I have been bugging Andrew Padula to write the post that follows since he told me about his disturbing encounter on the DC metro last year. He was extremely hesitant to do so, but finally put it together in the wake of the Chicago beating-murder of the young honor roll student that was captured on cell phone video.

As the victim of violent bullies as a child, when I lived in New York I dreaded being on the subway at the time schools let out because of the overt aggression displayed by many of the packs of junior high and high school kids taking the subway to get wherever they headed after school.

Andrew’s essay is raw and honest.

Love it or hate it, I hope you will share your thoughts in the comment section.