This piece explores the complex reality of gun and gang violence within Black youth communities. From the outside, these young men are often judged, labeled as criminals, and seen as a danger to society. But within their own communities, they see themselves as protectors--standing guard for their families, their friends, and their neighborhoods. By painting them as green toy army men, I highlight this dual perception. Toy soldiers are symbols of honor, strategy, and duty, yet they are also just plastic figures, manipulated by forces beyond their control. Similarly, many Black youth caught in cycles of violence are shaped by systemic issues--poverty, lack of resources, and the need for survival. They don't see themselves as villains but as soldiers fighting a war they never enlisted in.