Clearly, the author is writing about the fact of racism, minorities and majorities, and violence that stems from it all. He makes clear in the introduction that he understands the problems with racism and violence by explaining that he often lectures on the subject. His work is complex, as he explains when he writes, “What I have attempted to show is that the origins of lethal youth violence lie in a complex set of influences.”
“Tipping point” is the period at which a problem occurs and reaches epidemic proportions. For the author, it is the fundamental period in the heightening of an epidemic problem. Additionally, the author explains this is the moment when infection increases and causes the most damage. The author explains, “One of these tools is the concept of the “tipping point,” the moment in the development of an epidemic at which only a small change in the presence of the germ produces a big change in the rate of infection.” While he uses this medical metaphor he also makes it clear that the “tipping point” also applies to social epidemics, such as violence.
Race and culture both play significant roles in this book. The author states at the beginning that race is a predominant factor in adolescent angst and concomitant violence. In the Prologue, the author speaks about the disparity between minority crime and White crime, noting the differences with which they are treated in society.
As the author makes clear early in the book, listening is one method for reclamation. Society must also take steps to avoid adolescent abuse and violence when possible. The author explains, “The defense wanted my testimony to explain how this boy’s history of abuse and exposure to violence in the community was relevant to an understanding of his motives and actions. By then I had become accustomed to hearing about the violent acts boys commit, so I was prepared to deal with the details of this boy’s crime.” Listening seems the most prominent method to reclaim all children, according to this author.
One of the strongest points is the author’s discussion of how he researches this issue of violence. He makes it clear that he is an authority on the issue by his research and his lectures. He makes a strong point about adolescent violence. What bothered me most after this reading is simply his lack of experience in this book.
He opens in the Prologue with a strong discussion of his son, but we only see his work from case studies, interviews, and testimonies. How can he understand the pain of adolescent violence if he has never been part of it? Yet he does make it clear that he is an expert in the field of racism and violence. In short, this book is an excellent view of violence in our society; additionally, the author demonstrates great knowledge over the subject matter in his work (research) and presentation of material. It is sad commentary on society that racism still manages to invoke such problems, as violence and who gets noticed in the newspaper.