fingerpopping

Tonight, when I was walking home from work after a long day of administrative tasks, I was startled by 3 boys who couldn't have been more than 10 years old. They were jumping on and running across cars. They'd jump up on the hood and run over the roof and slid down the frosty rear windows. They became more aggressive about this obvious disrespect once they noticed me. I kind of half expected that they would stop, me being an adult catching them in the act, but that was not the case. Instead the focus turned to me and they made every effort to intimidate me. I continued on my path, and tried to resist the urge to cross to the other side. They spat on cars and the sidewalk and swore and broke whatever they could off of cars. My internal responsible adult wanted to speak up, to scold them, but I was afraid of these 10 year olds. I kept on my path, walking only a few feet behind them until I reached my house. It was the only thing I could do. I did not want to let myself be terrorized by these kids. Right before I crossed over, one of the boys made a gun gesture with his hand, turned and pointed it at me and said, "Shots to the head, Bitch!"

I'm filled with sadness about how these children have adopted such violence and dangerous ideas about power. How does an innocent child transform into this kind of menace? I was made painfully aware of my vulnerability as a woman and how our culture has gone oh-so-wrong. Especially when it comes to youth. They are so very impressionable aren't they? I actually think if that kid had a gun he would've shot me without thinking twice.