It amazes me to think that anyone would dream of being a dope boy.Even for those from the hood - this is the last best option.
Ask any kid in dire surroundings what they'd like to be when they grow up - very few will say, "A Drug Dealer".
Most dealers don't choose such an occupation - it usually lands on them.
They are usually the best at managing the various responsibilities associated with the trade in which others may need assistance.
Since many from the hood are surrounded by the trade - one's involvement may start out as something as simple as advising a childhood friend.
Most children want the money, the reputation, the cars and the women - but these can all be obtained by other means.
(Why do you think many dealers try to become entertainers?)
The odd thing is - only effete, suburban, sheltered, wannabees fantasize about the drug lifestyle.
These are usually men who failed to acquire any form of street cred while growing up.
These are usually those who talk about violence - but if it came down to it, their guns would only slow them down on their sprint away from trouble.
Their "Hero" is the image of the successful drug dealer (But few understand the realities of such a career choice.).
Infamous is a mofo for sure. People want to go past regular fame to damn near public enemy number 1. This is why i repeat not being tough so many times in the podcast or on a blog. It's stupid to fight for fighting sake and it's even more stupid to want to associate yourself and base your reputation on something you really don't want no parts of.
ReplyDeleteI'm confident there are a lot of kids in LA who are in jail from the burbs who want to come into the city and be tough. In fact when we were kids we used to ask some guys from the valley WHY ARE YOU HERE! Who wants to visit their cousin in Compton this damn much!
We got to redefine tough and successful because the sheltered and assumed smart even have dreams of being Frank Lucas.
Ahh, My Uncle Black, I beg to differ. In fact I think you may completely missed this one.
ReplyDeleteBefore I comment further, I have to ask you what is your point of reference?
@ FreeMan - Many of those who'd visit knew that they could go back home and brag about their day (or week) in the hood to impress their friends who'd seen Scarface.
ReplyDelete@ Carey - I've never been arrested.
I have NO police record.
I came from both the hood and the burbs.
The thing I noticed was that those from the burbs talked more shit than those who had to deal with the life by default. It was as though they were playing a role as what they thought a dope boy was supposed to be.
Those who became dope boys by default saw it as a way out of the hood.
While those who were inspired by movies were just persuing a life which they thought would give them some sort of street tough image that they could brag about to their friends. (Although this excludes some who drifted into the life from the burbs because they just wanted to make some quick cash. These are fairly close to those from the hood who saw being a dope boy as a means to a better life.)
Tongan buddy of mine who lives in Inglewood used to hate to visit SLC. He was convinced he could live just fine in the hood and would get shot by some wannabe in Utah.
ReplyDelete"Even for those from the hood - this is the last best option.
ReplyDeleteAsk any kid in dire surroundings what they'd like to be when they grow up - very few will say, "A Drug Dealer".
Most dealers don't choose such an occupation - it usually lands on them"
Uncle Black, I understand your position. I will agree that some are faking the funk... I get that and I agree.
I disagree with the statement above. It is true that many get into the trade looking for power,respect, wealth, women, fine cars and fancy homes. Now check this, that's the American dream. It sort of sounds like a politician or a CEO.
It's a fact that all of us are in one way or another, a "victim" of our environment -- good or bad, that is true. You can use the word "default" but it's misguiding to some degree.
Here's my point. "Success" is subjective, therefore although some people may think that a life of crime, such as being a dope boy, is not the life for them and only a fool would chose that life, they may be wrong in that opinion.
Teenagers (and many adult) do not know what's on the other side of their rainbow. Many adults find themselves in occupations that they deplore. Also, there is the human tendency to believe "we" will do things differently, and thus not fall prey to the evil side of our choices. Or, will not end up like "that other" person.
Many youth view being a drug boy as a honorable position and many neighborhoods/cultures supports that view.
@ brohammas - He's probably right.
ReplyDelete@ Carey - Well sure, it's sounds the same as a CEO - but the risk/rewards are different.
These kids don't really want to be dealers - they only want the "benefits" that go along with being the big dog on the block.
If that is only possible by being in the trade - that is the sacrifice some are willing to make.
But if all options were availible - Dope Boy would be pretty low on most lists.
@Carey - From my experience most of my friends went more the UBJ way. They couldn't get a job because they didn't graduate from high school and they were staying with their mom. So they usually got put on by someone a bit older who would put money in their pocket.
ReplyDeleteNever have I been around anyone who said they wanted to become a dope dealer. Like UBJ said shit we all wanted the money. We grew up around Cadillac on daytons with air brush on the back. To this day you have sqaure cats trying to look like they sell dope.