Why do many African Americans & even Hispanics not strive to improve themselves from the ghetto instead relying on drugs, stealing, gangs, etc?

[Anonymous]

I've never understood this. Could blame "broken" families but personally if I grew up in a household where my father was always in & out of jail - and/or mum was sitting on welfare with half a dozen kids & each with a different dad - I would try hardest NOT to be like them.

And there are African Americans & Hispanics who say fuck the ghetto. Who work like dogs to make money so they can get an education and a career.

Do they face issues. Yes, racism, discimination, etc. And not just from whites but other minorities and even among their brethern who are jealous of these people's success.

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But it almost seems for 1 person who escapes there's 10 or 20 people who think that being on welfare, dealing drugs, stealing cars, etc. - quick easy cash essentially - is better.

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I am asking as someone who is mixed - Hispanic father, half African American mum - but who had the fortune of a good family.

[Guy13]

Yeah, sometimes it boils down to a will to be in a better place and have a better experience than the early years of life. I do not know why those rough years are not motivating. To some degree, I think it is easier to repeat what we know rather than struggle to be something we were not trained to be.

[Anonymous]

I believe this has a lot to do with the environment they grew up in.