Lies that he told, or that others told him:
He was teased and bullied a few years ago, so this is how he handled it.
He never fit in at school, so this is how he handled it.
There are only two options for blacks to succeed in the US, either you are athletic and work hard, or you run with gangs. There are no other options for young black men.
I disagree that there are no other options.
I do concede, however, that any other options are extremely difficult and unlikely. It starts with the family life.
One might try studying, get an education. Ignore the comments “you’re acting white”.
I think that’s a third granted a much harder option but still an option!