http://faculty.missouristate.edu/m/MichaelCarlie/what_I_learned_about/gangs/WHYFORM/why_gangs_form.htm
I think that this is a good site that reflects on the Beautiful Struggle because it informs readers of why gangs form. It talks about the social aspect of why kids join gangs and the reputation and "power" that it gives them. A lot of the time, kids are that join gangs, feel that it gives them a sense of family (however a false sense)and helps fill the part of their youth which is going unfilled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axhhXJqJJ-U
This video I think is greatly important to this book because it talks stricly about the Black Panthers during the late 1960's and their role in society. It gives another outside view of what his father was doing while being a part of the Black Panthers.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114084/

This media piece is a history of the black panther party. It is a video, so it has to be legit.

This video is good, because it explains what the black panthers are, and it would help give the reader back ground info. The father in the book is a member of the black panther, and this explains what happens within that club. It gives incite to the life of a BP.

http://www.parenting-child-development.com/kids-fighting.html

This article is important because it outlines why kids fight, it will help the reader understand why kids get into fights with each other. It explains how kids try to establish a pecking order, and fighting helps them understand who is the big dog. It also helps them feel powerful, if they are feeling powerless. This article was written by Family Matters magazine.

gangs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry7jqjf0kak
I think this would be useful to readers because gangs are explained in this book. The author was in something like a gang but wasnt really brought into a real true gang. This video is made a group in Baltimore that is trying to work against gangs. The video explains the different gangs control different parts of the city. I agree with the video because it tells about how things really are in gangs and how they should be dealt with.
http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2008/06/30/baltimore-gangs-turf-power/

Ben's Post

I believe the Beautiful Struggle would appeal to young, African Americans, who are interested in the life of a young boy in the city, or ghetto. It is appealing because it shows a life that I am unfamiliar with, and it enlightens me to another side of life in the Untied States. An obstacle, but also an interesting point about this book is the fact that they use very... crude language or vulgar descriptions. but it also graphically describes fights and other M rated content.

This book is easier to under stand when a student like BJ is sitting next to you, and can help translate the vocabulary that is presented in this book. The offensive material in this book would be interesting to deal with in class. I'm not sure of the effects of talking about such topics would be appropriate in every class.

Thoughts on the book so far....

This book is very appealing, but it may appeal more to African Americans because the book is about a boy and his childhood surrounded by being black. The book talks about the boys struggles throughout his life, not only about being black but fitting into different social groups.
If students are going to read this book they need to be ready for the story to flip and talk about the past, then jump back to present time. The student also needs to read closely and pay attention to key words and terminology to be able to stay up with what is going on.
The book is based around the general subject of the Ta-Nehisi's struggle do to being black. The only mature content really in the book is the use of the "N" word which is used periodically.

Yes i think the book should be available to more people because it tells a lot about blacks ans what they dealt with. The book helps explain a lot about struggle with not just being black, but with fitting in with different groups and people. The book isn't really a hard reading but if kids have a problem with slang and the n word then this book isn't for them. The people who read this book should know something about the African American culture. It deals with the issues of gangs and how they claim territory and different traditions.

The book so far is very descriptive and explains the childhood of the author with detail. The book expresses his thoughts and feelings about the world around him. He tells about his different experiences and gives us an intro into what the book has to come. Some of the things he says are ramdon and might have meaning but at the moment i do not really understand them.