Got any good stories?

I did some embeds with the police as a reporter during SWAT raids (actually the team was STARS, which is fun is you are a Resident Evil fan. They would get the tiny weed dealers, or a single guy slinging something. The top of the chain had lookouts at every corner, and moved stuff before they were even close.

The cops would make a show of it, but it was almost like a game. They made sure to get the small time guys first so they would have arrests to document. I saw them fuck up these two stoners-- flash grenade and break open a window. The cops threw them around and held an MP5s to their heads, and all they were doing was smoking and playing X-Box with a few dozen dime bags. They probably just wanted to smoke for free.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

About 20 years ago my best friend was the middle man on a deal that went sour. Guys actually did some of the same stuff listed in the article. Kidnapping torture because they thought he may have been in on it. He got out of it eventually.

When you say hang you'd need to clarify. I grew up on the Lower South Side of Chicago. Most of my friends growing up were criminals. I was the one that chose a different path but I always kept in contact. Still do.

Those sort of stories were pretty commonplace in that area during that period. When "those buildings" were up and drug money was aplenty I know a number of of guys that were either snatching or being snatched. Many didn't make it either.

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Did not happen. There is no lower south side.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

More affectionately known as the Low End.

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The more money that is involved, the more likely you will get shot.

It really speaks to the desperate nature of those who live in poverty. Even small time dealers are at risk. Yet the rewards are worth the risk when you have nothing.

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Yep. I was a little different because both my parents worked. Working class- middle class incomes so I didn't have to get in the game. My mom was a single parent and it was easier for her to get to and from work so she didn't want to move. She didn't drive either.

The choices my friends made occurred when we were 13-14. To a kid without shit and slim prospects hustling seemed like an easy choice. They got out there and thought they'd never look back. Couldn't have predicted the pitfalls that befell many of them later. All they saw was the money.

Over time that dried up and many have never recovered. Some have asked for job hookups but with their background and educational history it's virtually impossible. I just remember those halcyon days when Many of them believed that it could never end.

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It's a real fucked up deal. No jobs and often little to no hope.

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There should be some sort of statute of limitations on criminal records, especially with young people.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

There is currently. But I think it should be extended.

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They carried it into adulthood. Back then the trade was rather lucrative. Late 80's early 90's drug trade was rocking with even the low level guys checking thousands in a day. They never believed that it would end.

Most of them had dropped out of high school to do it. Didn't believe that they needed it.

It didn't become apparent until much later that they did. By that time they were adults with criminal records. Ultimately it came down to choices. They had them like everyone else does.

The one thing that I will say in conclusion is that most of The guys that I knew became the head of household at a young age. Their parents were unable to provide or providing became increasingly difficult. Parents knew what their kids were into but they'd look the other way due to the amount of money flowing in.

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Especially for non-violent crimes. And get their booking photos off the Internet. Make a few mistakes, and you're branded for life.

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108th & Princeton was always a fun spot