A little more interesting than the privilege meme

[nancylebov]

http://kaigou.livejournal.com/419026.html

A substantial description of street life, with quite a bit about many writers are apt to get it wrong. Living outside the mainstream isn't just a way to acquire Scary Skilz, it also has longterm side effect. And no one gets a complete set of Scary Skilz.

http://kaigou.livejournal.com/419081.html?thread=3315721#t3315721

A few comments about street subcultures in different cities-- I think it would be of special interest to dcseain.

Link thanks to cofax7, from a discussion at theferrett.

Comments

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

I have one immediate quibble, with the statement that pointing the gun means you're willing to kill. If only that were so--the corollary being that one doesn't point a gun unless one is willing to kill. But people point guns a lot without willingness to kill, or intent to kill, or even thought of killing; that's how gun accidents happen. And even with intent, pointing doesn't necessarily mean you are willing to kill, but only that you think you are willing to kill; when it comes down to it, not everyone can pull the trigger. Yes, your average street thug probably can, but an ordinary citizen carrying a gun for "protection"? Until the moment when the gun is pointed at a living human being and the finger is pulling the trigger, no one knows whether they're actually willing to turn that living human being into a pile of meat.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

Could you quote the bit you're replying to? A fast search doesn't turn it up.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

"Displaying a gun indicates you're capable of killing without getting close enough to touch; actually pointing the gun says you're willing to kill."

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

One could argue, I guess, that pointing the gun "says" you're willing to kill but it may not mean that you actually are, and if the original entry means that, then my quibble goes away. But then I would have even greater reservations about someone pointing a gun to make the statement that they were willing to kill, without actually meaning that they were willing to kill. My dad taught me: Never point a gun at something that you don't mean to shoot; never shoot at something [living] that you don't mean to kill. (Therefore, never point a gun at a living thing you don't mean to kill.)

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

It does sound like a street culture which is more responsible about guns than quite a few people in the mainstream, and I'd be surprised if people remember to be that careful when they're drunk or drugged.

On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me if street people are more careful with guns than fantasies of aggression written for those in safer circumstances would suggest.

[avram]

But that essay isn't about "an ordinary citizen" (as opposed to someone living on the street). The first words of that paragraph, "On the streets", give you the context.

[louiseroho.livejournal.com]

The last time my son got into a fight at school, he held up his fists in the fighting stance he learned in karate class and said

"Don't make me use these."

[sgsguru.livejournal.com]

From my street experience (such as it is), open hands mean a heated discussion. Fists mean a challenge to a fight.