The Oklahoma Times
Dallas Winston—Oklahoma Tragedy
Dallas Winston was killed by Oklahoma police this weekend. The hardened,
towheaded teen had a long criminal record, and he was seen as the most
disreputable member of the Greasers gang. Winston was known for his recurrent
arrests, sometimes spending one week out of every month in jail. Not caring
whether or not he was caught, he often participated in some of the most brazen
illegal activities on the East Side of the city. These activities included shoplifting,
defacing public property, attacking small children and assaulting young boys.
Winston’s conduct did not endear him to many people who believed that he
deserved his violent death; but few people knew that this rebel, who constantly ran
afoul of the law, had a softer, more compassionate side.
A closer look at Winston’s own childhood gives us a glimpse into his character and
might possibly explain the motives for his actions. His father was an abusive,
alcoholic who often left a young Winston to fend for himself. Winston was first
arrested at age ten and learned early on the horrors of life behind bars. The
Greasers, a motley group of youngsters with more differences than similarities,
quickly became Winston’s family. Despite his characteristic aggression, which he
displayed in his frequent fights with his good friend Curly Sheperd, Winston was
known to have a more gallant, courageous side. He was very protective of the
late Johnny Cade, the youngster who died in city hospital after succumbing to
injuries he obtained in a fire. Winston offered Cade and Ponyboy Curtis the
resources they needed to run away following the death of another youngster.
Winston later pulled them from a burning building.
The death of Dallas Winston should prompt state officials to consider how to serve
the interests of economically disadvantaged and troubled youths from
dysfunctional homes. Is incarceration at the age of ten the most effective way
to deal with at risk youths? Could Winston’s tragic end been averted if the state
did more than use punitive measures to deal with a pattern of delinquency?
The other Dallas Winstons of the world deserve better than retributory actions
designed to “get back” at youngsters who need help. This is Oklahoma’s tragedy.
Complete this vocabulary activity in your journal.
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Read the article
Write each bold faced word.
Use context clues and write the meaning of the words.
Write a synonym for each word.
Use each word in a sentence of your own.