The Grumpy Old Man Speaks About Gangs

A very disturbing incident occurred in Bangor last week when a fight between numerous teenagers ended with a young man shot in the chest and eventually losing his life. This has brought concern about gang activity in Bangor. It is a scary subject. We want to believe that we are immune to this activity in Northern Maine but, it would seem, we are not.

Since Elvis Presley first appeared on Ed Sullivan parents have complained about the music their kids listen to it. The question becomes is the music the result of the culture or is the culture the result of the music. I do not know. I have two sons, my second son is my step son. I love him and want him to be successful and have no doubt he will be as he is a very driven young man. At age 12 he is very enthused with the ( here is the grumpy old man part) rap music, funky shoes, and sideways wide brimmed hats. When my oldest son was younger or even now for that matter I was clear pull your pants up, no stupid hats and fortunately for me he never really embraced that culture. My middle son however watches MTV and downloads all the songs that I think embrace a culture that is not good for him. He is a good boy and I know he has no idea but when the shooter in this gang activity wears sideways hats , has a Little Wayne poster in his room and is clearly influenced by this culture do we as parents have a responsibility to not allow our children into this same filth.

My wife would say she is sure that many people have been shot by people listening to Bruce Springsteen or Neil Young and she is absolutely right. However no one with an objective view point can think that allowing your child to go too far down that road that is the gangsta culture is a good thing. At what point do we as parents not allow free expression. At what point does that limiting expression make it all the more appealing.

I do not know. I do not believe my 12 year old red headed son is going to end up in any gang anytime soon. I am just not sure, knowing what we know, if allowing him to embrace any aspect of that culture is a good thing to do. This is the same debate parents had about AC/DC when I was a kid or Ozzy Osbourne or countless 60's Rock Bands that we embrace today. I know this to be true. I just do not believe that we will be embracing Lil Wayne on an oldies tour 20 years from now.

Their is a young man dead in Bangor as a result of gang activity. There is a sweet little boy who likes to listen to the beat in rap music. I can deal with it, even understand the appeal. Am I wrong for not wanting my boy and the man who shot the gun to be wearing their hats the same way?