akr804#so345 The concept of "going dumb" and how the boys' purpose behind it versus how others interpret it demonstrates the power in labeling behavior. For the boys, they labeled this behavior as something to regain dignity over those who view them as deviant or criminal, but for those in authority, "going dumb" often reinforced their perceptions of these boys as deviant and criminal.
@akr804 I agree. "Going dumb" allows the boys to achieve some sort of power over the system going against them, however their label can cause this to backfire. If probation officers, teachers or police see the boys going dumb, they'll believe that is is just solidifying their negative beliefs about the boys. While it can help the boys mentally, it can negatively affect them in the future depending on how authority figures interpret the behavior. #so345