The Lost Boyz: A Dark Side of Graffiti - Softcover

Rollins, Justin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1904380670 ISBN 13: 9781904380672

Publisher: Waterside Press, 2011

Synopsis

A rare first-hand account of disaffected youth. Contains countless lessons for young people who might be attracted to crime (and anyone involved with them socially or professionally). Aged just fourteen and using the name 'Sevens', the author went from being a bullied child to leader of the Warriorz, a group of London street kids involved in graffiti-tagging and other crimes including a series of violent encounters. Eventually given a substantial custodial sentence for an attack with a meat cleaver on the London Underground, Justin Rollins became determined to steer other young people away from such a life. The Lost Boyz tells the story of his descent into a form of madness in which self-destruction, anger, wanton behaviour and fear lie at the core. Not before has a book taken the reader so far inside the minds of troubled youths as the author and his companions-some of whom did not survive or also ended up in prison-gradually realise that there is no easy escape from their chaotic lifestyle. Their need to gain respect from and stay credible with each other stems from offending, alienation, living on the margins of society and crazy behaviour-all of which serve as barriers to rejoining the normal world and going straight. The book contains countless lessons for young people who might be attracted to crime just as it does for anyone interested in youth offending, gang culture, criminology, mental health issues or that period of modern English social history when the unofficial decoration of walls, fences, trains and buses became a telling symbol of disaffected youth. Reviews 'This is simply 100% raw talent ... a must-read': Inside Time 'An unforgettable story': Social Work With Groups 'What a nightmarish time': Graphotism 'Some real dark moments ... be prepared': Keep the Faith 'A job well done': Noel 'Razor' Smith, crime writer (from the Foreword) . Author Justin Rollins grew-up on the streets of south-London and was a one-time leader of a graffiti gang. Having served time for a violent crime he is now s a security guard and works with youth groups. Foreword author Noel 'Razor' Smith is the best-selling author of A Few Kind Words and a Loaded Gun and works for the prison newspaper Inside Time.

About this title

Product Description:

For those who equate graffiti tagging with the cosy quirkiness of Banksy or the colourful artistry of wasteground murals - this book will be a real eye-opener. 'The Lost Boyz documents Justin's road to change and redemption. This is the story of almost feral youth, spraying their mark on the urban chaos of pre-millenium London. A story of what it's like to grow up as a confused and mentally unstable child of mixed race in a predominantly white area. A story of mental torture, racism and extreme violence. The Lost Boyz takes the reader through the dirty back streets and dark alleys of south London where vicious gangs of graffiti taggers fought an all-out turf war that left many victims and casualties in its wake. The Lost Boyz squandered their youth in a nihilistic rush towards oblivion. And some did not survive the journey. Justin Rollins was one of the lucky ones...He spent years in prison before managing to wrest back some control over his life. Now in his mid 20s Justin is a changed man, hardly recognisable (both physically and mentally) to the youth I first met. He now has a young daughter of his own and is reconciled with the family he once felt so distant from.He no longer drinks or takes drugs, and nor does he see himself as separate from the rest of society. In writing this book, which was a long and painful journey for him, Justin hopes to lay his ghosts of the past to rest. And if it serves as a warning to even one kid who may be starting out on the same road, then it is a job well done': Noel 'Razor' Smith, crime writer (from the Foreword) .

Review:

'This is simply 100% raw talent being unleashed right from the start... This book is a must-read for the prison population, academics and politicians': Inside Time. 'An unforgettable story of a violent and disturbed young man, who, despite spiraling out of control, is anchored by his friendships and the power of his gang community. Group work readers will likely identify this as a particularly significant aspect of the narrative': Social Work With Groups. 'Reading this book is a little like living a nightmare, but you can always close the book, Justin Rollins actually lived this life; what a nightmarish time': Graphotism. 'This book confirms that the effects of childhood trauma can take their toll on some individuals, depending on how they're dealt with - and it also confirms that the age-old effect of peer pressure can really make young people do some crazy stuff... but there are some real dark moments in there so be prepared': Keep the Faith. 'In writing this book, which was a long and painful journey for him, Justin hopes to lay his ghosts of the past to rest. And if it serves as a warning to even one kid who may be starting out on the same road, then it is a job well done': Noel 'Razor' Smith, crime writer (from the Foreword).

About this edition

• Publisher: Waterside Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1904380670
• ISBN 13: 9781904380672
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 178