OUInsider - Owen Field

I think the point is that us old foggies should have no fear of some hooded dude walking down the street of our residential area late at night. Just because, we can't see a face or see what is under the twice over-sized sweatshirt we shouldn't assume anything.

I know I am old and grew up in an extremely different era, I am not stupid. In this day and age, if you aren't concerned about the people who walk your streets late at night then you are a fool. Or, at least, that is what I think.

I like Kenny and think he is a pretty good kid. But, to suggest that people have nothing to fear from those who haunt the streets late at night under the cover of hoods etc then I think he is way off base. [no he didn't say that, but it is the extension of where the thought process takes me]

Now, I know some will think my response here is an over-reaction to the article, I think it is right on target. Last Summer, in the heat of a July Saturday afternoon, two kids in hooded sweatshirts walked right up to my garage door and began to kick it in. There were neighbors in the yards directly across the street from my house. When my single neighbor lady tried to intervene they threatened her with bodily harm. They took on another former Ranger neighbor who convinced them with threats of bodily harm. On the way down the street they kicked in the door on his pickup. The police were called and the kids taken to jail.

A couple of years ago, three guys wearing black hooded shirts and black pants broke into an OKC home in the middle of a Sunday morning and shot the two senior citizen residents. I suppose these old folks should have invited them in for tea :).

Why some can't see why behavior and your dress draws negative attention to yourself is beyond me. In this day and age where thugs break and enter homes every night in the OKC area, are we supposed to just "assume" that someone who appears to be hiding behind an over-sized hooded sweatshirt isn't up to no good?

I live in a nice upscale OKC neighborhood. But, behind the doors to my house, I am armed. Any hooded dude who tries to enter my premises is in for a rude welcome. He/she breaches my doors and he is taking his life in his/her hands

I didn't mind the article but it did seem a little forced. As in the reporter was trying dig the story out of him instead of Kenny offering it up on his own. Kenny openly admitted that he didn't know a lot about it but the reporter tries to make it seem as if Kenny closely identifies himself with what happened. For that reason I didn't think it belonged in the paper.

I see Stills as a Southern California skater type kid not necessarily a hoodie wearing gangster. (not saying Trayvon Martin was a gangster just saying thats the conclusion that I feel the reporter is trying to get us to arrive at)

I think the point was to criticize some in society who judge others by what they wear or what ink they have on their skin.

It is a good point in light of horrible tragedy.

An equally good point is to not rush to judgment and condemn another person as a murderer before he gets a trial of his peers.

Kenny did not do that obviously and he has not suffered for his eccentric style in a socially conservative state. If anything, people gravitate toward him and good for him.

However, the media feels free to be judge and jury whenever it feels ratings are slipping by continuing to fan the flames. Equally dispicable, are those who continue to profit and live off the misery and despair of others for the sole purpose of extending their fifteen minutes of fame.

I think it's good to be reminded occasionally that these kids are not just athletes, but college students who have opinions on some of the issues of the day.

I wouldn't normally participate in this kind of thread, but it is the dead period so what the heck.

SJ, I agree with your post, with the following cavets. First, I don't care what people wear and/or do to their own skin. My motto is to live and let live. However, we all live in a society and we have to interact with others. When I see a person walking down the street in an over-sized baggy sweatshirt and with the hood pulled down and it is late at night it simply tends to give one pause about their safety. It is a simple human reaction.

Second, this is just my personal view, but I think those who present themselves in a way that presents them in a manner to make others uncomfortable then it is their fault. We live in an environment today where many people don't feel safe. So, when someone dresses and acts in a manner that causes concern in others they shouldn't be surprised or upset at the reaction they get.

I have three MDs who live within a blocks distance from my house. We all walk our dogs at night. Everyone of us have carry/conceal permits and we do carry. Anyone who appears out of the ordinary is immediatly looked at with suspicion. It is just the way the world is today.

I will tell you this -- anyone walking down our street at night whose appearance causes suspicion is going to find a police car on their heels really, really quick. And, it makes not a lick of difference about the color or ethnicicity of the individual. Black, white, yellow, brown, green or blue, you dress in a manner that makes people question their safety and you get to talk with the police.

So, in my view, this works both ways. Wear what you want, but don't get upset when others aren't so quick to accept that you are a great and friendly person. In other words, dress and act like a hoodlum/thug and you shouldn't be surprised at the reaction you get from others. And, if anyone thinks that how you dress doesn't impact how others view you then you have your head deep in the sand.