The source of violent crime in Atlanta isn’t mysterious: It’s desperation, born by inequality.

BY GEORGE CHIDI -

JANUARY 21, 2022

I heard about a kid named Twon selling water the wrong way on Northside Drive who got shot over $20. Of course, Twon wasn’t selling water. Not really. The water is incidental. Water boys sell forgiveness. The 17-year-old—Twon’s not his real name—was on a street corner in Vine City in May, hawking Gatorade and Dasani from a plastic cooler because there was no food in the fridge at home and no faster way to put some there. A driver thought they were being generous and handed out an extra $20 for a bottle. Learn more.