London's Weapon of Choice
This citys been long-known as a multicultural haven, a world capital boasting a bustling population of brown and black Brits. But theres a sad truth here, one thats been growing in intensity: Most of Londons young people of color are more likely than not to know someone whose life has been literally cut down by a weapon more readily associated with the Victorian era: a knife.
And the number of mostly male African-Caribbean teenagers being slain by knives in this vibrant city is growing at an alarming rate. The vast majority are victims of the youth gang wars that have escalated in the last couple of years.
Media coverage of these tragic incidents is bordering the macabre. National and London newspapers are keeping a tally of deaths of black teenagers, not so much on the sword but more likely on a rusty kitchen knife or a crude machete misguidedly carried as a weapon of machismo.
Actually, they seem to work rather well for that purpose, as well as for self-defense.
Posted by: Anonymoose 2009-08-25 |