Why being an "e-thug" doesn't pay...

We have repeatedly talked about young Black men in our society, more so about suicide. But today we take a light-hearted approach to adolescent Black males to bring you this hilarious video. So whether you are SMH or LOL at this video, it sends a positive and much-needed message to young people in our Black community.

A teenage boy was caught for being a thuggish perpetrator on his Facebook page, going on to post on his wall that he was “dropping bodies on the block.” These antics continued for quite a while until his uncle caught him stirring trouble online and decided to give him a lashing…and a REAL one at that. In the video, the boy’s uncle speaks to all parents and guardians of youth today, encouraging them to stop the “senseless sh-t”, or continuing to allow their children to abuse their Internet and social media privileges, while his nephew is pacing nervously. Why, you ask? Because the fake thug’s uncle has a REAL belt in his hand, and is about to use it.

The uncle continues to tell online patrons that his nephew’s lifestyle origin isn’t real, and forces him to confess that the thug image was just a facade. “We don’t come from that [kind of background],” said the uncle, with the teenager cowering in the background. “All that is fake,” the boy says. What comes next can only be justified by watching the video (WARNING: this video contains explicit language. Watch at your own risk):

In reality, I think this classic “butt whooping” video, although quite funny, showed a positive message for those of us in the Black community. Apparently, there are still some relatives and family members who believe in disciplining their children for their wrongdoings. That uncle just saved his nephew’s life; we have read articles in the news or heard stories where people have been assaulted or killed, or committed suicide because of harassment or feuds fueled by Facebook or Twitter activity. Becoming an online “thug”, or being pretentious on the Internet period becomes a serious issue which never stops until it’s confronted. Even more, I don’t think ANY real thug has a social media page at all; that just doesn’t seem right to me.

We are living in a society where people cower behind computer screens and, because they are anonymous, choose to become vile, hateful, or unbearably mean people. This idea of being who you want to in this fantasy world becomes most people’s reality, and with the influence of “studio gangsters” and movies about violence, it pushes people further to play out their fantasy in a seemingly “safe” environment. So kudos to the uncle for stopping his nephew from being an e-thug; we need more men with his mentality in our Black community.

1. Was it necessary for the boy’s uncle to record his nephew being punished?
   
2. Does this video send out a positive message to young Black men, or does it cross the line of child abuse?

Let us hear your thoughts on the matter!