An extremely interesting post Loukas. It has brought to light, for me, something I have never encountered in my life. I see it all over television and newspapers but I live so far up North where the culture doesn't exist that I didn't really it was a very real thing that people faced in their lives.
Reading about it in newspapers etc is horrible. Nearly daily I see young people with a good future being killed. A one second rash decision to fire a gun and their whole life is over. And that's not just it - they have family and friends around them that have to live with this decision for their lifetime. Constantly mourning the loss, because they'll never get over something that was unjust.
I agree with the fact we have a war in our own country, nevermind the wars Worldwide. It's getting to the point where it's almost a civil war - what makes people kill their own fellow countrymen with firearms?
I know this sounds very "old fashioned" and like I'm 40 - but I genuinely believe the initial cause was media glorification. I'm not saying people like 50 cent etc... I'm talking Underground Rap, Hip Hop etc - the type that actually glorified it and made their life seem good in gangs. People wanted to become them and adopted 'colours'. However, these days I think the media aren't to blame. The "craze" has taken off... and now there is no turning back.
It's really bad to say, but, I think this is going to get worse before it gets any better. Especially now there's an "epidemic" factor about it. The kids in gangs seek infamy and attention - they will keep on killing innocent people in order for their voice to be heard - and I can't think, myself, of a way to deal with it.
I am sorry to hear about your friends/acquaintances Loukas.