Two brothers torn apart by senseless violence. Brent Staples and his younger brother Blake
grew up together in Chester, Pennsylvania, a small town riddled with gang
members and violence. Brent was a motivated individual that sought to do better
for himself. After graduating from college Brent moved to Chicago where he
became a successful journalist. Blake, unfortunately, was shot and killed at
twenty two years old. Blake left behind a legacy of violence and an older
brother imbued with guilt. Upon finishing
A Brothers Murder by Brent Staples, the
reader will understand the consequences of perusing a violent life style.
Gang violence has
become a daily occurrence across the country. Gang members lead a life separate
from the rest of society. These people live by their own standards with
disregard to the lives of others as well as their own. A world where a bad boy
reputation and a tough guy persona are more desirable than a college education
and a heathy family. Gangs thrive off of this reputation and they are becoming
increasingly violent.
“They
jumped into the rice patties with their man hood on their sleeves,” Brent overheard a Vietnam Veteran say.
The veteran was referring to soldiers drafted from the inner city. Many people
from the inner city are faced with violence from the day they were born, they
don’t have a choice. In order to survive an individual must become a soldier
for themselves. It’s a sad and vicious
cycle that continues to this day. Only a handful of people are fortunate enough
to leave that life behind them.
Gang members don’t understand the pain they put their families through. They only care about gaining a reputation on the street. Although Brent did better for himself, the violent past will always be with him. When Blake died Brent was left questioning himself, “Did I not reach back soon enough or earnestly enough for him?” violence causes as much psychological pain as it does physical.
I believe one of the biggest contributors to violence in our country is the media. All you hear about are the bad things happening in the world, never any good. Whether the news is televised, on social networks, or in the newspaper, criminals have a way of making a name for themselves. The media helps criminals effortlessly gain a reputation and it begins a competition on the streets. An interesting statistic from the documentary, Bowling for Columbine, proves that the media glorifies violence. In 2002, the number of violent crimes in America decreased by 20%, the media however, televised 600% more violent crimes than the year prior. America is the greatest country in the world, the people we fear shouldn’t be ourselves.
Gang members don’t understand the pain they put their families through. They only care about gaining a reputation on the street. Although Brent did better for himself, the violent past will always be with him. When Blake died Brent was left questioning himself, “Did I not reach back soon enough or earnestly enough for him?” violence causes as much psychological pain as it does physical.
I believe one of the biggest contributors to violence in our country is the media. All you hear about are the bad things happening in the world, never any good. Whether the news is televised, on social networks, or in the newspaper, criminals have a way of making a name for themselves. The media helps criminals effortlessly gain a reputation and it begins a competition on the streets. An interesting statistic from the documentary, Bowling for Columbine, proves that the media glorifies violence. In 2002, the number of violent crimes in America decreased by 20%, the media however, televised 600% more violent crimes than the year prior. America is the greatest country in the world, the people we fear shouldn’t be ourselves.
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