#so345 supporting youth is extremely vital in order to break this harmful cycle of criminalization and inequality, since we see how these boys are labeled as criminal almost immediately and as a result, they lose their sense of identity trying to appeal to the masses (both sides)

#so345 criminalization and over policing does way more harm than good, and it’s ironic how in their efforts of trying to create a “safer” society, they bring down marginalized groups in the process and perpetuate the cycle of violence even further

#so345 the theory of labeling always comes back yet it’s so relevant and real, the way these boys are deprived of being treated like humans and aren’t granted fair treatment just for their looks and socioeconomic status pretty much curses them and we see how they’re unable to rise above these “social deaths” because they don’t have the means or support to do so

#so345 the delinquent and non-delinquent boys are pitted up against each other by the system, when in reality they all just want to be accepted and are the way they are as a unfortunate circumstances and societal inequalities. it’s like they’re the opposite side of the same coin

#so345 the double edge sword of never being arrested is very clear in these young boys. their peers who have been arrested resent them for appearing as if they are the enemy, and authority figures and adults lump them in with the delinquents so they must overcompensate in order to prove themselves as good kids. having to walk around eggshells like that is no way to grow up

#so345 i found where rios talked about women having to switch between good and ghetto very interesting and important to discuss. Black and latina girls also have pressure to act tough around others in order to protect themselves, and it ties back into the stereotype of the angry Black woman or loud latina

#so345 hypermasculinity is such a dangerous thing taught to boys from a young age, but the way it determines how these boys are treated by everyone around them is extremely stressful. they can’t act weak around others, but acting manly also puts a target on their backs

#so345 the tough “manly” exterior that these boys put on definitely contributes to them being targeted by the police. if they assert themselves and stand up against unfair treatment from the police, that gets them in trouble too. they can’t win by acting any certain kind of way

#so345 if Black people struggle to find jobs and are immediately assumed to be druggies or ex convicts, then of course they’re going to go against the system and make money through their own means. if the police have such a problem with the underground market like selling pirated DVDS, then they need to look at the root of the issue and understand why someone would want to resort to doing that

#so345 the way Black people, especially men, have to overcompensate and be especially nice around certain people, only to be met with resistance and the cold shoulder is a double edged sword. if they were to act flippant and avoid eye contact, they would also be considered rude or aggressive