I think you answered your own question. Many factors in play. Race, class, mental health, education, addiction, family and community, etc. Gordon began his life with all of these factors on the low end of the spectrum or stacked against him. I'd call him an idiot if he was raised by a doctor and a professor in La Jolla, CA with a maid, tutors, access to health care, regular healthy meals, white, etc. and he still screwed up repeatedly.