Oakland isn't that bad. A good 85% of the violence is concentrated in select hoods in West Oakland and from about 60th-98th and below MacArthur (really Bancroft). Yea if you flashing money in the hood or you're trying to get down with that life, you're going to find yourself in some shyt, but there's so much more to Oakland that's worth serving (i.e. having a real mall/shopping district, teams, etc.) Unless you live in the neighborhoods or are involved with those type of people, there's really no reason for you to come in contact with those areas and you're free to live your life - Oakland aint some depressed shythole like Camden, Detroit, or Cleveland. And these half ass, low budget "documentaries" don't do anything but help glorify that life.
I kinda agree with this, but it's still a large enough concentration of people in the hood to raise an alarm. Most of the people affected by this type of lifestyle are those born into it and definitely comes from the family cycle. I know, my auntie's family, who moved right by International never encountered any of the problems, because they weren't about that life. I used to walk to the liquor store by myself as a 8 year old mixed boy and was naive of the possible danger I was putting myself in because Oakland looks like Disneyland compared to Detroit.
Still, coming from an educated middle class African-American family that lived in the hood, I was always taught to not stunt, be respectful, and keep my nose clean. Fortunately, I had that structure and saw no need to get involved in the craziness going on around me. So it definitely has to do with education and family giving the youth some sense of history, identity, pride, and confidence that they can achieve more than their past generations and they don't have to succumb to the savage lifestyle around them. Unfortunately, those of privilege just don't see enough economic value in changing the flawed institutions which these young people are born into.
For Pretty Black and Hennessy, there is a quote which many gangstas should live by if they want to stay alive:
"That's a clown suit. That's a costume, with a big sign on it that says "Arrest me". You understand? You're too loud, you're making too much noise. Listen to me, the loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room" - Frank Lucas
It was bound to happen and I've seen it happen many times to those who live a gaudy lifestyle in the hood. You don't command respect unless you show that you are giving back to your community, and even then, all it takes is one bullet end it.
. the sideshow was BIG fun
i missed out
I grew up in Fresno, we used to be jealous of cats that lived in the bay area. all that lovely shyt up there.. yeah East and West O is hood but Oakland ain't that big of a city to begin with. ya'll got some nice shyt up there. ya'll need to stop it!