Violence

Mattapan scene

Here in Boston we are hearing about another multiple execution in our Mattapan neighborhood, a neighborhood populated for the greater part by Black residents, mostly African-Americans and immigrants. Is this a surprise? I say it is not at all.

The criminal culture of urban ghettos has been glorified in music and film for twenty years. Rappers and hip-hop singers flaunt their criminal pasts with god-toothed pride. Young children have been allowed by their parents to emulate these products of poverty and ignorance in dress and mannerisms. Computer game designers have profited in the millions from placing the violence of the streets on computer screens, to mesmerize young brains with images of extinguished human life. No wonder many of them see life as an animated smear on a computer monitor or mobile phone display.

Can police or schools turn the tide of media brainwashing? No. Looking at Mattapan's scene of mindless death of adults and children is looking at the future of urban America as long as guns are sold and children are indoctrinated in the culture of macho violence.

I do not play violent games. I do not patronize violent media. I disagree that violent team sports are a positive activity in any way. I have lived in violent cultures. I have been the responsible authority on violent psychiatric units. I have lived in poor neighborhoods, where street violence was commonplace. I see all violence, with the exception of personal self defense when attacted, as a crime against humanity. I believe that this is the place to start when trying to eliminate violent crime in a society. I also believe that American society is more primitive than some in dealing with these issues.