He had this ability because he was educated on the street to recognize such characteristics. By being director of a school in 1977, Canada experienced two students fighting only when "staff were around". The boys never fought when the public was absent because their main goal was craving attention. Because of his experiences in the Bronx, he saw the fighting students as a joke compared to the fighting's that he went through during his time in the Bronx. Having proof that people who were economically stable also learned violence verifies that violence was not innate in only the minority group.
Canada became aware of violence at the age of four learning that his brother John was held up for his jacket when he was in the courtyard with his big brother Dan. The minute Geoff's mother found out about the jacket, she "exploded" and demanded Dan to "get your brother's jacket or when you get back I"m going to give you a beating that will be ten times as bad as what that little thief could do to you." Although Dan and John were terrified about going back to get their jacket, they had to resort to violence to resolve their dilemma. Geoff's mother made the boys get the jacket back so they can gain a reputation of taking no bull. Geoff's mother told the boys that they had to "stick together" and hold up a strong front so no one would trouble with them. This shows that violence came to Geoff at a very young age and that it was never in him previous to his experiences. Young people, like Geoff may possibly not have engaged in violence if he was not exposed to the usual violence he saw everyday. .
Canada learns first hand when he gets cajoled into being friends with a thief his own age. Geoff gains a whole new level of conscious after finding that he could not let his guard down at any time. Having shopped at A&P, Geoff was carrying a can of pork and beans in his bag and had the advantage of hitting his " new friend" with it; however, he couldn't bring himself to fighting for himself.