Mean Streets

Has a Marvin Gaye ("What's Going On) feel. Indeed one of my fears as more women gain positions of leadership in politics is rather then being true to themselves, they will try to be more like men, whose testosterone has resulted in much useless bloodshed.

Oh, MsRockyJackson, luv :-* ~

This poem is intense and profound and oh-so-powerful!

You have created a soul-felt cry of anguish here for the plight of our people and the plight of all people because, really, what affects one affects all...

There are minor editorial things with which, if you desired, I could assist. If not, I understand. If so, message me, please. I sincerely hope I do not offend; proofreading comes automatically. Please forgive me if I have; it is not intended.

This poem, overall, though, luv, is quite, quite magnificent! :-*

We'll before I ask what I could change I'll take a moment to say that I was talking about the pain that is usually deep within the ghettos and hoods. I was talking about how this all happens and yet no one tries to make a change. I wanted to give a look into the blood shed and pain that suffers in not just the hood but also around the world. Anyways, I would like to know what could be better about this poem?

I do know you were talking about the ghetto and the 'hood, luv. :-* And, how a blind eye is turned to the intense suffering that takes place, the pain, and often desperate conditions many of us experience daily.  
 
My grandmother, who was from Chicago, used to take me back with her to visit our relatives, some of whom lived in the projects and struggled. Sometimes, visiting was like entering a layer of hell and it was heart-breaking... One does what one can.  
 
As far as changes to the poem itself, okay, give me a bit. Let me see how I can do this because replying to your comment doesn't allow me to see the poem so I can't see where the changes need to occur so give me a moment and I'll figure this out.  
 
Okay. This isn't ideal, but it's what I came up with quickly. I just copied and pasted the whole thing into Word, made the edits, and here it is with small edits. Ditch what you dislike; keep what you like; ditch it all if you want.  
 
Ignorance of people buying diamonds and fur coats is purely repugnant.  
How ignorant can you be when you can't see we are all human?
The deceiving ways of mankind who kill the innocent in trade for reparation.  
To the ones that point their finger and linger at bloodshed.  
Finding your mother dead on the floor with a gun in your hand  
thinking you are a man.  
Toting guns, but not using your mind or your fists.  
How could this be that all I see is the gain of pain    
of ourselves within our souls.  
The evil grins of greedy men who shake your hand  
then stab you in the back in the blink of an eye.  
Why are we all fighting?    
Why try igniting the fire that started as a small flame?
Blame your brother while throwing your sister down.  
Going down town looking for your next kill to fill the thrill.  
So you think it's cool to be a criminal?  
So instead of being subliminal or verbal you get physical.  
The weak egotistical attitudes of those around me sicken me.  
Throwing someone in prison for only the color of their skin.  
Scared of being chicken so you decide to fight for no reason.    
Look at her! She's beaten n bruised from you.  
So who do you think you are putting your hands on  
Her mother
who is a spitting image of your daughter?
Kids are murdering other kids for the fun of it,  
you know it's all killing me.  
You know that's gonna take you from either  
digging your grave or paving the way to hells made.  
If you want a better life then put that knife down  
and show how tough you are.  
Going as far as putting your business on blast  
for the whole world to look down on you.  
Tell me what's this madness all about?!  
You're making me wanna shout and scream.  
Don't hide away and scheme,  
You know it's all blasphemy.  
To me it's nothin' but the mean streets.

I didn't change your poem formatting at all in terms of how it appears on the page. That's yours and I won't mess with that whatsoever. Just changed an adjective to an adverb where it should have been in agreement, that sort of thing.

Oh ok and I understand.
I also live in the hood except my town is so bad people rarely talk about it and when they do they of course talk about it negatively but hey what can ya do?.

I am fortunate enough not to live in the 'hood, luv, but I have seen. I cannot pretend to know the entirety of what our people face, but it is something that lurks in my mind...

I think writing like this is doing something because people do see what you write and change can occur from words. That is my firm hope, at least.

I wrote about another issue recently in our community that I hope makes some difference in Another one bites the dust. We'll see, luv. :-*

I'll be sure to read that then. And well I also base this kind of stuff on personal experiences ( not all just some) and like I've said I grew up and still live in the hood. And I'll be sure to improve in writing