Another sad story: Amadou Cisse a victim of the "American Gangster" mentality amongst the BET generation

The Original Story is HERE

Amadou Cisse, a Senegalese Doctoral student at the University of Chicago, became yet another victim of the "American Gangster" mentality and the senseless violence that this mentality breeds.

Before I go further, let me state for the record that I do not blame the actors, producers, writers, etc. of the film "American Gangster" for this tragic story. True, in my observation, I find that the film "American Gangster" (and other forms of media of this ilk) and it's celebration by Black Media, hype up the gangster / pimp culture that breeds the type of violence that took the life of Amadou Cisse, and that will now put some young brothers away in jail for most if not all of their adult lives, however the film by itself doesn't cause crime, neither does gangsta / pimp hip hop or violent video games.

Let me further clarify to say that hundreds of thousands of people watched "American Gangster"; and dare I say MOST of them did not commit robbery / murders after wards. Most people who viewed the film live in a different world than the world that "American Gangster" portrays. I point this out because In the referenced Sun Times article, the writers are clear to note that the young men were watching a bootleg copy of "American Gangster", which to me is sort of like ringing the bell in a court room. While they were not expressing out right that this may have been an agitating factor influencing the young men into committing the crime, it is clearly inferred and implied.

Even though I surely have no love for  "American Gangster" or the images it glorifies; I find it a bit of a cop out to ring the bell in such a way. Many people can be (and were) entertained by this sort of film and never are touched by the violence that the film portrays. However, for some kids, like the ones who took the life of Amadou Cisse; these films in fact do portray a world that they are familiar with and live in. But it would be intellectually fraudulent to posit that the film is the cause for such a crime, these young men were on their way to this crime long before "American Gangster" went into production. No, all the makers of films like "American Gangster" are guilty of is what any good capitalist do, making money off of a product in demand regardless of who it hurts; and the product is: "The contorted and warped version of Black masculinity, presented as the thug / gangsta / pimp / drug dealer or gang banger." This product is a money maker for Hollywood and the music industry. The film may not have been the cause, but I will say that it more than likely was an agitator.

Now to the real issue, the violent crime that took the life of a doctoral student at University of Chicago. Here’s how this tragic story began: "Authorities said Walker and other teens had spent part of the weekend before the attacks watching a bootleg DD of "American Gangster" and eating fast food at an apartment that had been recently raided by Chicago Police. Among the group was a teen whose mother rented the apartment and who was arrested in the raid. A source said, however, the kids should not have been in the house. At some point, Walker allegedly said he needed money and wanted to do a stank, or robbery, the source said." (from the referenced Sun Times Article)

These young men went on to a commit a crime spree in Hyde Park Chicago by the University of Chicago, robbing two women, a University of Chicago employee, all to culminate in the tragic killing of Amadou.

Like I said, it is to easy to blame the sociopathic behavior on the film alone, however; we should look at some of the primary factors that intersected to create the conditions for this crime.

1. Failure of educations systems both external and within the family structure:

In an article in the Nov 28, 2007 Sun Times, we find some information about the mentality that these young men come from. A friend of the suspects was interviewed by the Sun Times and stated that: "He knew a university student was killed and that the student had just finished his studies. Standing in front of the brick home, the teen couldn't quite grasp how significant a journey it had been for Amadou Cisse. He didn't know Cisse had come from Senegal to study. And when asked if he knew where Senegal was, the teen simply replied, "No."

Not that this should be a surprise, most American teenagers are inept when it comes to geography. However, I would believe most teenage Jewish kids know where Israel is, most teenage Mexican kids know where Mexico is, and so on.

So it is sad, when African American teenagers can't identify where West African countries like Senegal are. Maybe if these young men knew more about their people and where the came from, they might less willingly to end the life of any human, let alone one they share a heritage with.

Who is to blame for them not knowing this, the school system? Perhaps, after all, the 16 year old suspect Eric Walker did go to an alternative school for teens with behavioral disorders. Maybe if they taught him something to have pride in, an alternative to the street cred that media is pumping into Black males as the standard of "maleness", perhaps he would be equipped better to make better choices.

However, if the schools are to be implicated, then the parents are at least complicit in the failure. I would posit, that they are more than complicit but in fact PRIMARILY responsible for their children's lack of knowledge of self. We don't have to wait for a school to teach our children about their African ancestry. Rent "Roots" at the least, however; these teens were watching a story about Frank Lucas...I guess the educational value of his story being made a film for these young men was minimal at best.

I say that because you had folks talking about how important it was that the story of a man like Lucas should be told for "historical" / "educational" reason. A man who still brags about killing the "biggest baddest blackest" man he could find in order to secure his street creed...I guess its all in what you want to teach your children I guess. Should we teach them about our ancestors, their struggle, our ancestry in Africa? Or shall we allow the BET Thug - Gangster stories be the focus of our EDUtainment?

Fact is, if we want less of our children to choose crime, we have to educate them better both in school and most importantly OUTSIDE of school in the Home!

However, this leads us to the next problem...

2. Absentee Parenting:

The two suspect currently in custody are 16 and 17. Of course we hear about friends and family talking about "they are good boys" etc., but I'm tired of hearing that. They both have records, this wasn't one youthful mistake. But what else can we expect from parents like this? Those who deny reality and choose to see their children through rose colored glasses while they terrorize other peoples children. Here is what we get from this article: "They had gathered in the South Side apartment because it belonged to the mother of one of the teens. She had been arrested in the raid, but it was not her son's legal residence, the source said."

So one of these kids mothers was locked up, the house more than likely a "hang out" or "drug spot". We have parents acting more like children than their own kids. We have a generation that wants to be their child's friend as opposed to their child's parent or even worse, those who refuse to grow up and put their children first and strive to give them the foundation to have a better life than they have.

And lets not even talk about the lack of FATHERS around in this case.

3. So what's the conclusion, what do we do?

I hate people who point out problems and offer no solutions, so I'm going to suggest a few things. First off, we need to shame people who act like animals, simple as that. I am tired of every time when a Black person points out that we need to do better, value our children, value education or take advantage of what we have now, some idiotic buffoon comes out shouting about how "harsh" we are with "poor Blacks", and how much "the White man" is to blame. Damn all that!

This is not just about "poor" Blacks, that is a false dichotomy, mostly "poor" Blacks are victimized by people like the two suspects who killed Amadou. This is not about Rich, Middle Class or Poor, it is about positive values regardless of so-called social class.

Bottom line, we need to RAISE OUR STANDARDS in all things. Demand a better curriculum for the failing schools, demand that police do their jobs, and make a community standard where people will be ASHAMED to be proud of how "real" they keep it by slanging rocks, talking in ignorant dialects, striving against education, etc., etc.

Until then, we will have more tragic stories and I guess more material for future film makers to make films about sociopaths.

My condolences to the family of Amadou Cisse, though I never knew him, I know I have lost yet another good brother trying to do what was right to people who don't know what right is.

Thoughts anyone?

 

Comments

[Roslyn Holcomb]

These stories always strike terror in my heart. Because no matter how hard my husband and I work to raise our own child, his life can be snuffed out in a millisecond by someone whose parents just let them grow like dust in the wind.

Try as we might, we can't ignore these people because with these type acts they intrude into our lives like ants at a picnic.

[DJ Black Adam]

@Rosyln:

I agree. We have to worry about not just how we raise our children, but how everyone else does as well.

[Afripino]

"Bottom line, we need to RAISE OUR STANDARDS in all things."

Indeed!

[Ensayn]

My family is dealing with the murder of my nephew that occured almost one year ago, 12/6/06. My nephew was working, preparing to join the navy and was minding his on business when some youngsters decided they needed to commit murder. My nephew grew up with his mother and father (married) in the same house, my parents (his grandparents) married in the same house. But, the killers grew up like weeds, or dust in the wind as Roslyn put it. How do we protect the none weeds? Its very difficult. I wish education were the panacea.

[DJ Black Adam]

@Ensayn:

Education is part of the answer, however, this education has got to go beyond the classroom. I posit that it is most important the education one receives beyond the classroom to keep our children from situations like this.

Blackness (and by direct association Black Male identity) are now defined by some seriously flawed lowest common denominators. "Keeping it real" always seems to mean "real negative".

[Anali]

I read this story a few days ago. What a horrible horrible shame. Mr. Cisse had everything to look forward to and the loss of his life is a loss to us all.

[Miranda]

I've always thought that if we all knew that we come from greatness, we would do and act better, greater. The boys didn't know where Senegal was! They probably don't know where most of the states in the US are either. Sad.
I have a nephew (he just turned a year old). His parents (my sister and her boyfriend) are young and not the best examples, so I hope and pray he grows up to be a positive, smart, decent young man. But it's sad that even if he does, he can be taken off this earth by mindless thugs, that have mindless parents and no role models. Kill a student b/c "he wanted/needed some money??!!" GET A JOB!!

[primrose Thompson]

Education plays a major role in it because it is clear that at least one of the parents of these boys was quite uneducated. If the parents are uneducated, chances are the kids will come out the same way. We really need to analyze the situation in Chicago before we jump to judgements of these boys. I did not know Amadou Cisse, but I cried. I know these boys committed murder, but I cried for them too. They were not born murderers, society promoted the ugliest of their instincts. They committed murder, something that they will live with for the rest of their lives. These boys are just two among the thousands of hopeless black youth around the country...or world. But in a country like America, the educational disparity that they face should not exist. These kids are subject to unequal education systems, gentrification, and a push into the lower working class sector. Yes. It's better to be poor than a murderer, but you can't tell that to these kids. For them, it's get rich fast and die trying or clean toilets for the rest of your life. Many of them choose the first option. Chicago is a dual city. Walk two blocks from the projects and you see the nicest starbucks and condo. This invidualistic culture that we live in keeps us from looking out for these kids. If we don't, there will be many more Amadou Cisse's.

[B. Good]

Parenting, rearing, nurturing, instilling those positive values on the homefront......all of that NEEDS to improve. It must, or these senseless acts will continue.

[Los Angelista]

Oh, this breaks my heart. I worry about this for my sons, for the sons of every parent. Too many die in this way.

But what makes these boys do this? Well, why did Bigger Thomas kill the white girl in "Native Son"? The conditions that produced the Biggers of the world are still present. We forget about the incredible negative psychological and spiritual effects of racism.

Racism is the root of the lack of education, the lack of opportunity, the breeding of people who see each other as nothing. Why not pop this man for some money when you have no value for human life because your own nobility has been crushed out of you by the very fabric of society?

We complain about the uneducated "other" but how many of us go beyond talking and are actually out there mentoring kids in these neighborhoods, volunteering at community centers, being big brothers/sisters?

In a way, the blood is on all of our hands.

[DJ Black Adam]

@Liz:

Hello Liz, how was Depeche Mode btw? Anyway, I always enjoy your thoughts (even if I do not agree with some of them), let me comment on a couple of things.

"Racism is the root of the lack of education, the lack of opportunity, the breeding of people who see each other as nothing. Why not pop this man for some money when you have no value for human life because your own nobility has been crushed out of you by the very fabric of society?"

The social reality of racism in the United State is a factor in many situations, that is without debate. However; our ancestors, heck our grand parents and in some cases parents dealt with racism on a grander and more persistent scale than these young men that killed Amadou. So racism, though a factor, cannot be the primary factor here.

The education that is required here is not one of academics per se, but of one that WE as a COLLECTIVE transfer from generation to generation(Church, School, Neighborhood, etc. but most importantly the FAMILY unit) teaching VALUES. There is no cost to that, lack of money or opportunity does not equate to the end product of these children killing some one else's child.

Think about this, Amadou came from Senegal. Amadou's father was killed early in his life. What did Amadou's mother do? She sacrificed for her son to come to the United States so that he could do better, and Amadou intended to help his family and community in Senegal BACK. Consider this further: (from the CIA World Fact Book https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sg.html ) The unemployment rate in Senegal is 48%, 54% of the population of Senegal live below poverty line there.

Arguably, Amadou and his parents had worse social conditions than any of the accused perpetrators or the perpetrators parents, yet Amadou and his mother made different choices about what to do about their social - political actualities.

One of the perps decided to do this horrible deed because "He needed some money". Damn, I know I don't get out on the South Side that much but whenwe do visit my mother in law in Chatham, it still seems like McDonalds, Walgreens, J&J Fish, Target, Burger King, UPS, etc are STILL hiring.

How bad did the perp have it? Kicking back watching Denzel eating burgers he bought from where he SHOULD have been applying for a JOB!

BUT instead, they decide to rob and kill another Black person. Racism? Yes self hate. They made a choice, and maybe society helped put them in that position, but THEY chose.

They chose to do evil, simple as that. What did God say to the Israelites? "I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live..."

It comes down to what we choose, NOT what situations we are in. Honestly, most people in "the hood" ARE choosing life. They are working and doing the best they can, the perps are the exception not the rule.

"We complain about the uneducated "other" but how many of us go beyond talking and are actually out there mentoring kids in these neighborhoods, volunteering at community centers, being big brothers/sisters?"

At the risk of losing my red "Tovarisch" card and getting stuck with a red "GOP" card, I have to ask: "Why the heck SHOULD I mentor kids in the "hood", what sense would it really make?" Seriously, these perps fathers were not there, that is those guys choice, their mothers CHOSE the losers, and CHOSE not to do what they should have, put their children first, step up and sacrifce for their kids (unlike Amadou's mother).

I have four children myself, so why in the heck should I 'choose' to risk my life going into the hood to "mentor" people who would generally resent my presence alone? What, so I can end up a statistic, another Black man dead by the hand of other Blacks? Seriously, my primary responsibility is to my children, now will I help fund organizations that help children in disadvantaged situations? Sure. I have went to schools to speak with children about issues, financial aid, what to to expect from college, etc. Other than that, until someone convinces the Egyptian pantheon of gods to give me some of their power, "I" won't be in the hood mentoring anyone.

"In a way, the blood is on all of our hands."

I have to disagree there. I give money, and am willing to give time to those who desire it, other than that, their sins are their own. As far as I am concerned, these guys should be locked away for the rest of their lives.

[Gunfighter]

Well... you know that my feelings are just like your own on this issue, so all I can issue is a hearty AMEN!

[Keith]

The funny thing is that had these kid's fathers been around there is no assurance that this would have ended any better. It's one thing to have a father, another thing entirely to have a GOOD father.

I agree with you: We need solutions. I'm trying to be part of the solution by the way I live, but collective action is needed.

Finally, why didn't the authors of the article cite the fast food and soda as the culprit? They could have just as easily been high off of caffeine and burgers as amped up by a darn movie. My point is that both ideas are ridiculous and the mention of the movie was reckless reporting.

[DJ Black Adam]

@Keith:

With what they put in burgers, anything is possible!

But seriously, I found the reporting a bit shallow, the real sociological problems should have been addressed or at least touched on.

[miriam]

Hi DJ,

**off topic**

Where could I get an image like the one you have for your icon?

Thanks.

[Brotheromi]

there was a story about this man who had a son. He just earned a scholarship to an Ivy League university. the night before he was supposed to leave, he was gunned down.

at the eulogy, the father said "I did everything I could for my son, but i didn't do anything for the children who killed my son. If i did, i might have prevented this. "

Parenting is NOT a two person job

[DJ Black Adam]

@Brotheromi:

"Parenting is NOT a two person job"

Of course it isn't, however, if the two people who make the child don't' step up, it is a near impossible job for the rest of the village.

Ultimately, it still comes down to what the PERPS chose to do, the CHOSE death, ultimate responsibility comes down to them, not the victim or the victims parents.

[Kittyhummerkitty]

Great Post Dj Black Adam!

[Brotheromi]

i should have explained myself. i would never blamed the victims parents for that. if anything they are victims themselves. and i agree about the idea of taking responsibility for one's actions. I could have easily sold drugs and stuck people up like my peers, several of who came from two parent homes. it was ultimately my decision.

but many of us look at young people with these kind of issues as other people's problems and not ours. i think that's unfortunate.

[BLKSeaGoat]

I'm glad to see that there ISN'T an onslaught of excuse making for this little sociopath.

Unfortunately, some people are just rotten to the core and no matter what anyone does for them, they are beyond redemption. Why are our expectations so unreasonable for this boy's human incubator and egg fertilizer (I refuse to call them parents)? If you decide to have unprotected heterosexual sex, do you not realize that you become responsible for the life that may be produced as a result?

A promising scientist was cut down by a bottom feeder and I am almost certain that no amount of mentorship, social programs, or non-parental involvement would have helped. Certainly it may take a village to raise a child, but we have to first start a purging process to get the bottom feeders out of the village.

[Sister P]

Tragic story. Peace to the victims family. (My brother in law is a police officer at UC and tells of the rampant crime there.) They were quick to focus on the movies influence but I contend it may have more to do with the fast food. Too much of that can cause some psychosis (and I am truly not trying to simplify the situation or make mockery, I KNOW this to be true.) As with most issues, the answer is deep and you'd have to go back years into the life of the youth to find out the origin of the problem to get at it. I agree with most and that we all have to spend some time with a child that could "go either way" in hopes of being the light they need to keep it together or come back from the dark side.

[Los Angelista]

So, I think you know a little about what happened with my brother last year. At the age of 42, he'd just been released from prison and was trying to find work. He couldn't, got depressed and shot himself in the head. Sadly, he'd been in and out of jail since he was 17. I hadn't seen him in years because he was in prison.

We had both parents at home, my parents paid for him to go to private school, they have clear standards, involved in a religious community, etc., and he chose to hang out with the rich white kids that used coke. My parents sent him to rehab four times over the years. Paid all the lawyer fees, raised his children...he'd just use more and then go back to jail.

On the other hand, I have a friend who has no father, mom was extremely abusive, my friend had to be removed and placed in protective custody with another relative whose common law husband then raped him for years...and he went to an ivy league university for undergrad and law school. He's successful in all the ways we think someone should be successful. In my opinion, he needs therapy but that's another tale.

So yes, I know about individual choice and what role it plays in all this. But I just don't think it's always as simple as that. I brought up "Native Son" because that story shows exactly how the poor choices someone who's uneducated, angry, immature and on and on, are a part of our system, not just the fault of Bigger Thomas' mother and absentee father.

But, maybe these boys are just psychopaths and nothing could have turned them around. I don't think what the boys did to this young Ph.D. is at all excusable.

But I think we either recognize that kids in these situations need our help, whatever that help looks like, or we wait for them to jump on the Metra and come looking for $$.

[bygbaby]

On another note. You gt a shout out on News & Notes yesterday. Not sure if you heard or were listening.

Liz - Wow, your brother & friend's story is quite intense & tells me not matter where you come from, choices make all the difference.

Bygbaby

[bygbaby]

Back on topic, this story is fucked up for so many reasons & you point them out ever so eloquently!

The break down of the perpetrators began at home years ago with poor parenting. To have children that are that unaware of the world how are so desensitized is a serious problem. Maybe I am being a little harsh on the parents because teens are able to make right & wrong choices but... This is a topic that needs a louder discussion.

Bygbaby