cub Scout)

44th President – Barak Obama (Gerakan Pramuka; The Indonesian Scout Association)(Not BSA but equivalent to Cub Scout)