Growing Up with Violence

A local news station aired a three part series entitled, “Growing up with Violence.” The journalist assigned to the special report took a ride through the city of Macon and gave a report about the violence that plagues the impoverished communities of the city. A variety of professionals who are affected by the violence both directly and indirectly were interviewed to give their take on the situation at hand as well as actual residents of these communities. It was an interesting series that led to the question, what happens when one grows up with violence?

Violence has been on the rise in our society as a whole for some time now. It began with the onset of the crack cocaine drug epidemic. With crack cocaine came along a new society of gangsters and hustlers. This era of gangsters and hustlers would turn out to be ten times more violent, reckless, and determined in their pursuit for control, power, and money. Major cities were the first impacted by this surge. But whereas, it was assumed that the epidemic would just be contained to the impoverished areas of the community, it would be far from the truth. Then the surge would spread to surrounding towns, suburbia, and even rural America. This epidemic would take down politicians, professionals, mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, and educators. It took no prisoners and showed no preferential treatment towards its victims. It would destroy families on all socioeconomic levels. This drug thing would lead to a rise in gangs and gang-related crimes.

The gang activities were spreading from coast-to-coast, causing widespread panic nationwide. Gangs have even set up shop in rural areas with the anticipation of gaining control of territory and making a name for themselves. Many members that belong to gangs have no regard for their own safety or freedom for that matter. Their gang mentality follows them even when they are reprimanded for their criminal activities and are confined to the penal system. Instead of using this time as an opportunity to reflect over their life, they bring their gang mentality in with them and form bonds with fellow gang members. By the time they are reprieved, they are worse off than when they went in. It has been said that jail is no longer a place of rehabilitation but just a temporary housing facility that cultivates criminals to make them better at their craft. Then it does help when the probation system is so overloaded that they are incapable of tracking and monitoring all those assigned to their caseloads. By the time their probation officers catch up to them, they are in court before the judge again for violating their probation terms.