The groups that, traditionally come to mind when one thinks of modern day gangs, are the Crips and the Bloods from California. The origins of the Crips and Bloods can be traced to the late 60's, and the gang culture is so ingrained on the west coast that many families have three and even four generations of gangsters residing in the same residence. The National Youth Gang Center reveals that there are over 25,000 gangs nationwide, with a total membership of over 600,000. These numbers are often debated, and depending on whose criteria is used to decide who is and is not a gangbanger. The figures could be considerably higher.

To give you an idea of the size of the gang problem:
· There are nearly as many gangs as there are McDonald's, Burger King's, and Wendy's combined.

· If 850,000 - 950,000 gang members were standing back-to-back, that line would stretch 240 to 270 miles! That's the distance between San Francisco California and Las Vegas Nevada.

Almost all of them identify with the four major gangs from other states. Those are: 1) Crips; 2) Bloods; 3) Folk Nation; and 4) People Nation. The Crips and Bloods are Los Angeles oriented while the Folk Nation and People Nation are Chicago oriented. The Black Gangster Disciples (a sub-group of the Hoovers) appears to be the largest denomination with the Bloods being the second largest. Some believe the Disciples and Crips are aligning on the streets as well as in the prisons, as are the Bloods and Vice-Lords.

Incarcerated adult gang leaders run many gangs. For example, the notorious Chicago-based Gangster Disciples number over 25,000, yet one man from his jail cell, Larry Hoover, who is currently serving a 150-200 year prison term, governs them. Many of these leaders give orders to local area coordinators, or generals, as they are sometimes called. Smaller gangs are more loosely knit, and leadership can take the form of several individuals who are best in certain areas such as fighting, drug sales, or weapons procurement.

Oftentimes, young peripheral or associate gang members get their first exposure to the gang culture through various aspects of the media--news shows, movies, videos, and even through the music of various artists. Some music and movies tend to glamorize the gang lifestyle. Many kids who gravitate to gangs do so out of a need to belong to something and for the power that is gained from being in a gang. The society that we live in makes alternative lifestyles very appealing. I believe, however, that the need for attention and the desire to obtain material goods are fast becoming the motivations driving youngsters to these groups.

Prisons are most often “induction camps” for many African American youth. While in prison, these youngsters become exposed to and indoctrinated into the world of real life gangbangers who are truly the hardest of the hard-core. Then, back to the streets these bangers go with more "knowledge" than ever could have been gained on the streets. When they are in prison, many gain rank or "juice" within their gang because they went to the "joint". While most kids on the streets are good kids, as long as society continues in the direction in which we are currently drifting, all kids must be considered at risk.

Generally, a gang can be considered to be a loosely organized group of individuals who collaborate together for social reasons. Modern day gangs now collaborate together for anti-social reasons. Gangs generally have a leader or group of leaders who issue orders and reap the fruits of the gang's activities. A gang may also wear their "colors", wear certain types of clothing, tattoos, brands, or likewise imprint their gang's name, logo, or other identifying marks on their bodies. Many gangs also adopt certain types of hairstyles and communicate through the use of hand signals and graffiti on walls, streets, school, work, and school property. It must be understood that it is not illegal to be in a gang and indeed many adults are currently involved in activities that meet Webster's definition for a gang.

Gangs may identify with a large city gang or remain locally turf oriented. Over the last several years’ gangs have made an evolution from being turf and brotherhood oriented to now being involved in one way or another with criminal enterprises. Some sell drugs, some steal cars, some brutalize and rob, and some do all of the above. Local gang members have stated that out of town connections many times bring in guns and drugs from other communities for distribution.

Groups that may have started out as a delinquent band of neighborhood toughs have now turned into a violent drug gang, some of whom retain a gang identity for enforcement, collection, or other reasons. Most gang members crave power, or "juice" as it is known in gang slang.

Gang members also claim to enjoy the respect or fear others exhibit around them. Then they say, the money begins flowing, and with that comes all of the things associated with material wealth that is usually beyond the reach of these adolescents without the criminal activity of being involved in a gang.

Sociologists as well as gang members have isolated the following reasons for joining a street gang:

· Identity · Discipline
· Recognition · Love
· Belonging · Money

Additionally, many kids are intimidated into gangs to avoid continued harassment. Gangs provide their members and family members with protection from other gangs as well as any other perceived threats.

Feelings of fear, hatred, bigotry, poverty, disenfranchisement, and the general breakdown of social values are also considered motivations for joining a street group.
We have currently identified four large major city gangs:

· Crips - L.A. oriented
· Bloods - L.A. oriented
· Folk Nation - a/k/a Hoovers, BGD's, Shorty Folks, Shorties-Chicago oriented
· People Nation - a/k/a Vice Lords, P Stone Rangers, Blackstone Rangers, Latin Kings-Chicago oriented

Is gang graffiti just meaningless scribble or is it some type of art?

It's neither. While some graffiti has elements of artistic flair, it serves as a gang advertisement or newspaper. Graffiti not only marks a territory a gang has claimed, it also serves as a warning and challenge to other gangs. Graffiti, depending how it is written, can also honor a fallen comrade (usually with a tombstone or RIP), list the street names of gang members, and show opposition and disrespect for another gang.

Gangs will sometimes change affiliations. It must always be remembered that gangs are very fluid in nature and changes occur almost daily.

In order to better understand the gang mentality, the following are considered the "Three R's" of gang culture:

(1) REPUTATION/REP. This is of critical concern to "gangbangers" (gang members). A rep extends not only to each individual, but to the gang as a whole. In some groups, status (or rank) is gained within the gang by having the most "juice" based largely on one's reputation. While being "juiced" is very important, the manner by which the gang member gains the "juice" is just as important.

(2) RESPECT. This is something everyone wants and some gang members carry their desire for it to the extreme. Respect is sought for not only the individual, but also for one's set or gang, family, territory, and various other things, real or perceived in the mind of the "gangbanger".

(3) RETALIATION/REVENGE. It must be understood that in gang culture, no challenge goes unanswered. Many times, drive-by shootings and other acts of violence follow an event perceived as dis. A common occurrence is a confrontation between a gang set and single rival "gangbanger." Outnumbered, he departs the area and returns with his "homeboys" to complete the confrontation to keep his reputation intact.

East Coast represents LA gang orientation. "Cuzz" is a term of endearment used by Crips to address each other. Substituting dollar signs for the S's indicates that this gang is selling narcotics.

There are also several all female gangs who have their own reputations that are as ferocious as any of the male gangs. Male gang members privately have even expressed fear of several of the ladies of the female gangs.

Experts say of the 600,000 to 950,000 gang members in the United States, female gangs make up between 10 and 15 percent. Although many female gangs serve as auxiliaries to male gangs, there has been a surge of female gangs that operate on their own. Because female gang members believe they must prove themselves to their male counterparts, they will use extreme violence against other female gangs or, in some rare instances, against male gangs. So they are just as dangerous.

When should a parent begin to take steps to combat the gang problem?

NOW. Some parents, either through ignorance or denial, find out their son or daughter is in a gang when they get a phone call from a police department, hospital, or morgue. A child's getting into a gang is not an overnight decision. Parents should look, listen, and turn their awareness up a notch. Look at what your child is wearing, whom he or she is associating with, and whether there is an overall change in attitude towards you or life in general. Listen to what your child says, and especially to what others say. Many parents turn a deaf ear or bristle when they hear from neighbors, other parents, and school personnel that their child may be in a gang. Your child may present him- or she one way in your presence, and have a totally hidden gang life outside the home. Ignorance is no excuse. Look for the signs and then address the issue. Solicit help from others, and then take control. It can be done.

Here are a few clues to look out for if you feel your son or daughter is involved in gangs. The following list is not exhaustive and should not be looked at as a "guarantee" that your loved one is or is not involved in gang activities. The only way to know is to talk to your son or daughter.

Person:
1. Is obsessed with particular clothing of logo's over another such as consistently wearing one color of clothing and refusing to wear certain others.
2. Withdraws from family and/or attitude change.
3. Wears excessive jewelry with distinctive designs worn on either the right or left.
4. Develops associations with gang members or admits to gang involvement
5. Breaks parental rules consistently.
6. Has an obsession with the gangster lifestyle such as music, videos and movies.
7. Acquires goods and/or cash with little or no explanation.
8. Has peculiar drawings or language on clothing, books or on the body in the form of tattoos.
9. Shows signs of drug or alcohol use accompanied with an attitude change.
10. Becomes secretive about activities.

If any of these signs are present, do not conclude that your son or daughter is involved in gangs, instead talk to them to determine whether or not they are involved in gangs and at what level. We can provide warning signs to look out for, but only by communicating with your son or daughter will you know for sure. Open those lines of communication up! You just might become closer in the process!

This is a unique series of books written by Stanley “Tookie” Williams, the co-founder of the infamous Los Angeles gang, the Crips. Mr. Williams is currently on death row at San Quentin State Prison for crimes he committed as a gang member. Mr. Williams wishes to reach out to children with his series of books on gangs so they can avoid the mistakes he has made.

Gangs and Wanting to Belong: Tookie Speaks Out Against Violence
”Tookie” Williams

Young, Black, and Male in America : An Endangered Species

Gangs and the Abuse of Power

Gangs and Self-Esteem (Williams, Stanley. Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence.)

Gangs and Your Friends

Reference Links For Further Information
· Gangs or Us
A great site by Robert Walker of South Carolina.
· Gang Links
A link to tons of sites.
· Blowback Productions of New York
Producers of the HBO Special - Gangwar: Bangin' in Little Rock.
· Connect for Kids
An in-depth site providing Guidance for Grown-Ups
· Gangs in Los Angeles
A good link from the Los Angeles area that is not sponsored by an official agency. Very well researched.
· CNN - "Youth gangs no longer just a big city problem"
A good CNN story.
· Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
A link to great information from the justice department.
· The Last Street Fighter

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