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Snapshots of hope in memory of Billy Cox
Mark Blunden22 Jun 2009
Teenagers on the estate where 15-year-old Billy Cox was shot dead in his bed are being encouraged to take up photography in a bid to beat crime.
A group of 15- to 19-year-olds have been given cameras to capture images from the flats where Billy was killed on Valentine's Day in 2007.
Detectives believe Billy, whose 13-year-old sister found him in their flat on the Fenwick Estate, Clapham, was targeted because of a minor drug deal. Police are still hunting the killer.
Drug offences and violent crime are falling on the estate and community workers believe they can help target the “postcode rivalry mentality” that police fear led to Billy's death.
The Upshotz photography project involved 16 teenagers at youth clubs in Clapham North, Brixton and West Norwood, working alongside three professionals. Over a month, they were taught the basics of photography then sent into the streets of Lambeth with disposable cameras to capture “what peace meant to them”.
The project has been so successful its founders are negotiating with Tate Britain to exhibit there next year. They also hope the scheme, backed by Lambeth council, will go borough-wide.
The 38 images show a snapshot of local life. Tanika Bryan, 16, of Brixton, attended the course at Pyramid Youth and Community Centre, close to Billy's home. She said: “The project has helped me meet new people, because if you are just in one place for too long you see the same faces who might have a negative influence on you.
“Postcode rivalry still exists but I think it affects boys more than girls. For some there's still the mentality of I need to get you before you get me'.”
Alexus Burke, 15, of West Norwood, impressed with an atmospheric shot of a cemetery. She said: “Too many people are dying due to crime so when I look at this photo it will tell me to be peaceful before I end up there.”
Ellie Laycock, co-founder of Upshotz with Mathias Moka, said: “I thought photography could offer another outlet for young people. It was hard to engage with them initially, they were wary of us, but soon the project gave them a real sense of achievement.”
An Eye For Peace runs until Saturday at Apollo, Norwood Road, Herne Hill.
Reader views (4)
Kids are forced everyday into gangs to scared to say no. These gang members don't ask politely if you would like to be in there gang. They target kids and threaten them. Sometimes in groups of 20 plus, how does one 13year old say no to that pressure. Some gangs rule the area these kids live so they can’t go out without facing gang members. If you think some kids have a choice then you have no idea what is really happening in the real world.
The gang members threaten the kids or to do something to there family and to scared to tell someone. In no time a kid has been in the gang for a few years and can’t just walk away. These kids can’t just say I don’t want to be in your gang any more thank you I have news friends, it doesn’t work like that.
- M, London, 22/06/2009 17:01
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In my view anything that helps kids from deprived backgrounds out of gangs and gives them something worthwhile and positive to focus on is money well spent as far as I’m concerned.
- Nj, London
And we can also make a decent start by stop glamourising gang thugs and ban murals left as shrines to the likes of Billy Cox. What next? Every street in South London named after every gang thug murdered in revenge for their own criminal actions?
Gang thugs can go on killing each other for all I care - as long as decent-living citizens are left alone, and without fear or intimidation.
- Nowan King, London, 22/06/2009 16:27
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So Nowan, you think it’s ok for a 15 year old to be killed over a triviality do you? “one low life killing another” I really don’t know what to say to that, what an appalling comment, maybe you should tell his 13 year old sister who found his body your opinions. In my view anything that helps kids from deprived backgrounds out of gangs and gives them something worthwhile and positive to focus on is money well spent as far as I’m concerned.
- Nj, London, 22/06/2009 15:26
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It says he was killed because of a drug deal, so why are we glorifying him as a martyr? If he was killed because of that, it's just another case of one low-life being killed by another, so I spare my sympathy and think this is an evil waste of money and resources. No one is forced to get into gang/drug culture.
- Nowan King, London, 22/06/2009 10:08
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