Then why didn't they act like men and take care of the situation? They should have hung the criminals on their own.
I'll bet some of them did, or at least tried. But put yourself there -- would YOU, or would your husband (if you're female) go after a bunch of young, tough, ARMED kids in a situation where you already had your hands full trying to make right? I know enough black folks to know that just because a kid is young and black, doesn't make him a gang-banger, and I know enough black folks to know a LOT of black men who would do just what my husband or brothers would do in that situtation if they could -- KICK ASS if possible, but again ... gang kids are mean, tough, and armed, unlike most average good guys. I'm all for passing judgement when the info is in, but it's early days yet. And from what I know of human nature, I'll bet that there were folks who did try to "act like men" and take care of the situation. We just haven't heard about them.