Dr. Ronald Gates
ON THE RECORD · 17 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“They wanted to make sure that they tried to whitewash the narrative as they’re saying that these are just retaliations between individuals.”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates criticized city officials for describing violent incidents merely as retaliation between individuals.
“Is it worth losing my life or going to prison for the rest of my life?”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates urged young people to weigh the risk of losing their lives or spending life in prison.
“Let’s use common sense,”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates appealed for common sense when dealing with personal disputes.
“If they would have had the opportunity, a different path, a different choice … could they still be here today?”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates questioned whether young victims could have been saved if given early intervention opportunities.
“Now they’re learning how to make honest money, business money, capital, instead of putting their life on the line,”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates explained how entrepreneurship and legal earnings could steer youth away from crime.
“The prevention, it works if you put it out there,”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates emphasized the effectiveness of youth gang-prevention initiatives.
“I thank God that someone intervened,”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates reflected on how family and sports helped steer him away from gang life in his youth.
“I said, ‘Give it two years,’”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates recalled warning city leaders in 2016 that violence would escalate within two years.
“I said, ‘Man, I’ve got to bring this back to Asheville, North Carolina,’”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates recalled his reaction after discovering a gang prevention program in California in 2016.
“Is it even worth retaliating?”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates urged young people considering retaliation to question the value of seeking revenge.
“Any money that they can hustle up, they feel like they’re doing something or doing their part.”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates noted that young men seek to contribute financially to their households through any available means.
“They did not want to actually acknowledge that it was gang activity,”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates expressed frustration over Asheville city leaders refusing to acknowledge gang activity.
“You have personal disputes,”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates discussed the dynamics behind violent conflicts among local youths.
“Count up the real costs.”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates urged people to consider the true costs of retaliatory violence.
“But then the thrust behind it, the motivation behind it is because, ‘Look here, you spilled some blood. I’m going to spill some blood also.’ And that’s what it has come to.”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates described the cycle of retaliatory bloodshed motivating violent disputes.
“Two years to the year.”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates noted how quickly the escalation in violence followed his warning to officials.
“These young men want to help provide for their single mom or their family,”
Dr. Ronald Gates · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30
Dr. Ronald Gates explained the financial pressures that drive young men toward gang involvement.