A Disturbing, Violent Trend...It's Time that America Talks About This

[epicSocialism4tw]

A disturbing, violent trend

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By Jemele Hill
Page 2

"Wrong place at the wrong time."

Who knew the wrong place to be on New Year's Eve was at a party welcoming in the new year? Who knew the wrong time to be murdered was now – when people are so callous about death that it's almost as if we're asking the victim, "Just what did you do to get yourself murdered?"

There are many words to describe the senseless killing of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams. Unfortunate. Heartbreaking. Sad. But here's the one word we can't use in describing such a death: Unexpected.


Why are we no longer shocked to hear that a black athlete has been murdered?
Over the past 12 months, three NFL players have been shot, and in the past couple weeks, police discovered one NFL player, Bears defensive lineman Tank Johnson, had enough weapons in his home to mount a terrorist attack. University of Miami lineman Bryan Pata was shot to death at his apartment complex in November. In Denver alone, three notable athletes have been shot since 2003 – Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, Denver Nuggets guard Julius Hodge and now, tragically, Williams.

One unavoidable commonality about these episodes of gunplay: all of the athletes are black.

It leads to an inevitable question from all of us, but particularly mainstream America: Why do black athletes often seem to find themselves either holding a gun or staring down the barrel of one?

Real talk for a moment.

Contrary to stodgy opinions, young men have a right to go out. They want to hang with their peers. They want to talk to women. They want to show off a little of their success. Nothing wrong with any of that – as long as they're careful.

Who they're with, what time they're out and what they have is only a small part of the issue. The larger problem here is the one no one is ready to openly discuss.

While America is generally a violent place, no culture in this country glorifies violence more than the African-American community. And consequently, no other racial group is as disproportionately affected by it.

This isn't to say black people invented violence or have a penchant for it. But far too many of us glorify shooting people for revenge, perceived slights or to prove toughness. Two things you almost always see when "MTV Cribs" features a black superstar: a poster of Tony Montana and a poster of the Godfather. Montana and Michael Corleone, though fictional, are considered heroes by young black men everywhere. Montana and Corleone had one thing in common: both killed people to gain respect.

BET, the same network that saw fit to cut its nightly news program, has a new show called "American Gangster," which "chronicles the life and times of some of Black America's most notorious crime figures." It's explained that the program has a strong moral component and doesn't seek to glorify violence, but on BET's Web site the show is promoted by showing Ving Rhames, the king of cool, in slick gangster apparel – as if he were promoting a music video, not a show about violent criminals.

And sure enough, right beneath Rhames' promo ad, a BET dot.commer says, "Young, black males will look at this [show] as an inspiration."

Now, criminal biographies appear on The History Channel all the time, but the difference is that violence is often marketed to blacks in a way that makes it appear more sexy and daring.

Black men constantly receive the message that they can't make it in life through using legitimate means, and the only way they gain society's respect is through the street game.

This is the mentality black athletes greet when they go to the club. A recent Public Library of Science Medicine study shows black men living in urban America have the shortest life expectancy of any other racial group in the country. The life expectancy of a black man in Cleveland is closer to that of West Africans than the average white American. So wearing a jersey every Sunday doesn't protect you from anything.

Of course, movies and songs don't make people kill people, but they can influence the way people think and live.

But ultimately, if we want to see fewer black athletes as victims of violence, African-Americans must stop worshiping at the altar of their own demise.

Jemele Hill, a Page 2 columnist and writer for ESPN the Magazine, can be reached at jemeleespn@gmail.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/070104&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

[Spider]

WTF ?? been time to talk about it 20 years ago or better ............ Cant believe People are just now catching on there is a problem ............ Try this one on for size , back in the 80's Truck Driver pulls into a rest area t ocall his wife ........Gets gunned down in the back by a guy with a Shotgun for 40.00 ........and 20+ years later it is time to talk about violence ?

[epicSocialism4tw]

WTF ?? been time to talk about it 20 years ago or better ............ Cant believe People are just now catching on there is a problem ............ Try this one on for size , back in the 80's Truck Driver pulls into a rest area t ocall his wife ........Gets gunned down in the back by a guy with a Shotgun for 40.00 ........and 20+ years later it is time to talk about violence ?

No, there is a more specific issue at hand. One that involves the glorification of violence in our media. Specifically in music, in television, video games, and movies. That's what the article is about.

[ant1999e]

Oh, I thought the article was about truckdrivers getting shot at rest stops.

[Spider]

No, there is a more specific issue at hand. One that involves the glorification of violence in our media. Specifically in music, in television, video games, and movies. That's what the article is about.

been that way for 20 years or better ..............Hollywood and Violence has gone hand in hand since the 30's ............ More Graphic today , but the same over all production Video games are kinda new , and reach a large market ....But our Society has been glorifing Violence for decades

[ZachKC]

No, there is a more specific issue at hand. One that involves the glorification of violence in our media. Specifically in music, in television, video games, and movies. That's what the article is about.

If parents would ya know...

Be parents.

[Spider]

Oh, I thought the article was about truckdrivers getting shot at rest stops.

try not to think ............... hate to see you have an anurism

[cutthemdown]

when I said in an earlier post part of black athletes problem was that they thirst for street crediblility. It was pretty much labeled racist but this article is saying the same thing all be it by a much better writer.

[Popps]

Black men constantly receive the message that they can't make it in life through using legitimate means, and the only way they gain society's respect is through the street game.

To make matters worse, black kid's "other" option is to play sports... in the minds of many. Let's see... I can gang-bang and end up dead by 24... OR, I can rap or play sports.... careers that make up about .00000000000000005% of the working population in America. Great strategy.

Meanwhile, if you're an Asian American... you're dealing with a set of standards that expects you to complete school, become a doctor, accountant, programmer, etc.

Until the adults in said communities start setting the standards for excellence properly for these kids, we'll continue to see those kids making poor choices.

[cutthemdown]

Black men constantly receive the message that they can't make it in life through using legitimate means, and the only way they gain society's respect is through the street game.

To make matters worse, black kid's "other" option is to play sports... in the minds of many. Let's see... I can gang-bang and end up dead by 24... OR, I can rap or play sports.... careers that make up about .00000000000000005% of the working population in America. Great strategy.

Meanwhile, if you're an Asian American... you're dealing with a set of standards that expects you to complete school, become a doctor, accountant, programmer, etc.

Until the adults in said communities start setting the standards for excellence properly for these kids, we'll continue to see those kids making poor choices.

I agree but what can black parents do to make children realize that thug life or being a star athlete is not all that is cool or respectable? How do you get a young male to see that going to chemistry class and becoming a chemist is just as cool as playing RB?

[Dukes]

Black men constantly receive the message that they can't make it in life through using legitimate means, and the only way they gain society's respect is through the street game.Until the adults in said communities start setting the standards for excellence properly for these kids, we'll continue to see those kids making poor choices.

They'd rather blame other people for their problems than fix their own

[Popps]

I agree but what can black parents do to make children realize that thug life or being a star athlete is not all that is cool or respectable? How do you get a young male to see that going to chemistry class and becoming a chemist is just as cool as playing RB?

That's the question, and I sure don't have the answer. I wish I did.

All I know is, I love kids. My daughter is technically a minority, and I've already got people asking me if she's hispanic, etc. (She's half-Asian.)
But, if she were black, I'd love her to death and she damned sure wouldn't end up a gang-banger.

But, it's a little easier for me because I don't have to live right in the areas where this stuff is so prevalent. But, if I DID, it would still be my life's work to keep the kid out of trouble.

You can't blame all parents for the actions of their kids, but it's a good place to start. I'd bet that behind almost every one of these scumbags we're talking about here.... there's a parent that wasn't worth a ****. (If there even was one.)

[Popps]

They'd rather blame other people for their problems than fix their own

That's an easy thing to do. We probably all do that in our daily lives. It's just a bit more apparent with some African Americans, especially when you have counter-productive ****-nuts like Rev. J. Jackson running around as some self-appointed spokeshole for black people.

[bpc]

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4958579

This is just down right scary. How is there supposed to be any justice? I believe things happen for a reason. If DWill hadn't been killed, I would have never known about the problems that are getting rooted deeper and deeper in the city that we all support.

Something must be done about gangs in Denver... gangs in any city for that matter.

[Killericon]

Yea, because the ones who are doing all these acts of violence are the nerds who sit at home playing Grand Theft Auto all day, right?

Poverty begets Violent Crime. Always has, always will. If Rap glorifies poverty, then that adds fuel to the flame, but it's not the core problem.

[BroncoInferno]

Yea, because the ones who are doing all these acts of violence are the nerds who sit at home playing Grand Theft Auto all day, right?

Poverty begets Violent Crime. Always has, always will. If Rap glorifies poverty, then that adds fuel to the flame, but it's not the core problem.

Yep. Has nothing to do with movies or video games. The reason blacks in these communities (specific communities, by the way) see sports and rap as their only options is because, often times, the academic possibilities aren't very realistic either. Have you seen the schools in some of these districts and the people working in them? It's truly pathetic.

[Bronx33]

Learning from a young age the difference between right and wrong and having someone there to teach it (would make a world of difference)

[smalltowngrll]

Or, how about the idea that we take responsibilty for our own actions rather than finding someone else, or something else to blame?!

[epicSocialism4tw]

Or, how about the idea that we take responsibilty for our own actions rather than finding someone else, or something else to blame?!


This is the root issue. Responsibility.

Hollywood isnt responsible for the influence of it's movies.

Activision isnt responsible for the content of its games.

CBS isnt responsible for the content of its shows.

Government isnt responsible for the spending of your money.

Children arent held responsible for their behavior.

Banks arent responsible for their out-of-control APR rates.

Parents arent held responsible for their actions.

Criminals arent held responsible for their crimes.

Businesses arent held responsible for the mistreatment of their employees.

Politicians arent held responsible for their mistakes.

Parents arent held responsible for the children they abort.

[Play2win]

Or, how about the idea that we take responsibilty for our own actions rather than finding someone else, or something else to blame?!

That doesn't work in today's world, because it is not politically correct enough...

[epicSocialism4tw]

That doesn't work in today's world, because it is not politically correct enough...

Responsiblity is so passe...

Morality is like, so yesterday.

[smalltowngrll]

It's so much easier for me to blame someone else when I screw up. It's easier to blame an abusive father, a mother that wasn't there when her child needed her, a teacher that didn't teach the right things, and so forth. However, we own ourselves. We own our own thoughts and actions. We are responsible for ourselves. We take credit when we do something right, we should also take responsibility when we make mistakes. Own up to our wrongs and make the changes that should be made. Sometimes the easy road isn't always the best way.

Easier said than done...of course.

[Play2win]

All it takes is one event to possibly sway public opinion and change the ebb and flow of a certain climate or culture. I am just hoping that this might be one such event.

I just hope the kids (and everyone else) of today realize it is NOT COOL to promote, partake or fantasize over violence, violent acts or generally defiling others in any sort of way, be that they are male or female.

To speak in such terms is wrong enough, and once you say things, it is easier for **Certain** persons to actually do them.

(Rap) and generally lingo that uses such, certain terms as common place, DESENSITIZES us to things that are really, really wrong and should never be done.

[ludo21]

We live in a violent world #1.

#2 - hate to say it, but DW probably did something dumb, so dumb it forced someone to bring on that anger in the form of shooting him.

#3 - whether people believe it or not, the devil does exist and tempts us daily.

[BroncoInferno]

Well you responsibility people are just so freakin clever. I mean, seriously, why did no one ever think of that before? Responsibility! So, we don't live in an infinitely complex world where easy buzz words don't solve solve our problems. Good to know!

Now, go out there Responsibility, you word of change, and spread yourself about the world like a weed!

[epicSocialism4tw]

Well you responsibility people are just so freakin clever. I mean, seriously, why did no one ever think of that before? Responsibility! So, we don't live in an infinitely complex world where easy buzz words don't solve solve our problems. Good to know!

Now, go out there Responsibility, you word of change, and spread yourself about the world like a weed!

What are you doing to help people to be responsible? I would be surprised if you were doing anything at all.

[Tredici]

"Who killed this individual is what matters, it doesn't matter if it's gang related or some guy in a business suit," police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.

"I think the community is outraged by what took place here," Jackson said. "I think that's why the people are coming forth and giving us information. I don't think they want to tolerate this kind of thing."


BTW - In 2004 there were 73 Murders in Denver. In 2005 there were 59. In 2006 there were 58. This is true for many other places in the country, too. Contrary to the belief that things are getting worse. They aren't. Why is this our perception though?

[BroncoInferno]

"Who killed this individual is what matters, it doesn't matter if it's gang related or some guy in a business suit," police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.

"I think the community is outraged by what took place here," Jackson said. "I think that's why the people are coming forth and giving us information. I don't think they want to tolerate this kind of thing."


BTW - In 2004 there were 73 Murders in Denver. In 2005 there were 59. In 2006 there were 58. This is true for many other places in the country, too. Contrary to the belief that things are getting worse. They aren't. Why is this our perception though?

Crime as been on the decline since the 70s, but TV coverage of violent crime has increased, thus creating the false perception that things are worse. That, combined with the "good ol days" syndrome that many people fall into.

[-Slap-]

Nationally, violent crime is definitely on the rise again.

The upward trend in 2005 was dismissed as a blip, after a period of decline, but 2006 saw another increase. That decline didn't begin in the 70s, either, more like the early 90s. Where on earth did you get the 70s?

Not only has the rate of violent crime gone up the last two years, but the robbery rate has spiked about 10%.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-crime19dec19,0,4399286.story?coll=la-home-nation

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17679924&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6

http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5857544&nav=HMO6

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061219/REPOSITORY/612190383/1013/48HOURS

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/298027_gundeaths02.html?source=mypi

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/wire.ssf?/base/news/1166523447153550.xml&coll=2

http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-crimestats,0,2139403.story?coll=ktla-news-1

[BroncoInferno]

What are you doing to help people to be responsible? I would be surprised if you were doing anything at all.

Don't mind me, Llama, I'm part of the problem. But, thanks to your inspirational thread, I've ordered a bag of Responsibility on amazon.com which I plan to dispense across the land like some Johnny Responsibilityseed. All I need now is a pony upon whose back I'll make my journey. Care to donate?

[epicSocialism4tw]

Don't mind me, Llama, I'm part of the problem. But, thanks to your inspirational thread, I've ordered a bag of Responsibility on amazon.com which I plan to dispense across the land like some Johnny Responsibilityseed. All I need now is a pony upon whose back I'll make my journey. Care to donate?

Patronize me all you want.

What you wont admit is that you are just another follower waiting for a leader.

At least you are willing to admit that you are part of the problem. That's a place to start.