GangAffiliation_LaTrell Wood

Volume 1, Issue 1

Friday Febuary 22, 2013

That Life A n

i n f o r m a l M a g a z i n e o n G a n g V i o l e n c e L a T r e l l C l i f f o r d W o o d

A re The average high school student at Shades Valley High school or JCIB has heard or said the notorious saying “You Aint about that life”, which refers to the “thug life”. The thug life, glorified in some ways, evolves a relentless fight for money, with out a care about from where it came, and a loss of individuality in the search for love. Jessica, 21, Former member of the Black Disciples, warns youth saying "You need to find something else better to do to occupy your time because the streets don't love you, they just take you away from the people who do" Are you willing to loose your self

Yo u

Ab o u t

T h a t

searching for a love in all the wrong places? Rival gang member, Dre, 20, A member of the Black P Stones says “This don’t make me happy.

You think I want to stand on

the corner & sell drugs to other black folks, and destroy my community for some petty *** money?”. He refers to this “thug life” as “a type of hell for victims and victimizers.”. Are you willing to loose your humanity,

b y

L i f e ? living “that life”? Jessica talks about her life saying “every day I walk out of my house, going to school, I’m in fear of what can happen to me. Not knowing if I’m going to make it back home or not. That eats up my soul every day.”. Are you willing to give up your way of life and security for that “petty money” and street love? Is that the kind of legacy you want to leave? Do you want to be remembered as a scared little gang banger, with no purpose but sex, drugs and money?

H o w c a n w h e r e a n d h o w y o u l i v e e f f e c t y o u r c h a n c e s o f b e c o m i n g g a n g a f f i l i a t e d ?

Where a child lives has a large effect on whether or not a child becomes involved in gang life. Living in urban areas increases the chances of a child becoming involved in gang activities. Living in impoverished areas, full of un-

employment, that lackmeaningful jobs can put your child at larger risk of becoming influenced by gangs (Curry and Thomas, 1992; Fagan, 1990; Hagedorn, 1988, 1991; Huff, 1990; Vigil, 1988).

Race wise, Sadly, minority children of any house hold demographic are more likely to become gang affiliated, than Caucasian children that come from a two-parent home. All these factors are cumulative to your child's risk of joining a gang.

That Life

Page 2

Characteristics Potential gang members display specific characteristics.

Priory I stated that females with a low amount of commitment to school are more likely to become involved in gangs.

It has also been found that who children choose to associate with is a key factor in their potential risk of gang affiliation. Children who associate with their antisocial peers over prosocial peers are more likely to join gangs.

These are symbols associated with the Folk nation Gangs.

Lack of identity and stability are more determining factors in children’s chance of becoming associated with a gang. An example of that would be the previously introduced, Black P Stones member, Dre. When it comes to reason to join a gang Dre says “I joined a gang to make my name well known, and do something.

Just make my name known somewhere” this shows his

for Potential wishes to have some sort of identity to the world.

If your child, a friend, or a family member, shows these characteristics, as well as tendency to resolve conflicts with threats, they may be subject to gang affiliation.

These are symbols associated with the Peoples nation Gangs.

Girls Police records state that about 90% of gang members are male, but research proves that to be incorrect. Recent studies show that about 34% of gang members are females, and though it is stereotyped that females involved in gangs are either tomboys or sex object, it is

Hand

in

Gangs

proven wrong in Latina Members, who generally join as rebellion against the suppressive box to which they are categorized to be the quiet oppressed “wifey” type. A significant increased risk factor lies with in commitment to education. Research shows that girls with a

Signs

low commitment to school are more likely to be involved in gangs.

Volume 1, Issue 1

Page 3

No

Hope?

Professionals believe that prevention strategies should target the afflicted and those at risk to be effected. Just like with a virus, this belief states take healthful precautionary steps to prevent the onset of gang affiliation, and treat the afflicted. The large question is what if gang affiliation is more like a genetic syndrome? What if you can only treat the symptoms? The gunshot wounds in hospitals, the violent acts with jail time. What if in the end all we can do is slow the already onset outcome, death? Well there are positive outlets and alternatives proven to be effective, like Homeboy Industries. Their strategies include efforts that focus on environmental factors and the provision of improved opportunities.

Something Today, about 10 to 30% of gang population is Caucasian. It can be assumed that some of this population makes up gangs like the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK can be considered part of the roots and origin of the growth of gangs, and is still considered a gang threat today. Minority gangs can say they have

Like

the

nothing in common with the Ku Klux Klan, but in the end both have the same goals.

Protection of territory and lifestyle from their rivals, any people that were not part of the 'supremacy'. So why be categorized as the present day KKK? Think before you turn to the streets for answers, because in the

KKK

and It will turn you into what you hate. A supressor.

Dealing With

Threats

In most states, written threats of bodily harm to a person constitutes a second degree felony, but if you have recieved a threat of any form, contact the police immediatly. Especially if you feel your safety is at jepardy. Also if you have wittenessed a crime, contact the police or your state witness protection services. In doing so you can prevent future threats and violence towards your self, your community, and society.

HELP FOR THE AFFLICTED

C o n t a c t

H o m e b o y :

Home Boy Industries offers: 

Tattoo Removal



Employment services



Case Management

Hours:Monday – Friday 9:00 AM. – 5:00 PM



Mental health, Substance abuse, and Domestic violence services

Email :homeboysilkscreen@homeboyindustries.org



Curriculum and Education

Address: 1320 S. Santa Fe Ave Phone:(213) 623-7955 During Hours: (213) 623-1574

Hope and Oppurtunity for recently Incarcerated Men and Women