In ancient civilizations, sports and death were often interchangeable—the less skilled of the Roman gladiators paid for their poor performances with their lives. Most archaic customs as brutal as gladitorial combat have long since vanished, contained now only within the pages of history books. But in a recent trend, American teenagers have revived the brutality of ancient sports in a way that is even more disturbing then their ancient predecessors.
Teenagers across the United States engaging in what is becoming a frightening trend. So-called “sport killings” of homeless people are increasing in number. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 122 attacks and 20 murders against the homeless occurred in 2006—the most attacks in nearly a decade.
Never heard of this pastime? Apparently it’s a blast. Baseball diamonds and basketball courts don’t provide the excitement that they used to. Teenagers are now “playing” with the homeless.
In 2004, 15-year-old Nathan Moore, 16-year-old Luis Oyola and 17-year-old Andrew Ihrcke killed 49-year-old Rex Baum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After having some beers with the homeless man, the boys began to punch, kick and throw leaves at Baum.
“It all started as a game,” Moore told CNN.
It was a game that turned deadly as the boys picked up a pipe and baseball bat and began to hit Baum. After having their fun, the teenagers destroyed his campsite and left him for dead as they headed to McDonald’s for some post-game celebration.
I am three years removed from my teenage days, but I remember the games I played when I was these boys’ age. I was more interested in playing baseball in the street, heading to the local park for some pick up basketball or chasing girls. My post-game treat involved hitting up an ice cream stand with my Little League team.
Those were the good old days. Instead of hitting four-baggers or perfecting their putting game, these teenagers are using bats, golf clubs and paintball guns to beat the homeless. And this is amusing.
I never thought I’d be asking what’s wrong with kids today, but here I am doing just that. We were taught to shelter the homeless, not to kill them. Someone needs to introduce these teenagers to Little League and soccer clubs, and the sooner the better.
