Why do youths become violent?
Community leaders blame single-parent families, truancy
By Warren Wise
Last month, a 15-year-old boy was charged with murdering an 18-year-old North Charleston man off Dorchester Road as he took out the trash.
In December, a 14-year-old boy was convicted of shooting into a car and murdering a 22-year-old North Charleston man in Waylyn four months earlier after someone in the car fired a shot into the air.
On Sunday, a 15-year-old boy was shot in the back and head in the Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood by a group of men thought to be in their early 20s as he and others sat outside. The boy was treated at and released from a local hospital. The shooting came after a fight earlier in the day, according to a police report.
Young people are becoming more involved in crime that often involves young blacks, and community leaders are perplexed by how to stop the escalation of violence. They point to churches and schools helping in the absence of solid family structures in many homes.
"I don't know if it's drug-related, but the age group is becoming younger and younger," said Mary Ward, president of the North Charleston branch of the NAACP. "I have often said that guns are too readily available. We are just having too many of our young people gunned down."
She wonders whether peer pressure is to blame as well. "If they are smart in school, they are heckled and teased," she said.
Ward says she thinks parents should get more involved in their children's lives.
"Maybe they won't get steered in the wrong direction," she said. "I don't know what the answer is or what we need to do to get involved in these issues."
North Charleston City Councilman Michael Brown, who lives in Accabee, not too far from Sunday night's shooting on the city's southern end, said guns were around when he was growing up but people didn't settle their problems so easily with a bullet.
"It's not so much that guns are available. It's the mentality," Brown said. "Kids nowadays don't mind picking up a gun and settling their problems."
Brown agrees with Ward that parental involvement would go a long way toward steering kids in the right direction.
"They need to be more active in the development of their children's lives," he said.
Brown also points to children not finishing school as a key factor.
"If they don't graduate from high school, what is the next avenue for them? It's not employment," he said. "They are out on the streets, and they will find other avenues to make money."
Asked how to get parents more involved in their children's lives, Brown said, "That's the million-dollar question."
Brown says he thinks single-mother households are a leading factor because often no father figure is around to help guide children and provide balance and discipline.
"In the structure of society right now, it will take two to make it work in a household," said Brown, the husband and father of two grown sons. "You put all that structure on one person, and it creates a problem. There is no way of doing this alone. It takes more than just a mother to raise that kid. The whole community needs to step up and take some ownership."
Brown points to his own childhood, saying he was outside playing one day and a woman asked him why he wasn't in school. She didn't know it was a holiday.
It's rare anymore that anyone asks what a child is doing if he is not in school when he should be, he said.
Asked for comment on the issue of escalating youth crime, the North Charleston Police Department's public information officer, Spencer Pryor said an article Police Chief Jon Zumalt wrote in August addressed the issue.
In that article, Zumalt pointed squarely at parents, asking where parents were when a 14-year-old was on the streets and armed with a handgun at 2 a.m. one day last summer and where they were when 3,000 of Charleston County's 40,000 students didn't show up for school on the first day of class.
He wrote that an analysis of the 2,913 violent assaults with handguns between 1992 and 2006 shows that the victims were 27 percent white and 73 percent black. The suspects in these crimes were 16 percent white and 79 percent black. For the 136 murders during that period, the victims were 19 percent white and 76 percent black. The suspects in the murders were 13 percent white and 87 percent black.
The age profile for violent crimes put the vast majority of suspects and victims in their teens and 20s, Zumalt wrote.
"What these statistics tell us is that our young black males are killing themselves off at an alarming rate," he wrote.
Zumalt points to erosion of social values centered on family, school and church as a leading factor in increased crime. Without the family structure in place, schools are now looked to for providing lessons that usually come from home, he said in the report. "When children are truant from school, they often become engaged in poor behavior. Left unchecked, this poor behavior leads to criminal behavior."
Reach Warren Wise at 745-5850 or wwise@postandcourier.com.
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ricktib (anonymous) says...
"Brown says he thinks single-mother households are a leading factor because often no father figure is around to help guide children and provide balance and discipline."
Ya think?!?
February 5, 2008 at 5:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Creeker01 (anonymous) says...
Another leading factor is "Kid Farming fo' State money" followed closely by the "MTV-BET Nanny" and sometimes in conjunction with.
February 5, 2008 at 5:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Great one "Creeker".
"There is no way of doing this alone. It takes more than just a mother to raise that kid. The whole community needs to step up and take some ownership."
NO SIR YOUR WRONG THERE. IT'S NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE SOMEONE ELSES KIDS! IT'S THE MOTHER AND THE FATHERS RESPONSIBILITY. YOU TOUCHED ON THE PROBLEM AND THEN WENT LAID THE RESPONSIBILTY BACK ON THE COMMUNITY. THAT'S WRONG.
I do agree that the community should provide good schools, safe streets, recreation and general safety. And I think for the most part all of these are available for those that want it.
February 5, 2008 at 6:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
Oh please. I don't believe these problems stem from a single mother household. Maybe it's the TYPE of parent. Then again, you have well to-do parents with bad a$$ kids that go out and commit crimes. I don't think you can pin these problems on just one thing. The reasoning is different for every situation. Plenty of single parents do a wonderful job raising good kids. There are plenty of kids that come from a 2 parent household that grow up to become murderers. Don't blame it on the dad not being around.
February 5, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Diamondhead (anonymous) says...
In order to break this cycle maybe someone should sit down with the pregnant single mother and explain the odds of going it alone. Adoption not abortion is one avenue to give that kid a chance in life. That kid will be raised in loving family with a mother and a father and have more opportunities made available to that kid than a single mother can possible give.
Oh ya, take Hillary's book "It Takes a Village" and throw it in trash , you'll be much better off. That Soviet style social engineering doesn't work.
February 5, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proud2bme (anonymous) says...
When are they going to see the light???? Stop making excuses and blaming everything/everybody for what is not being done properly! It's called raing YOUR children and teaching right from wrong! If mom or dad is single then it requires even more work on their part but not from the community. Family and close friends should be the support system.
I agree with a previous comment stating the resources are available in the community but not being utilized. So, stop blaming the drugs, guns and trains and get to the core of the problem.
February 5, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
I too concur with the general concensus, but how can a solution be implemented?
February 5, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmann (anonymous) says...
Isn't it amazing that people are realizing that homes where the father isn't invovled, whether the parents are married or not, is cited as a factor. This has been proposed several times in the past in other articles and various studies. I wonder how many of these youth who get involved in violent acts were surrounded by a violent culture in songs, movies, homelife, etc. There is a desensitization of feelings, moral, and values that allows a person to do the things they do. Often times when a person comes to the point of actually acting out in a violent way, it can be too late. Training for better morals, ethics, etc starts at birth. Is the home child friendly? Is the home conducive to raising a child who will respect those around them?
February 5, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
common_sense_plz (anonymous) says...
DIamondhead - with all due respect I am a single mom that is able to provide my child with LOTS of LOVE and other opportunities. NO ONE can love my son more than I can. NO ONE can do more for my son than I can. My son attends a private day care. Can write up to the letter H, count and he is 3. And speak of opportunities, he is enrolled in the pre-pay college and WILL get the best education possible. I even own my home MORTGAGE FREE. Adoptions are great but it is the ability of the parent to parent that makes the difference! Please stop lumping all single moms in one category.
Hey_U_Guys - thank you. Your comment was perfect.
February 5, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
The problem with black youth committing violence start from the home because of the lack of discipline they receive. As for the NASCAR Jacket what is the problem with black people wearing them it is just a damn jacket and who cares if they do not know who is Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, and Richard Petty. The NASCAR jacket are just a fashion statement and there are no gangs here in Charleston i do not know why people or law enforcement get this idea.
February 5, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
scnative4ever - Do you have ebonophobia? You need to get a hobby and stop worrying about things that you can do nothing about.
February 5, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Well let me see i have a Spongebob NASCAR Jacket, black man, have a college education, was on the Honor Board, Student Government Association, and did various of activity in school. hmmmmmmmmmm i guess you have a ignorant black man on here.
February 5, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Diamondhead (anonymous) says...
Common_sense....
It's a game of percentages and a kid has a better chance in life with a father and a mother. We're not talking about exceptions but if you have an interest in keeping this cycle going then what can I say.
February 5, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cofcstudent (anonymous) says...
Violence among young people must be understood as more than just an expression of aggressive individual behavior. It must be seen as part of a larger cultural phenomenon, one that is inextricably woven into the history and social fabric of our society. Though we may be repulsed by certain forms of violence, we must acknowledge that our society glorifies and is entertained by violence.
Violence is also a learned behavior. Even our collective response to the threat of violence often manifests itself through some other form of violence: we sanction the killing of killers, and accept the notion that personal safety can be achieved by allowing citizens to be armed. At a visceral level, many of us seek justice for violence through some other form of violence.
If we accept the view of violence as a cultural phenomenon, one that is embedded in our collective history, reinforced by the media, and practiced or glorified in almost every sector of our society, then we must accept the reality that we cannot respond to it by isolating or incapacitating some number of violent individuals or targeting particular groups
February 5, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chozen24 (anonymous) says...
SC naÃive
You have to be one ignorant individual. Clothing lines are created to be worn by any one that wishes to purchase and wear them. I am the parent of four young men and I personally can assure you that they do not indulge in the examples that you displayed. And for the record, one of my sons has a Jeff Gordon jacket; while yet another has Tony Stewart. We have gone to a number of races and they are well aware of the NASCAR concept. Stop lumping all black people in your narrow minded views.
Shockingly enough I do agree with some of your comments on your first post, Gangsta Rap is destroying the minds of children who lack the mental capacity to distinguish between was is real and what is acting. BET and MTV should not be viewed by children that are developing mentally and using things that they hear and view to shape their worlds.
Lastly, we Africa Americans need to stop focusing on anything or anybody else other than turning around the lives of our children. I agree that we are losing our sons to violence, prison and to the streets. Our leaders need to be proactive and not reactive
February 5, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
common_sense_plz (anonymous) says...
DIamondhead
Families with both a mom and dad are not necessarily better. A two parent family does not mean more love!! Every person and family structure has a lot to add to society some for better, some for worst!! Once again it goes back to how a parent parents. Discipline is the key.
As much as would love to sit here all day... I must now get some work done so that I can be back home when my child arrives.
February 5, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
cofcstudent, wrong. Violence is inborn. You have to teach infants to play nice.
February 5, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
To_live_and_die_in_Dixie (anonymous) says...
COFC2007 -- I hate to burst your bubble, but there are several gangs in the Charleston area. They are around on the peninsula, in NC, GC, S'ville and even MP. If you think there aren't any gangs here, you're living in a dream world...
February 5, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
devster (anonymous) says...
common_sense_plz:
Statistics and percentages always leave room for exceptions. It is not 100% of single parents have bad kids, it is 75% (Yes I know this is not a real one, I made it up). So you have to be proud that you did not fall victim to an expectation and rose above what is statistically likely to happen. It is people like you that can be an example for others that find themselves caught in the likelihood of failure.
Don't take offense at the stats, they are numbers and know no emotion.
February 5, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marriott99 (anonymous) says...
I agree that the Hip Hop / Gangsta culture promoted by black music producers, financed by white money-men has alot to do with this disgusting result we are confronted with today in the malls after dark. The videos they show on BET, for instance that we white folks laugh at and ridicule for the idiotic worship of bling and booty, young blacks take seriously and buy into the self-destructive culture.
A comment above boldly referred to a return to a tribal existence within the black culture, and alot of the videos seem to bear that out.
Alot of the songs are similar to a hottentot banging on a hollow log while while fertile, nearly naked natives wave their breasts and shake their butts while some doped-up idiot chants some childish sex-lyrics.
This is what this population segment views as entertainment.
February 5, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
Why do youths become violent?
Maybe because there are no consequences at home, at school or by law enforcement?
Maybe because they are raised to think of themselves as "victims" of society?
February 5, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Scnative4ever
They do have the Spongebob Jackets but i do not think there is a sponsor car. As for having grills in their mouth me i do not personal wear them look tacky and if i am trying to get a job somewhere in a corporate setting then the odds of me getting hire is slim to none. And as for these names Quniesha, and qundasha well i have to tell you they are made up name but i would not name my child that if i ever have children. I see where you are coming from with the fashion because there are black males out here who think they look good with wearing their pants sagged but look like a bunch of bums on the street.
February 5, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
To live in die in Dixie Tell me
the names of these gangs?????
what are there colors???
How many people they killed???
who are there gang leaders????
Structure??????????
What is their main source of income?????
If you can give me these answers then fine otherwise you do not know what you are talking about
February 5, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glevans (anonymous) says...
Ok, let's not put the blame on single mothers. They are doing the best they can with the resources they have. What about the the men that have walked away from these women and children and left them with nothing. No child support, no financial help...nothing.
What we need to think about is where the heck are these "children" getting guns to commit these crimes? I was raised around guns but they were kept under lock and key. I learned to shoot a gun at the age of 9 but at targets in a secure area. My father was a hunter and fisherman and he spent time with all of us, as did our mom. That is where these kids are being cheated. No one on one time with mom and dad, no supervision or questions about where have you been and what have you been doing, no restriction for doing bad in school and most of all not being taught to respect others.
Just my opinion....
February 5, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
The problems are not always caused by lack of discipline or love in the home.
Good kids can get caught up in the wrong social groups. There's a lot of pressure to be "cool" these days and most kids just want to be accepted. Some join band, chorus, or an athletic team. Others join a gang. You wouldn't believe what a group of kid's peers can get him/her to do by pressuring them. Then again, if you raise a strong willed/minded child, they will most likely pick a safer path.
I do think that parents need to take a more active roll in knowing what's going on in your child's "outside" life. Meaning the life he lives when he isn't at home. Teach your children the dangers of the world around them. And how their choices will determine their future. If they smart off to the wrong person today, they might have to face harsh consequences tomorrow. The world is no longer safe.
For instance, road rage. I was getting off on 203 the other week and some a$$hole MAJORLY cut off another driver. The driver that was cut off, honked his horn. When we reached the stop light on the corner of COllege Park and 78, the man who cut the other man off, got out of his car with a baseball bat. He walked up to the man who honked at him and busted his side mirror out. He continued to pound away at the man's vehicle until the light turned green. He saw me watching and waved his bat at me and pointed. I picked up the phone and called the police.
You've really got to be careful these days. I don't think children fully understand the dangers and consequences involved with their decisions.
We had a class field trip to a morgue when I was in 7th grade. They showed up dead bodies of people who had been murdered and who died of natural causes. It was creepy, but enlightening. They showed us statistics of murder to natural cause deaths. The numbers were amazing.
February 5, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
I favor FORCE RECON Marine Platoons patrolling the trouble spots at night. They are authorized to do as they please, no hindrances to conducting their operations. Cops and everybody else just stay the hell out of their way. A few nights of that ought to cure everyone of their social disorders.
February 5, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
To_live_and_die_in_Dixie (anonymous) says...
COFC2007 -- Do a search on 'gangs in Charleston, SC' and you'll see that there are affiliations to at least 65 gangs in South Carolina...Crips, Bloods, MS-13, etc.
All you have to do is pay attention around the area and you can see their turf "signs" in graffiti in many different places. Don't fool yourself--they are out there and are growing.
February 5, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
These are the effects of the welfare state. You will begin to slow black on black youngster crime, only when you end the welfare state.
February 5, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
To_live_and_die_in_Dixie (anonymous) says...
KidY -- You're right, it's hard to find time to think about violence when you're spending your time working to support yourself and your family...
February 5, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Strider (anonymous) says...
Bingo, Wally hit it. Bring back the draft! Nothing like 4 years in the military to get your focus back.
February 5, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
My_50Cents_Worth (anonymous) says...
I know it pleases pseudo- statisticians to post numbers/percentages with no sources to back their 'findings.' It should be noted that the article does not depict a 'they/them' problem; it is an 'us/we' problem. We are all affected or can potentially be affected by what is going on with regard to our youth whether we have a dual parent household, are Black, White, educated, or what have you. It is also important to know that at any given time "us/we" can be a "they/them."
What could be done to get parents more involved with their children? Hold parents more accountable for the actions of their children. I am referring to "accountability" in the manner in which the Gadsden Green situation would have truly exemplified. If I recall correctly the premise which outraged so many was: you cannot or will not properly raise your kids, you and perhaps your family suffer the consequences.
I personally do not agree that single parent households are the prime culprits of all that is wrong in Charleston, South Carolina or anywhere in the world. It has been my observation and I truly believe that it is the lack of interest, control, discipline, structure and veracity of one, both, or the only ACTIVE parent. When the aforementioned is compromised in any way the end results is what is currently taking place:uncultivated youths.
My observation has been that there is a sense of hopelessness among our youth black and white. Honor, respect and value of self and other people has long ago disappeared. These are basic fundamentals that are/or should be taught at home. We now live in an age where there is a 20 year old mother, 40 year old grandmother, 60 year old great grandmother and it is difficult to tell who is the mature responsible adult: since no one wants to be "old." Nowadays youth is synonymous with fun and unfortunately everyone wants to be "the life of the party." Unfortunately and quite often, "being the life of the party" comes at the expense of raising upstanding, law-abiding, God-fearing, taxpaying citizens.
When more is done to: (1) 'end the party' [so to speak], (2) make parents realize that there are to be boundaries between them and their children and (3) send the message to parents that raising children is a responsibility/obligation to which they have committed themselves [whether or not you 'signed up' to parent alone or with a partner]-I believe that then and only then, will the issues with America's youths be resolved.
It is a really sad state of affairs and, unfortunately, it may get worse before it gets better.
February 5, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Diamondhead (anonymous) says...
Common sense:.
We're talking about these kids and what is best for these kids. We're not talking about the ME GENERATION. I realize we're in the age of the liberal feminist, independent, do all mom but we have kids that are running wild in the streets. What is best for the liberated, self absorbed single mom doesn't necessary mean that is the best thing for all women. A woman must have her options open to her and adoption as painful as it might be for her might be the best thing for the kid's interest and also the community. I realized that this doesn't sit well with the ME generation but it not all about you, it's about these kids.
February 5, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
No archdude, we'll just sit around and do nothing like always, have a few more rally's, meetings, stop the violence marches etc.....meanwhile society will be over run by the criminal element. Let me know when you think FORCE RECON Marines is a good idea.......maybe after the thugs start raping your neighborhood.
February 5, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
camigreen (anonymous) says...
cofc2007,
Sorry for the late comment but, if you honestly think that we do not have an up and coming gang problem in South Carolina you are sadly mistaken. Trust me I have first hand knowledge in this category.
February 5, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Archdude, I'm with you and I have been with the program for many years.....the current system has failed and is falling off and is no longer effective. Our courts are maxed out, prisons maxed out, cops understaffed and some kids just don't care to get "education" they want drugs, crime and gangs its a lot less effort for them. Some just choose a violent lifestyle regardless of what the parents say, the teachers say or anyone else says. They are just plain bad, violent and just plain do not care. FORCE RECON was strictly my sick sense of humor, I'm sure you were aware of that.
February 5, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
webwe (anonymous) says...
Well, the schools share some of the blame. That's where some of these kids learn to be criminals - when they link up with their peers. Then an opportunity (an open window) combined with an evil impulse leads to a criminal act.
The Greek philosopher Plato drew the lesson from Socrates condemnation that emotional impulses could lead to the commission of evil. And the ability to act virtuously came from bringing emotion and desire under the control of reasoned thought.
February 5, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Well, we have kids becoming parents at 16, therefore the grandmother is 32, and the great grandmother is 48? There is the beginning of the problem. Education ends at around 14 - 16 yrs old. And that's if they were actually getting anything out of school. The whole rap culture has ruined a whole generation of young people. Immediate gratification is what's important. These young men don't have fathers to look up to. They don't see men going to work everyday, supporting their families, then coming home and being the disciplinarions. They are seeing their mothers working (maybe not and living on gov't asst) and their boyfriends of the month. They are seeing their mothers have children by different men. They do what they see.
It's a badge of honor to get arrested.
They say they can't get jobs. They are unhireable they way they come in to apply. I am not hiring a person that has pants hanging down, a grill in their mouth, hat crooked, and talks with a slang.
As long as they keep making excuses, it's going to continue. Put the blame where it needs to be.
February 5, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
webwe - The schools are not to blame because they hook up with other troublemakers there. The parents made those troublemakers and sent them to school. Then the schools won't put them out when they cause trouble. They won't because the parent then decides they need to go to school and blame everyone else when their child continously disrupts the day. Even though they had been contacted about a possible real problem earlier. There are no consequences for bad behavior anymore.
February 5, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol Dixie i never seen any signs or graffi at all maybe the MS-13 yeah but there are no gangs here in Charleston. Maybe in Columbia or Greenville. Again i am going to say there is a thing call wanna-be gangsters. lol lol lol lol.
February 5, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
forget: what about the criminals that are spawned out of wedlock and money? What's their excuse? What can they blame their actions on? Daddy and mommy are there. They both work.
February 5, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
I beleive forget is spot on
February 5, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Most of it comes to just paying attention to what your children are doing. In my house you come under search and seizure laws. If I think that you might be up to something, I may decide to do a "search". I don't go for that "invading their privacy" crap. Privacy is earned. If I think that you have violated my trust, you lose that priveledge. My house/my laws. I raised step children and a nephew. I have a 11 yr old. The older children turned out to be contributing members of society. My 11 yr old is a really good kid. And I am a single mother. But I pay close attention to what she does everyday. I go to school periodically, and I get her involved in activities. Pay attention to what's in front of you and make THEM accountable for their screw ups.
February 5, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
I have something similar to the no closed doors in mine, also. If it's closed, I closed it. (little girls giggling sometimes is like nails on a chalkboard) If the dresser drawers are in my house, I can look in them, etc. My step children will attest that nothing much gets by me. They didn't appreciate it at 14, but the daughter at 25 now says she understands. I made them pay the price for doing wrong. Made the punishment fit the crime.
February 5, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
My_50Cents_Worth (anonymous) says...
Forget,
I find your comment about single parents, mothers in particular quite troubling. Is it your premise that all single mothers epitomize your description below with the exception, of course, of you?
You posted:
Posted by forget (anonymous) on February 5, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
":These young men don't have fathers to look up to. They don't see men going to work everyday, supporting their families, then coming home and being the disciplinarions. They are seeing their mothers working (maybe not and living on gov't asst) and their boyfriends of the month. They are seeing their mothers have children by different men."
And then you follow that comment with:
Posted by forget (anonymous) on February 5, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
":And I am a single mother:"
Stereotypically, you and your style of parenting [single parenting] are included in what you just posted. I am certain that you are an awesome parent and run a structured household, as did my single mother when I was being raised. So I am quite baffled by portions of your comments. Do you realize that "at first glance" most people, if they know you are a single parent do not see you any differently from the stereotypical single parent you posted about? Think about that...
February 5, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
forget, you obviously had good parents......I know I did, I wish you well in all you do raising your kids.
February 5, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Now, when they're older, they make their own choices. But it is the parents RESPONSIBILITY to give them the tools they need to make decisions that affect their lives. These young men and women aren't given the basic tools to work with.
February 5, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
I'm not a single parent by choice, (father made other personal decisions) but he still is an influence in her life. She sees him going to work and running his business. I wasn't going to let her become another statistic, and neither was I.
AFWALLY - actually, I had a pair of alcoholics as parents, my mother raised us by herself for most of our teen years. My 2 sisters and I are educated, and we feel that we learned from that experience as well. As the three of us look back at our parents, we are the direct opposite of them.
February 5, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disco (anonymous) says...
I believe for the most part that it is the parents that determine a childs' values/morals etc... but how do you explain instances like Jeffrey Dahmer? He supposedly had a normal upbringing.
February 5, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
My_50Cents_Worth (anonymous) says...
I would venture to say, given the fact that men and women have different perceptions about love/sex/commitment, the vast majority of single parents are not single parents "by choice":regardless to whether or not protective measures to avoid 'parenthood' were used.
Which goes back to "we/us" can be a "they/them" at any point in time. Even when we think we have life all figured out.
All single parents who are doing their best to raise their children properly have my utmost respect. I realize that not all parents fall under the stereotypical 'umbrella."
God bless you and may your children be blessed.
February 5, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Posted by COFC2007 (anonymous) on February 5, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Scnative4ever
They do have the Spongebob Jackets but i do not think there is a sponsor car. As for having grills in their mouth me i do not personal wear them look tacky and if i am trying to get a job somewhere in a corporate setting then the odds of me getting hire is slim to none.
Tell that to Condeleeza Aisha Rice
February 5, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
allwoman - you're my kind of mom!
I had a friends son staying with us last year (he was 22). Thought he was acting strangly. Went in and did a quick search (my house/my laws) and found what I was looking for. He had 48 hours to get out. I didn't listen to any excuses, and he wasn't a minor, so there wasn't any reason he needed to stay for. He did something he shouldn't have, he had to pay the price.
February 5, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
I am going to say this one more time there are no gangs here in Charleston and nobody has not given me no information at all none zero. If there were gangs then we would have the same problems like Compton California or the major to mid level city. Until someone tell me
The name of the gangs???????
Who are the gang leaders????????
What is there source of income???????????
What what streets and areas in Charleston they are located at?????????????
Were any of the killings gang related????????
Until you can give me that i may believe you other wise it is a myth and do not say Eastside or Westside downtown or the kind of clothing they wear that is not gang affliation
February 5, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
The reasons to have more children.
1. Decent place to live for only a small charge a month.
2. You can work and example earn 14,000.00 a year.
3. You will pay no tax if you file a 1040 tax return and claim head of household with at least two children under 19 as dependents
4. Your fed refund will be near $4,000.00 back with EIC and childtax credit if under 16 even if you did not pay anything in witholdings.
5. Medicaid for you and your children.
6. Food stamps
7. Have a live in boyfiend live at your place with his name off the lease. His funds can help out with things and not count toward your household income.
8. If Child is about to reach age 18 go for more children and start over.
February 5, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Wow John S that is typical of White women as well too.
February 5, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
My_50Cents_Worth (anonymous) says...
CoC2007:
Gangs really seem to be an important issue to you. Most people who are outside of the culture do not have the information you are asking. I would even agree with you that perhaps, there are 'wanna be gangsters' in the area and their presence is not as vastas in larger cities like L.A., Philadelphia etc. One does not have to see the actual activity to know they exist. Call them gangs, clubs whatever you like, but there is some element of "organized" thugs in Charleston.
Your line of questioning reads like:
Do you believe in God??????
Have you ever seen God????
Is God a man or woman?????
Where does God live??????
Does God wear Gucci?????
Have you ever heard God's voice?????
Does God drive a Chevy, Ford, or import?????
The questions are quite irrelevant. At the end of the day either you believe in God or not AND whether or not the questions are answered your beliefs are your beliefs. Substitute "God" with "gangs" and the conclusion is the same.
February 5, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
This is not a simple problem. There are multiple factors. If you threw all of these posts together, you would have your answer. If you start with a baby, different factors will hurt or help his/her chances of becoming a peaceful, law-abiding adult. Kids raised by single parents are at a disadvantage for all the reasons mentioned here. It makes it harder, but not impossible. Some single mothers DO raise good kids, and we should applaud them. The MTV/Hip Hop subculture glorifies violence. Does EVERY kid who watches/listens, become a violent street thug? No, but many, maybe even most of them, do. They are growing up with all the wrong role models. Maybe they should look to those single mothers who DO raise the good kids. They are great role models. I understand that schools today can't teach religion , in that they can't teach theology. Whose would you teach? There are 35,000 Christian denominations out there, not to mention other religions. But they have gone way off in the other extreme direction and won't allow God to even be mentioned. Things like posting the 10 Commandments in the hallway, but NOT TEACHING religion in the classroom sounds like a reasonable compromise. But sending a subliminal message that God is not welcome, doesn't exactly help the situation. The majority of the world's religions agree on a basic code of right and wrong. But the American Public School system, in its zeal to come across as not supporting "religion" has in turn come across to the students as not supporting the basic idea of "right and wrong". They tell kids to develop their own ideas of right and wrong. Not a good idea. Again, there is no simple, one-stop solution, but that shouldn't cause anyone to discredit any one of these factors.
February 5, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
You're correct, we all have as many ideas on how to fix it as there are children that need "fixing". We can't fix the outside problems until the problems are fixed inside the home. One of the things I'm adament about is the detrimental effect the whole "rapculture" has had on our children. If the parents take a stand, block those channels from their tvs, ban the cds in their homes, boycott their movies, then they will have to make changes in the music industry. The first steps have to be made somewhere.
February 5, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
To_live_and_die_in_Dixie (anonymous) says...
My_50 -- Thanks for the great comparison! I was just going to explain to COFC that since I don't have any association to gang members, I really can't spout statistics about them. You gave a great explanation. Unfortunately, with his outstanding grasp of English grammar, he may not understand what you said... Hope this isn't what C of C is teaching in their Grammar and Composition classes these days!
February 5, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
To_live_and_die_in_Dixie (anonymous) says...
COFC2007 -- Where do you think gang members come from?? They all start out as 'wanna-be' thugs!
February 5, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Okay what My 50 cents worth why did you brought up me not believing in God???? certain yes but i was asking Dixie this question and as for organized gangs here please just another group of individuals committing crime to make a buck. People are just trying to make hype where there is no hype at all. Finally as for people wearing Gucci and driving Chevy Impalas i would not care less about them doing drive them at all there hard earn money or whatever way they got it. I am going to stop arguing on here because nobody has not given me the answer i want so .
February 5, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Well to live and die in Dixie you are the biggest idiot on here you have not answer my question at all. Where are the gangs where??????? That is some English for you. Until you answer my question then your argument and assumption about gangs here in Charleston is invalid.
February 5, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Okay this is a point for everyone if you are going to put information on here about gangs or organized crime in Charleston County make sure you have stats and figures because some of these people on here do not know what they are talking about period. Or better yet give me a news article that are gangs here in Charleston.
February 5, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
A two parent family can have an absent father/mother as well. The parent can live in the same household and don't have anything to do with the kids school, social life, or upbringing. Can't blame fault on how many household members are in the home but the upbringing will/can have alot to do with it.
Every weekend my kids and I cook together and I have so much fun watching them. That's my grand entertainment.
February 5, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Thank you for the information which i already knew about Greenville and Columbia. But as for Charleston and North Charleston having 25 percent of the crimes gang related hard to believe. there are gangs at all here period but you are right about Greenville and Columbia.
February 5, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Mean to say there are no gangs at all period in Charleston County sorry.
February 5, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
To_live_and_die_in_Dixie (anonymous) says...
Thanks archdude -- Maybe COFC wants to join a gang and needs names for references... Or maybe he wants to start his own gang and needs to know who his enemies will be???
COFC -- Believe what you want, but they are out there. I just hope you don't meet up with any of them in the dark on the peninsula...
February 5, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Okay i am going to agree with you on Columbia and Greenville Because a guy i was in class with at Trident Tech told me about the gang problems in Greenville about five years ago. As for Charleston well you do have drug dealers, robbers, and murders. but no gangs period. And if there were gangs then we would have known there existence because Charleston is not that big but i want to ask you something archdude do you live in the hood or the suburbs????? As for reference well Dixie brought it up and i feel that you bring something like that up then you need to have prove or info to go with it. As for the name calling i've been called worst so keep it coming.
February 5, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
I read did some reading on the Criminal Justice website but the gang problem is loose at best bunch of wanna-be. still have not convince me at all.
February 5, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
I ask you do you live in the suburbs or in the bad areas in Charleston that is what i am asking because you see what is on T.V. i want you to spend a day on Liberty Hill, Accabee, or the Macon and fine me the name of the gang he or she is part of otherwise you can stop believing the media these so call experts.
February 5, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disco (anonymous) says...
Charleston's local law enforcement came to my place of work to talk about gang activity in the area. I was shocked with how many gangs/gang members there are around here. It's not a myth - it's a fact! If you don't believe, then maybe you should contact the authorities and ask if they will come to your place of employment or school to discuss what's going on in your area.
February 5, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
disco did they tell you the name of the gangs?????
February 5, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
I am not even talking to you archdude you cannot answer my question do you live in the suburbs or in a low income area???
February 5, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disco (anonymous) says...
Yeah, one was called MS 13 and their rivals use the #14 - not sure what they are called. They are mainly in the area of Ashley Phosphate and Stall Rd. There are also gangs with ties to the Crips/Bloods. I can't remember all of the names because there is so many of them. They seem to name themselves after the neighborhood they live in though.
February 5, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fragdemon (anonymous) says...
greyrider -
There are other ways to teach "right and wrong", and "moral values" without having to have Christianity taught or sponsored in a classroom. Other people have posted this and I'll say it again as well, these are mostly kids that are having kids now-a-days and these so called kid-parents were never taught morals themselves. So it continues on, one generation after another like a virus.
February 5, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Yeah i do believe you on the MS 13 come from Central America very ruthless individuals thank you for the information disco that what i was looking for thank again.
February 5, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
fragdemon, I openly acknowledge that we can't teach Christianity in the classroom, but the schools have to quit sending the reverse message that "all religion is bad" to the children of America. Anyone that denies that the public school system (in general) is doing that is naive.
February 5, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Well disco gave me the info i needed so i am not going into the childish name calling waste of my time and energy.
February 5, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
My_50Cents_Worth (anonymous) says...
Archdude, Dixie and those of you who are engaging COFC:
COFC is a fraudulent poster. It is my hypothesis that he/she [strong guess, he] is a regular poster who is "dumbing his self down" to pass as an ignorant Black poster. Re-read all the posts and you will find how inconsistent the grammar is. In some posts he's completely ignorant, in others the sentences are more structured. This person has given his self away.
COFC: Good job passing as an ignoramus, how absurd!
February 5, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
To_live_and_die_in_Dixie (anonymous) says...
Go archdude! I can't imagine why COFC is so obsessed with the gang stuff! He seems happy with the MS-13 info (same that I gave him in 10:24 post). Glad somebody was able to pacify him...
February 5, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
You can call me name i do not care at do not make a difference to me because i am hardly on here so. Again you are making yourselves look really stupid with the name calling you are the ones making the debate look really bad not me.
February 5, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fragdemon (anonymous) says...
greyrider - I see what you are saying and I think that more than likely, this comes from our society now having to be so politically correct in everything we do and say. Which leads to this reverse effect of thinking that if I cant mention this or that one, then I just wont say anything about all of them. And by not saying anything about any of them leaves children in the dark.
February 5, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
fragdemon - exactly
50 cents - I'm impressed. I never caught that about COFC, but it's true.
February 5, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
I am loving this here is a guy who would be sacred as hell to go into a low income neighborhood during the day. probably a white guy and racist to the core. Do not like black people at all. Probably would not even allowed a black man to eat at your table archdude. but keep coming with the name calling though it is funny to me.
February 5, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disco (anonymous) says...
Maybe COFC thought I was a little more credible because I actually was briefed by law authorities. I'm in the Air Force, so everytime I move to a new base we get info about the local area. I was really surprised by the gang activity here. I guess you can't escape it - it's everywhere!
February 5, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Yeah disco at least you gave me info i can go on and not calling people names.
February 5, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
now_here_this (anonymous) says...
North Charleston area "gangs"
D-Road
Ashley Shores Crew
Money Macon
OTR
Pepper Hill Posse
4-Mile
10-Mile
MS-13
I'm sure there are more. NCPD has a task force specifically to combat gang activity. I attended a free public awareness seminar conducted by members of the task force. If CofC wants more info, I suggest he go to the experts.
February 5, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Again thank you Now_here_This as for the Money Macon i used to live around there and i knew the guys around there they were into drug dealing mainly but again thank you for that info that what i was looking because these other jackasses are name calling so.
February 5, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Archdude you are a bigot and i know you are a white man f------ b------ you do not know a damn thing about me okay. You are making yourself an ass because i did not say a d--- about you or on here correcting people grammar at all. So the people are going to look at you badly then me.
February 5, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
You are the one calling people names archdude not me.
February 5, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Now the article says "Why do youths become violent."
Easy by reading the comments on the message board......
Be nice people.....It's not hard!
Have a great day!
February 5, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Instead of you degrading me calling me a f--- troll show me some respect because i showed you respect in the earlier posts
February 5, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
It is not hard at all when you calling someone a troll you know nothing about me zero period the end.
February 5, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TGW2779 (anonymous) says...
Man i see we have one person calling this guy a troll and the name calling going on in here. Instead of following up one person just talk about the issue of youth violent crime instead of calling each other names.
February 5, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
Kumbayah, my Lord, Kumbayah
Come on, COFC, you know the words
Kumbayah, oh Lord, Kumbayah
February 5, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Sometimes you learn all you need to learn about someone from their demeanor. I can tell if person is someone I care to associate with from one conversation.
If it looks like a duck.....
February 5, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TGW2779 (anonymous) says...
Here is the solution with youth violence in our community???? instead of blaming Hip Hop and Television the responsibility should fall on the parents. Because it is the job of the parents to keep their children in check not the school or law enforcement. Without the involvement of the parents, then the youth is going to commit crime or join a gang of some sort. I probably have grammaical errors (spell it wrong but i wish Post and Courier had spell check at least you know.
February 5, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TGW2779 (anonymous) says...
Well you are right allwoman and archdude you do have some ignorant people on here make you wonder sometimes why bother coming on here. However, after seeing some of these post you say to yourself what type of education they have you know.
February 5, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrjm (anonymous) says...
I think everyone should name the reasons they did not misbehave when they were younger; it really shows how different things are today and answers the question as to why more and more kids are committing crimes.
I behaved because:
...if I didn't, I would get an a$$ whipping
...I feared my parents
...whatever sports or clubs I belonged to in High School would kick you out if you got in trouble
...every year of high school, the inmates in the "Scared Straight" program would come speak, tell you what jail was like (and they did not speak politely, or look pretty believe me)
...if you got in trouble, you suffered the consequences - there were no "second chances"
...AND no other "reason" for misbehavior was ever considered - my misbehavior was MY FAULT, not my parents, not society, not our class or race. ALL ME.
February 5, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Archdude- I know but you are such an intelligent person so you don't need to bow down to anyone. Use your words and if they can't understand them, then oh well. You are a good guy I can tell by your posts.
February 5, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TGW2779 (anonymous) says...
Great point mrjm
February 5, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Born_n_raisedowntown (anonymous) says...
C OF C
They believe everything they read on the internet.
- They think violence is new to Charleston
- They think every housing project Downtown is "Gadsden Green"
- They think "gangs" are infiltrating Charleston
etc....etc....etc
Charleston been one of the most violent cities in America for almost 350 years now. There has never NOT been a time in Charleston, South Carolina history where it wasnt crime ridden and violent.
Gangs could never run nothin in Charleston. The city is too buckwild and people represent where they from. Not no 'gangs'. We leave that fake corny gang clown sh*t to them places like Columbia and Greenville.
Thats all. If I tried to refute every misinformed comment on here regarding Charleston its history of violence and gangs Id be typing all night.
Hopefully one of you clowns will be the recipient of one of these violent crimes and it makes you move somewhere else away from Charleston.
February 5, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Born_n_raisedowntown (anonymous) says...
I meant to say there has never been a time. Not there has never "NOT" been a time.
Charleston has always been bad.
February 5, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Born_n_raisedowntown (anonymous) says...
Not true.
And another big LOL @ you trying to tell people actually from the community whats going on in the community. You internet dudes are hilarious.
February 5, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Perspective (anonymous) says...
I did not read this post until now. It is histerical. Archdude's response of "if troll-like, then troll" had me rolling.
As for the article, Regardless of race any educated person knows what the problems are. Bill Cosby talks about it. It is ashame that others do not or will not admit it. While Jesse and Al are making up words they should be addressing the real issues.
February 5, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Born_n_raisedowntown (anonymous) says...
Theres a clear difference between gangs like Crips and Bloods, etc...etc....and neighborhood posses. There are many cities just like Charleston that do not have gangs but have neighborhood posses. These have ALWAYS been in the city of Charleston. This is nothing new.
What you outsider people are suggesting is that gangs like Crips and Bloods are 'infiltrating Charleston' and has something to do with the current crime.
Which Im telling you is false.
February 5, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Born_n_raisedowntown (anonymous) says...
Lemme be more specific. Of course there are migrant gang members originally from other places that now live in the metropolitan port city metro area of Charleston, just like any other city of this size would.
But the point Im trying to make is that those clowns have no bearing on the crime in Charleston and they run no respectable neighborhoods. They have no say so in our city. And as long as real deal Charlestonians continue to be the dominant residents of our great city they will continue to be say-so-less and powerless in Charleston. If there was a color coded map of the Charleston metro area. The places you would find "gangs" would be in places like Ladson, Goose Creek, Sumerville, upper-upper North Charleston. Those people are not from Charleston. They dont have no say so regarding nothing in Charleston. There is no Crip or Blood Folk GD MS-17 or whatever them bulls**t is in the city of Charleston that could run no neighborhood within our city. Yall watch too much tv.
Yall stay there keep believin these stuff yall read in the paper and see on the internet. LOL. Aint got a clue on what you talkin bout.
February 5, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TGW2779 (anonymous) says...
As i was looking at everyone comments I wonder to myself why are people on here are not talking about the Post & Courier article????? That was the purpose not call someone names or thinking you are better than someone else because you have a college education. As for gangs here in Charleston, I read COFC post and he ask Dixie these questions:
Where are the gangs are located????
Were there gang related deaths???
Who are the gang leaders????
That was all COFC was asking, but instead you have people on here calling this person names. And everyone do not even know who this person is at all period.
Back to gangs instead of listen to a so called expert or getting your fact off the internet then you should go into the low income neighborhood or the African American barbershop where you can actually find out the names of these so call gangs.
As for Grammar well COFC is not the only person on here. There are other on here who have serious errors. in addition, people have written books that had serious grammar errors, but instead the publisher let the book sell without someone taking a second look at the work.
Finally, there is a different between being street smart and book smart and if you are book smart fine. However, if you do not know anything about the streets then you have no clue as to what is going on out there if you actually experience those problems.
February 5, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outrage (anonymous) says...
sted by COFC2007 (anonymous) on February 5, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol Dixie i never seen any signs or graffi at all maybe the MS-13 yeah but there are no gangs here in Charleston. Maybe in Columbia or Greenville. Again i am going to say there is a thing call wanna-be gangsters. lol lol lol lol.
Hells Angels - Just for one! Don't be naive.
February 5, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
"He wrote that an analysis of the 2,913 violent assaults with handguns between 1992 and 2006 shows that the victims were 27 percent white and 73 percent black. The suspects in these crimes were 16 percent white and 79 percent black. For the 136 murders during that period, the victims were 19 percent white and 76 percent black. The suspects in the murders were 13 percent white and 87 percent black."
With these stats, the KKK does not need to do anything. These stats are the same in every city that I travel too across this country. I think we are close to losing a generation of black males! We have to save the ones that want to be saved.
February 5, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blackwoman (anonymous) says...
During this historic time in American History, when an African-American Senator has the opportunity to be a Presidential Candidate, the dialoge on this site truly speaks to the ignorance of the citizens of this state. Crime is everywhere, gangs are everywhere, prejudice is everywhere. It is up to each and every UNITED STATES CITIZEN to be ever vigilant. Don't hire illegals to clean your house or watch your children. Personally, I'll do without or pay $5 for a head of lettuce due to criminal influx of illegal aliens.
February 5, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
As i was looking at everyones posts and opinion i said to myself we have some ignorant individuals on here. And here is why
1)Looking at everyone's posted in other article say alot about these people in here either they are racist, ignorant, or just down right stupid.
2)Some of these people do not have a clue in what is going on in the Black community at all. But instead saying people are on welfare, get food stamp and etc.
3)The Post & Courier put this article up for the purpose of intelligent debate not calling somebody names or putting down someone.
4)Putting someones grammar down considering that a good portions of the people who are putting up their posts up have bad grammatical errors as well. Nobody is not perfect period.
5)If you are going to talk about Gangs i suggest reading this call Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh or better yet Freakonomics that has a chapter talking about Sudhir Venkastesh and gangs. Furthermore, the argument concerning gangs in Charleston is invalid because you are relying to much on the internet and stats that changes every year or many case do not carry that much weight.
6)For the ones that call themselves bashing me I would like to see how well you would do in an actually debate instead of this internet. And i mean a face to face debate without the internet.
7)In the earlier posts i was talking to one person about NASCAR and other issues. Until Dixie or whatever his name is talked about the gang issue and i ask him some question he could not come up with. So in theory he came up with graffiti on the walls throughout Charleston County. Well that is not an argument rather he has no clue about gangs at all.
8) Instead of relying on experts go into one into the black community and ask a community leader about the gang problems and he or she will give you the real answers. Instead of a police officer who is only around that area for about 12 hours. Better yet go into the middle and high schools and ask the kids themselves because they have the answers more than a so-called expert.
9)One person did made a point The U.S. Congress has been spend money on this study for some years now and to me it is a waste of times. However, this person made another interesting point that just because a group of kids hangout together does not mean they are a gang.
10) It is true that there is the MS13 from Central America as for Ashley Shores Crew, 5 Mile, Money Macon, and various of other a person brought to my attention. Well here it is the people in those neighborhood fight against each other anyway which equals to no unity at all to form a strong gang.
)Another point this person made was that these individuals are wanna-be gangster which means they are copycats. Which equals to the national gangs not even given these guys the time of day.
February 5, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COFC2007 (anonymous) says...
Number five reading this book called Gang leader for a day
February 5, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EducatedMom5 (anonymous) says...
Excuse me, I thought that the title of the article was "Why do youths become violent? People here have totally went off on another tangent.
The facts are:
*Children have a lot more idle time.
*Some parents may not be involved in their childrens lives as they should.
*It doesn't matter if the household is ran by a single parent or both parents, children are committing crimes.
*The race of the child is not always the factor. (for this article I understand the issue of the alarming rate of African-American young people committing various crimes against others and themselves) We can not forget that across the country you have White young people killing classmates, shoppers, church members, and some even their entire families.
We as parents need to take responsibility for our children showing them how to live their lives by the positive examples that we live before them. We need to make religion and education strong influences in the raising of our children. Parents should get their children involved with extracurricular activities. Parents should teach their children to value life and true friendships.
Parents get involved!
Oh yeah as far as the issue of gangs, they are here in the Lowcountry and throughout South Carolina. My husband is an educator and all of the gang names mentioned in an earlier post are "real". The neighborhood gangs and the local "chapters" of Crips, Bloods,etc are here.
February 6, 2008 at 2:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Born_n_raisedowntown (anonymous) says...
It dont matter if your husband is an educator here or not. Somebody need to educate him on this subject.
Those names are NOT local chapters of no Crips and Bloods lady. You do not have a clue on what you are talking about.
February 6, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EducatedMom5 (anonymous) says...
Born_n_raisedowntown....if you would have taken the time and clearly read my post you would have noted that I said "The neighborhood gangs and the local "chapters" of Crips, Bloods,etc are here." I did not say anything about other names being associated with the Crips and the Bloods. If you took the time to be less hostile, I'm certain that you could possibly comprehend a little. You should go out and get an education and profession, then maybe you'll have a clue.
The neighborhood gangs were mentioned in a earlier post shown below....
Posted by now_here_this (anonymous) on February 5, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
North Charleston area "gangs"
D-Road
Ashley Shores Crew
Money Macon
OTR
Pepper Hill Posse
4-Mile
10-Mile
MS-13
February 6, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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