British newspaper produces video report about Chicago youth violence (Washington: 2009, crime)

[tablemtn]

Youth murders: Chicago's lost generation

Nothing particularly novel, but it is interesting to see how Chicago's violence is being covered by foreign media outlets.

[mas23]

dang, even britain knows about this.that s. side map was disturbing as heck though. smh

-mas23-

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by mas23

that s. side map was disturbing as heck though. smh

Within 8 miles of Obama's house isn't really a matter of concern though. That may sound terrifying to the Brits but 8 miles is a world of difference in Chicago.

That quote the guy from Black Star made that all Obama would have to do to stop the killing of black youths is to say he wanted it to stop is also completely foolhardy. Obviously both democrats and republicans do not want children to be slaughtered but there are a myriad of issues that need to be addressed, starting first and foremost with the family unit, what a gang offers vs what an education offers, the fetishization of guns and violence, drug addiction, etc. I don't want to take a page out of Gioo's book but there is a huge entitlement problem in Chicago's poorer communities when it comes to violence. Everyone wants the problem solved but no one wants to admit their own contributions to it.

[ajolotl]

Thank you for this post. I enjoyed watching the video.

I thought the guy interviewed at the beginning made two inaccurate statements: that Obama's home is the "epicenter" of the violence. That shows a lack of understanding of CHicago. Hyde Park is more the edge if anything, certainly not the epicenter. Also, that all Obama had to do is say "I don't want it to happen anymore" and it would go away. that latter comment seemed hopeless naive to me. How do other (non-trolls) feel?

[j33]

I watched the video too. While I can appreciate the anger and desperation one might having living with youth violence, ajolotl put it well to say that the comment made by the guy in the beginning of the video about Obama being able to 'make it all go away' was hopelessly naive. I remember people making similar comments when Harold Washington was elected mayor, it didn't happen then and Obama being president won't stop it now, and if you think otherwise then you are deluding yourself.

The president have very little power over the street-by-street aspect of urban life (or rural life) in the US, that has to come from the community and the local authorities.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by j33

The president have very little power over the street-by-street aspect of urban life (or rural life) in the US, that has to come from the community and the local authorities.

Although if you listen to his comment again, you realize that these are the people he is depending on actually changing things. They have the power now, they're just waiting around for Obama to say "make it happen". Once he says that, they'll make it happen. Tragically, Obama has not given the order.

[j33]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Although if you listen to his comment again, you realize that these are the people he is depending on actually changing things. They have the power now, they're just waiting around for Obama to say "make it happen". Once he says that, they'll make it happen. Tragically, Obama has not given the order.

I'm afraid I don't understand. What sort of order could Obama give that would suddenly make gangbangers stop shooting people?

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by j33

I'm afraid I don't understand. What sort of order could Obama give that would suddenly make gangbangers stop shooting people?

I think it's "Stop, guys. Seriously."

But said behind a presidential podium, it has a much more powerful affect.

[ajolotl]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

I think it's "Stop, guys. Seriously."

But said behind a presidential podium, it has a much more powerful affect.

It might be powerful but wouldn't change anything. He knows that. It is probably why he doesn't say it.

[krsheely]

Im sure at some point obama has commented on crime, it didnt help. If obama says stop it wont matter. The people on the corners and in the streets of depressed cities america didnt vote for obama (the gangbangers, d-boys, pimps, ect ect.) and while im sure they are happy and proud he is president now, saying stop will change nothing, problems of this city, and or any other crime ridden area of america will be solved with improved education and improved family units, nothing else. The lack of these two things is the reason people are dying and living in poverty.

I know many a d-boy or other people who wear the obama gear and say change is here but do not intend to stop doing exactly as they please, some maybe but not a majority.