The little boy claimed to be 13 years old. He looked more like eight. Maybe he was just underdeveloped. Or maybe he was lying. I asked him if his parents knew where he was. “Yea,” he replied. Bullshit. He was riding in a van full of gangsters.
His parents were probably working two or three jobs and too busy to keep an eye on him. They’re most likely from some Central American jungle where it’s okay for kids to roam free. But in the urban jungle if you don’t mind your kids, they’ll roam with the neighborhood gang.
“Been arrested before?” I asked.
“Naw,” replied the boy.
“Feel like going to jail?”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
“A tiny little kid like you is gonna get your shit pushed in.”
The boy straightened up, puffed out his chest, and held up his chin. “Fuck that. I ain’t gettin’ my shit pushed in.”
“Tell you what, kid. Keep hanging out with these guys. When it’s time for me to collect my pension and retire, I’ll be in the South Pacific drinking a margarita. You’ll be in prison getting your shit pushed in.”
The kid had no idea where the South Pacific was. His whole world was–will always be–a few square miles of urban decay. The furthest he’ll travel will be to a state prison. I wondered, briefly, what was the more tragic: that his crowning achievement in life will be to become a convict and a prison bitch, or that he just didn’t give a fuck.
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Tags: gangs, parenting, traffic stop
R/T
08/20/2010
We’ve got them over here in the sprawling metropolis that is Ol’ London Town. Just last week we had 3 x 12-year-old robbers who didn’t “give a fuck”. The age of criminal responsibility over here is 10 and they want to raise it to 13. WTF!
BTW – what do you think of “Southland”? Ta.
Butler, W. #64539
08/20/2010
In my opinion, Southland is a pretty good show. But my favorite television cop show is still The Wire.
Sister Copinherhair
08/21/2010
Well written, Butler.
My ex husband grew up in inner city Houston and it was similar to what you just described. By the time I met him, it was nothing short of amazing how he had turned his life around. He was a very upstanding guy.
However, that child will always reside in him. The drug usage in his early years destroyed and prohibited him from learning important life skills. Decision making and reasoning being prime examples. So even if this kid could turn himself around, I’m willing to bet there would still be life long ramifications from his lifestyle now.
Prison could be the best option for him.
Bob G.
08/21/2010
Off. Butler:
I see the same thing in the Midwest…very sad.
I tell the missus that these kids think the UNIVERSE is like 3 city blocks…and that’s all, unless they travel uptown to boost a car, or rob a store.
Then, the world comes crashing in on them…and they find out it’s a helluva lot BIGGER than they thought.
But by then, it may be too darn late.
Guilty by “association” (with thugs).
Generationally-bred apathy.
Couple that with blatant disrespect for law-enforcemnt, and a cavalier attitude towards life and the reality that comes along with it, and you have a damn fine recipe for personal and cultural disaster.
Good post…should be told at EVERY school!
Stay safe out there.
Ann T. Hathaway
08/31/2010
Dear Officer Butler,
What a tragedy. No doubt the parents are working for survival and the good life for their kid. And isn’t this just the blah, blah, comment.
Food for thought here, though–
Ann T.
Butler, W. #64539
09/01/2010
Your “blah, blah, blah” is always welcome around here!