Slim Dunkin was an Atlanta rapper, who was killed at a recording studio a few weeks ago, on December 16th, apparently over a piece of stolen candy. The story is that Slim grabbed a piece of candy from another man in the studio. This led to an argument, then a fistfight, and then, (not so) naturally ensuing from that, a fatal gunshot wound to Slim’s chest.
Really? Over candy? I’m really not sure what to say to that, except that I’ve occasionally seen five years olds get into disputes over sweet stuff, and sadly sometimes things do end in tears; but lest we forget the obvious – these men weren’t five. What is it about ego, or the need for respect that elevated the value of a piece of candy above a living human being? Good grief. How do we get people to just walk away?
On Tuesday, the alleged shooter, Young Vito (aka Vinson Hardimon) was denied bond at a Fulton County (GA) courthouse. He had previously been arrested in Fulton County four times – all on charges involving gun violations. His most recent arrest in April 2011 was for aggravated assault, cruelty to children and gun offenses.
And another young man goes to jail… I realize that there are multiple complex cultural, historical, socio-economic and other factors involved here, but how, oh how do we fix it?
