Rap gets blame for city gang violence

Why is the C silent in Rap music ???

Rap music? I would have thought it would be the parents fault for not raising their kids in a manner that would prohibit the personal, conscious decision of joining a gang. Although rap music does glorify gangs, drugs, sex, and every other ungodly thing out there, let's not discount the lack of parental and personal responsibility as well as bad choices for the increase in gangs and gang violence in Asheville. We are all ultimately responsible for the choices we make in life. Don't lay that at a rap artist's feet. Unfortunately, some kids do not have good judgment because their parents did not take the time, effort, or interest to teach their children about the consequences in life brought on by bad choices. We have a tendency in our society to place the blame on others instead of taking personal responsibility for the bad choices we make in life. It's like saying "the devil made me do it" when you were the one that made the conscious decision and effort to join a gang because your parents failed to raise you properly to begin with. What a vicious cycle. It all starts at home.

DaddyO wrote:

Rap music? I would have thought it would be the parents fault for not raising their kids in a manner that would prohibit the personal, conscious decision of joining a gang. Although rap music does glorify gangs, drugs, sex, and every other ungodly thing out there, let's not discount the lack of parental and personal responsibility as well as bad choices for the increase in gangs and gang violence in Asheville. We are all ultimately responsible for the choices we make in life. Don't lay that at a rap artist's feet. Unfortunately, some kids do not have good judgment because their parents did not take the time, effort, or interest to teach their children about the consequences in life brought on by bad choices. We have a tendency in our society to place the blame on others instead of taking personal responsibility for the bad choices we make in life. It's like saying "the devil made me do it" when you were the one that made the conscious decision and effort to join a gang because your parents failed to raise you properly to begin with. What a vicious cycle. It all starts at home.

I will have to agree.

".....hold blame for a growing gang problem in Asheville, a city police gang investigator said Wednesday......"

Wow, just a few short months ago, I remember the AC-T and APD touting how there was not a gang problem in Asheville.

And as Daddy O stated....... it all starts at home. If there is no control at home, there will be no control outside of the house!

They have been tagging A B Tech lately. Anyone have a crystal ball?

Daddy-O is right.

Why is society always so afraid to place the blame where it belongs?

DaddyO wrote:

Rap music? I would have thought it would be the parents fault for not raising their kids in a manner that would prohibit the personal, conscious decision of joining a gang. Although rap music does glorify gangs, drugs, sex, and every other ungodly thing out there, let's not discount the lack of parental and personal responsibility as well as bad choices for the increase in gangs and gang violence in Asheville. We are all ultimately responsible for the choices we make in life. Don't lay that at a rap artist's feet. Unfortunately, some kids do not have good judgment because their parents did not take the time, effort, or interest to teach their children about the consequences in life brought on by bad choices. We have a tendency in our society to place the blame on others instead of taking personal responsibility for the bad choices we make in life. It's like saying "the devil made me do it" when you were the one that made the conscious decision and effort to join a gang because your parents failed to raise you properly to begin with. What a vicious cycle. It all starts at home.

Rap certainly contributes, but family, faith, and the welfare system are equally to blame.

In a effort to help, we've created a system that punishes work and effort and rewards idleness. We've killed the work ethic of generations.

higgins wrote:

They have been tagging A B Tech lately. Anyone have a crystal ball?

Did you know that the security officers at ABTech have had their pistols taken away? There is NO SECURITY at AB Tech...brought to you by whom? Now just which 'party' do you think would influence this decision. I was talking directly to one Wednesday who says they MIGHT get their guns back to use, but NEVER were they told why the guns were taken away. He's already NOT responded to an incident with a knife...they have to call APD now...how lame is that??? Dont you feel safer at AB Tech now?

Reader wrote:

Daddy-O is right.
Why is society always so afraid to place the blame where it belongs?

Because parents can never be blamed. The government has become the parent and the government cannot do anything right!

Yep wrote:

<quoted text>
Because parents can never be blamed. The government has become the parent and the government cannot do anything right!

Exactly. There is NO place in the US for personal responsibility, if you do something wrong then it's acceptable to point a finger elsewhere.

Yea, blame it on music. Crack whxre mothers and dead beat dads have nothing to do with it. Maybe we need to start mandating a permit to carry a walkman...Well I guess parents have to blame someone for their incompetence.

Talk that talk....walk that walk !

Gangs are not new to Asheville. They have been here for decades and for some reason Asheville has finally decided to say, "Hey, we have gangs!"

Amazing, how we have shut our eyes, closed our ears, and walked blindly around not seeing what was right in front of us.

Good news, we are finally saying we have a gang problem, and, if City Council will help, are addressing them.

Yep wrote:

<quoted text>
Did you know that the security officers at ABTech have had their pistols taken away? There is NO SECURITY at AB Tech...brought to you by whom? Now just which 'party' do you think would influence this decision. I was talking directly to one Wednesday who says they MIGHT get their guns back to use, but NEVER were they told why the guns were taken away. He's already NOT responded to an incident with a knife...they have to call APD now...how lame is that??? Dont you feel safer at AB Tech now?

WRONG

AB Tech now has a certified police force. The Chief, Kara Keller, and her officers carry weapons. The security officers do not.

Many of the part-time guards are off duty APD or BCSD officers, who also carry weapons.

You should do a little research before you write.

Ya think?

Yep wrote:

<quoted text>I was talking directly to one Wednesday who says they MIGHT get their guns back to use, but NEVER were they told why the guns were taken away. He's already NOT responded to an incident with a knife...they have to call APD now...how lame is that??? Dont you feel safer at AB Tech now?

Prior to the force being certified, the officers at ABTech were not LEO's. Therefore, their possession of weapons on campus was a violation of our state's gun-free schools laws, as AB Tech is "educational property". All of the officers are aware of the whole deal.

You are obviously talking out your arse.......

The more gang activity there is in Asheville, the better job security Louis Tomasetti has.
If things get really bad, the APD can apply for federal funds to fight gangs.
There's no doubt there are gangs here, but I question the objectivity and accuracy of police claims. We shouldn't blindly trust information coming from people who directly benefit from reports of increased gang activity.

Yeh, and military music is the cause of wars. John Philip Sousa should be ashamed of himself for all the violence his marches have caused.

Well, I'd say it doesn't help. And some of the lyrics are shocking even to this old anarchist.

It is good that the police are working to get a handle on the gangs before they get started good in Asheville. I live in S.Florida and am originally from WNC. When kids get into fights here, their parents sent them to NC to finish school so the "brothers" or "cousins" of the kid that they fought with won't come wipe out their whole family. I cringe when I hear it. I know that S. Fla is dumping on WNC, but people are desperate to protect their loved ones. Anyway, now is surely the time to crack down on gang presence. I live in West Palm Beach. Gangs are rampant here.