Introduction

Question

If you’ve ever driven through Atlanta in the summer, you’ve probably seen the Water Boys. A group of young Black boys running up to cars at busy intersections, selling bottled water for a couple of dollars. At first glance, it might seem like innocent hustling or just kids trying to stay out of trouble. But the truth is, what started as a small hustle has grown into a dangerous issue for both drivers and the boys themselves. Some have been aggressive, others involved in fights or robberies, and a few even shot. What’s worse is that these kids are often seen as a threat before they’re seen as human. The issue isn’t the water; it’s the lack of opportunity, guidance, and structure these kids are missing. Atlanta has tried police crackdowns and public warnings, but none of that solves the real problem. My goal with this essay is to bring attention to how the city is failing these boys and why mentorship, job training, and youth development programs are the real solution.



Problem

The Water Boy issue didn’t just pop up overnight. It’s the result of years of poverty, lack of youth programs, broken homes, and kids being left to figure life out on their own. These boys are mostly pre-teens/teenagers from low-income neighborhoods, trying to make money the only way they know how. Some sell water respectfully, but others get desperate leading to harassment, theft, and sometimes violence. The city has tried to respond by increasing police presence and cracking down at intersections, but that’s only made things worse. Arresting or scaring these kids off corners doesn’t fix the fact that they have nowhere else to go. Community groups have stepped in here and there with job offers and mentorship, but there’s not enough structure, funding, or long-term planning behind it. Until we stop treating them like a problem and start giving them real options, this cycle will continue.
For your second and third posts, reply to two of your classmates, and provide constructive feedback on what they have written so far. Identify specific examples of both strengths and opportunities. write a short response

Answer 1

Response to Classmate 1:

Hi [Classmate's Name],

I really appreciated your insight into the broader societal factors that contribute to the Water Boys phenomenon. Your points about poverty and the absence of youth programs highlight the systemic issues that need to be addressed. I found your use of statistics about youth unemployment in Atlanta particularly compelling; it really drives home the urgency of the situation.

One strength of your post is how you've framed the narrative around these boys not just as a problem but as products of their environment. This humanizes them and encourages readers to empathize with their circumstances, which is essential for fostering understanding and support.

An area for growth could be to include specific examples of successful youth programs that have been implemented elsewhere that could serve as models for Atlanta. This could strengthen your argument by showing that effective solutions exist and can be tailored to this context.

Overall, great job tackling such a complex issue with empathy and depth!

Response to Classmate 2:

Hi [Classmate's Name],

Your essay does a fantastic job of pinpointing the immediate dangers of the current approach to managing the Water Boys. I particularly liked how you discussed the negative impact of increased policing—it's refreshing to see the conversation focus on solutions rather than just the problems. Your argument about mentorship as a key solution rings true, and I can see how it connects to broader themes of community empowerment.

One of the strengths of your post is your call to action; it’s motivating and pushes for a proactive approach rather than a reactive one. However, I think it would enhance your argument further to include some stories or testimonials from the Water Boys themselves or from mentors who have successfully engaged with them. Personal stories often resonate with readers and could illustrate the potential impact of mentorship more vividly.

Great work raising awareness about an important issue and advocating for change!