i used to think “shooters” and gang members i know were just “young and turnt.” it took a lot of unlearning to realize they’ve actually experienced extreme poverty, abandonment, large amounts of gun violence, lack of access to mental health resources, lack of adequate schooling..

not to mention, sexual violence (that is glossed over as “starting early”), physical and mental abuse in homes, drug addiction, suppression of feelings, etc. it’s terrifying. and we need to slowly but surely unlearn these labels we put on these men— “shooters, gang bangers, etc”

and start NAMING shit for what it is.
- he isn’t “zooted” he’s suppressing feelings with drugs and alcohol.
- he isn’t a “shooter” he’s a highly impacted person lacking self-control/ a conscious (to no fault of his own. it can all be learned again)

- he’s not a “hustler” growing up impoverished made him willing to do anything— even sell to his own people— to escape and prevent further poverty.
- he’s not a “real nigga” he had to be the man of his house from a young age.

- he’s not “stuntin” he’s been taught to value materialistic gains over his own life and the lives of others.
- he’s not “heartless” he’s been through an immense amount of trauma in a short span of time that has led to a detrimental personality change and lack of emotions..

i grew up with these “shooters, gang bangers, thugs, heartless niggas, etc.” THEY DID NOT START OUT THAT WAY. to go from flaming each other up in middle school to watching these young men end up as news articles and headstones is fucking heartbreaking.

i’m starting a hashtag — #hoodniggasarehumantoo

i can’t imagine being detrimentally traumatized in every facet of society— school, streets, carceral. and being told i’m “young and turnt” and having my humanity brushed aside and being demonized in the media for being HUMAN.