The Girl Fight--The New Video Vixens

While driving home through Wilmington (minding my own business), I witnessed the most horrible act of teen violence that I had ever seen in my life. I see 2 girls fighting in the middle of the road, others about to join in and gang up on 1 girl, and a host of witnesses egging it on and taping it with their camera phones. In situations like this, I can't in good conscience walk away. I pulled my car up very closely to the fighting girls, beeped my horn, and screamed. Eventually, they were distracted enough to break for a second. I yelled "get in" to the young girl getting beat up. She jumped in my car and we drove away while others were shouting "i'm gonna get you worse next time".

Unfortunately, incidences like this are very common. I personally feel that taping the fight and posting it on youtube is almost worst than getting beaten. The aim is to humiliate to the ultimate degree. Furthermore, it seems that when camera phones are brought out, the fights become more brazen. It's as if the participants feel compelled to put on a good show. Quality YouTube Entertainment equals bragging rights.

I could never stand idle as a friend is getting beat up and encourage this behavior. When I was younger, we tried at all costs to prevent fights. I guess things are different now. But I still don't get it! Who is to blame? Is it the parents? Often they are in shock when they see their children performing for the cameras. Believe it or not, some of these children do come from good homes. Is it access to technology? Is it causing our children to get too much too fast and ultimately stunting their maturity? The government believes that children are not responsible enough to drive until the age of 16 or 17. Perhaps they aren't responsible enough to use all technological advancements that we have at our disposal. Maybe they only need Cell Phones that dial 3 numbers--home, school, and the police!

It is important to note one good thing that comes out of taping these fights. They can help aid in the prosecution of wrongdoing. It is a shame that these children don't even realize that they are essentially documenting evidence that can send them to jail.

So, would I ever stop and break up a fight again, even if it puts me in harms way? Absolutely!!! Not doing anything is as bad as videotaping it.