No excuse, but ... some very good reasons
I can not bring myself to write in defense of crack dealers or any type of drug dealers.
That said, it is easy for people who have not lived in the hood to jump to conclusions.
Of course, if YOU (middle class white man or woman) moved to the hood, knowing what you know and having the role models and privledge and parental support that you have experienced, of course YOU would chose another method to earn money.
You would also bring with you a notion of delayed gratification, commitment, and sacrifice, as well as memories of them having worked for you and others that you know.
The lure of dealing drugs does not exist in a vaccum. For poor young males, many African American -- or Dominican, drug dealing is attractive in the ABSENCE of good role models. Very few neighbors, if anyone, are showing them how to escape the shackles of poverty.
If THE ONLY RICH GUY YOU KNEW was a sports icon and the other was a drug dealer, the only one, are you SO sure that you would not turn to dealing? (Mayeb after your dream of sports turned sour...)
Don't you think they KNOW the probability of death before age 25, what is it now 1 in 3 for a young black/hispanic dealer?
I read the obits for tens of young black/hispanic men that I went to schol with. Some of them were in my algebra class in middle school, a few ran track and played ball, some went to college for a short time, before risking their lives for easy drug money.
It is very easy to judge these folks when we live outside of their world and can not even fathom what it is like. It is easier to judge them when we did not know them as small boys, neighbors, brothers, boyfriends or sons.
May I suggest that we save our loathing for the next level up - the Dons who sell to the dealers ,and to their big daddies. Those guys must be suit guys. Maybe they're posting on this board and condeming the little street warriors.
Selling drugs on that level is the inexcusable job. Back off of the young street corner dealers and focus your energy on alternative ways to get them out of poverty.
Done with my vent, bring on the raw eggs and rotten tomatoes! -suenos