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Has Gang Culture Overtaken Our Kids? (Armed & Dangerous)

Posted by NWSO • October 25, 2010 • Printer-friendly

I’m not dumb. I know that gangs are nothing new for New York. As a kid, I always heard about the Decepticons, CBS (Can’t Be Stopped) and FAP (Franklin Ave Posse), and later on about the Latin Kings & Queens. Even still, I felt like what was going on my side of the map was much different than what was going on in California with the Bloods and the Crips. It was like Fredro Starr said on Onyx’s “Walk in New York,” “We don’t throw gang signs in New York/We just be on some sh*t in New York…”

I’m not sure when or how, but around the time I was in college (mid-90s) that all changed. I specifically remember hearing reports of random slashings going on as part of gang initiation. People were warned to not sit near the door on the train, as attackers were known to slash distracted passengers right before the doors closed. I also recall receiving an email/text a few years ago saying how it was gang initiation week and women should be careful because rapes were part of the pledge process.

It was clear that I could no longer keep up the false belief that New York was relatively “gang-free.” Worst yet, some of the most notorious ones were now in my backyard—literally. In fact, I saw an article in New York magazine called “The New Gangs of New York” that broke down the biggest gang factions in the five boroughs. Turns out I’m on the fringe of Crip territory.

The current criminal underworld is characterized not by the Mafia dons and heroin kings of yesteryear but by a chaotic universe of warring, decentralized ganglets. And the members are less likely to be battle-hardened parolees than “puppies,” adolescent gangbangers who are too young to have a driver’s license but who are committing violent crimes at alarming levels. “A few years ago, you would see kids 19, 20 years old,” says one NYPD veteran who works the gang beat in Harlem. “Now these kids are babies—15, 14—and they are vicious. They will shoot you in a heartbeat and not think twice about it.”

So who are they? And where are they? “Everywhere,” says Michael Hines, a gang mediator at the city-funded Council for Unity. “It’s not like the old days, where you had Bloods and Crips and there was a political ideology. These kids just get together, call themselves whatever.” But with so many crews and cliques—Money Over Bitches, Vatos Locos, 40 Wolves, Gun Clappin Goonies, Get Money Boys, From Da Zoo, the New Dons, 28 Gunnaz, Stack Money Family, and so on—it’s hard for even the most connected gangbanger to keep everybody straight.

—Geoffrey Gray, New York Magazine

I recently saw an example of how these new age gangbangers operate in a six-minute video clip. On a rainy day in a school playground, several Crip members—I know this because they call out their set and identify themselves for the one filming—question one of their own about a fight that took place that he didn’t jump in. Apparently he doesn’t understand the code of loyalty and gets ambushed by his “brothers.” The 8 to 1 beat down starts with a sucker punch that spirals into a flurry of punches and kicks to the head until one of them feels he’s had enough.

But the humiliation doesn’t end there. After announcing that the kid ain’t Crip no more, the main antagonist demands that the kid roll around in the dirt/mud like a pig before he gets beat up some more. The kid complies while the cameraman turns the lens to himself to give a shout out to the rest of his homies, while another member asks for him to send a copy of the footage to his phone.

A few days later, I was shocked to discover that the same gang members had uploaded yet another assault on camera in the same exact location. This time it was a girl getting jumped in.

It starts off with the cameraman filming the same spot where the last kid had to roll in the dirt and says, “I know y’all know this area,” and laughs. Once they’re in position and the rules are set (“no grabbin’”), the girl squares off against one of the smaller dudes. They go blow for blow until the girl gets hit with a square punch to the face and she stops to compose herself.

#BadMove

With her hands down and back down, the dude lets off another roundhouse punch to her face, causing her to hunch over and leaving herself wide open for a vicious uppercut—two actually. The end result is a pool of blood on the ground in front of her and her face smeared with her own blood thanks to a possible broken nose. The victor walks off with the cameraman singing their version of “Lean on Me.”

SMFH!

I can’t say I was surprised by the initial footage because it’s been long documented that gangs use beat downs, even to their own, as a way of maintaining “order,” but I was disgusted by the girl going one-on-one with a guy. Seriously, what kind of “man” fights with a woman to prove how tough he is and then boasts about leaving her bloodied? A better question is why would someone subject themselves to that? And not to get into the ugly girl vs. pretty girl debate again, but I wonder if the girl had been “cuter” would they would have gone so hard on her.

It’s dumb to me either way.

Then there’s the fact they recorded both incidents, showed their faces on camera, shouted out their names and returned to the scene of the crime. It’s kinda like when O-Dog in Menace II Society not only kept the security camera footage of him robbing a liquor store and murdering the storeowner but showed it to all his friends around the way—including F*ggot Ass Chauncey, who later mailed a copy to the cops.

I just don’t get why people who do illegal acts choose to record it and post it on the Internet. It’s like they’re begging the police to track them down and arrest them. But I guess this is what happens when we live in a celebrity-driven society, where everyone wants to be famous. It’s like a few online hits make them think they’re superstars in the ’hood, but trust that the police are watching. In fact, there was some up-and-coming rapper that got arrested a few weeks ago after he was talking reckless on Twitter about beating a murder case and talking about guns. Guess e-thugs have no clue about self-incrimination.

I pray for the future generation and I feel sorry for their mothers.

What are your thoughts on the increased gang activity amongst our youth today? Are you surprised by how violent many of the kids are now? What would you do if you found out your child had joined a gang? What of you saw your child committing a crime online? Would you turn them in? Do you find that the kids today are more dangerous and violent than ever? Do you feel like lacks gun and drug legislation plays a role? Do you think that people who film themselves committing a crime are just asking to be arrested? Do you agree that everyone’s fascination with celebrity leads to the trend of taping everything? Do you feel like the kids today are lost?

Speak your piece…

Tagged as: bloods, crips, Decepticons, Franklin Ave Posse, gangs, initiation, Latin Kings

Webb

I have to admit these kids really do go hard. I use to work in an establishment where a lot of young teens would hang out. I've had to be the one to break up a fight or two between some teen boys, and while it was dangerous for me to be around them like that, they always backed down when my little self broke them up and started fussing because I was a female so I guess they have SOME common sense.

I work with children. I use to do summer camps, after schools, but now I work in an elementary school (with kindergarteners to be exact) and i'm so glad I can make an impact on them early. I'm young, i'm in my early 20's so they connect with me on this level that I love. Most of the kids view me as big sister or just someone to hold their hand when walking. A lot of people talk about these kids but not too many are doing anything about it.

The links you have up, i'm guessing lead to watching the video clips made by these gang members, I'm not even going to click on those. You describing them were too much for me.

I do think todays kids are lost. And this whole internet thing is out of control. I remember watching a talk show and this young girl had been video taping her fights with other girls and putting them on YouTube. When the host asked her why she said because it made her feel she had control over something, it made her feel like if she put those videos out there no one else would mess with her. I understoof her reasons but their logic is all off and they don't yet understand the power of the internet.
Syreeta

My only wish is that horrible, irresponsible people will stop making babies!
http://www.dashofreality.wordpress.com Dash

Webb, MUCH respect to you for shaping young minds because it is VERY true, you HAVE to get them young. I think we who know better have a responsibility to be the example and show the youth there is better way for them. Unfortunately it is harder when they are older and have already headed down the wrong path. Sad.
Preachthecomedian

To me gangs have not increased. It's ALWAYS been crews or hoods that rep real hard. Nowadays we know more due to the web. Unfortuantly in alot of these hoods being by yourself is quick way to get killed. The main problem though is the yg's aren't being educated by the og's. The young guns just don't listen. Like everybody wanna be the killer but nobody wants to count money. STOP the mandatory min with drug charges and u may see a change
bogart4017

I don't wish to sound cynical but the violence doesnt surprise me due to the culture we are living in today. I have seen some vicious beatdowns (especially in Brookln)--i'm talking about the kind you only see in the movies. How vicious and heartless can you be to "Timberland stomp" someone right in the middle of Lafayette Avenue while cars roll by. Not one cop available. 7:30 in the morning?
Ayanna

I'm not surprised at all, where I grew up we rearranged our furniture so the couch wasn't facing the window if shots came through. We couldn't wear certain colors, and in my neighborhood a toddler was shot for wearing blue. Most of these crimes were happening by young kids back then (early 90s) so I am not shocked at all.

What happened is the usual gangs had to stop identifying themselves as such because they were getting harsher criminal penalties if the crimes were gang related. So then the gangs became smaller and didn't use the well known colors that could get them extra jail time.

It's sad, and oftentimes it comes down to a lack of family. Hopefully it gets better, but I'm not holding my breath.
Arie Rich

Wow, amazing post. I too refuse to click on the links u posted for the fear of watching what u described.

I was in HS in the mid 90s, HS in BK, and trust me, what u've described at the beginning i lived it. Going to HS was scary, rival gang from other HS would come beat the kids at my HS, kids carrying gillette under their tongues, cheeks etc. Slashes on the trains, it was no joke. There was a time we couldn't wear certain colors and ride on the trains. And if u did make sure u hid it well.

I fear for these kids now, back in the days people fought, now they get shot or stabbed, death comes rather quickly, it's not bout hurting you anymore but bout killing you.
It is sad!!
Rastaman

Being a long way from my own teen years, I am not as intimate with youth culture as I use to be. I have nephews who fall into the age range of most of these perpetrators but luckily they are in an environment where gangs are more the exception than the rule. Violence however I do know intimately, I have seen it up close and personal and I have seen what it does to people physically and mentally. Violence is primary expression of the disaffected!!

Those who feel themselves most alienated and disconnected from the social mainstream will be the primary recruitment for gangs and embrace the violence that comes with that lifestyle. The fact that many of these kids now post evidence of their exploits online is not surprising, not smart but in a world where reputations are built on brutality, social media is just as effective as word on the street.

I agree that gangs whether organized or loosely affiliated as always being part of any urban neighborhood. But Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings or MS-13 are all psuedo families, a refuge for many who lack the benefit of a close family or strong communities. They get into these gangs because the gangs offer them an identity not otherwise available in their environment. What kid does not want to be known for something?

You will not see too many kids with progressive future options or solid families getting beaten up to belong to something. But we send the message all the time about being a part of something larger than yourself. Gangs no matter how dysfunctional they may appear to be offer that to many kids because there aren't any better offers being made available to them.

Plus you get to be hard and the harder you are the less likely anyone will be to fck with you or yours. I know that...
da ThRONe

I dont know if you where being sarcastic when you said "I feel sorry for their mothers" because I blame their mothers. Ofcourse it doesnt stop there.

Until we realize we are all in life together and start holding the proper people responisible we are all failures.
Shayla

I think it's reckless to blame just the mothers. Some of these kids grow up in fatherless homes (and motherless homes) and are sometimes raised by their grandparents if they were to be so lucky. The kids that roam the streets causing problems are just doing what they see other older guys (or girls) who they look up to doing and because those older guys and girls didn't have parental guidance, it's like the blind leading the blind. The streets and TV can't be babysitters but it is to some kids and that seems to be the root problem. The community reacts by being fearful which is what those kids want. City officials instead of curing the problem puts a bandaid on it by adding more cops to patrol street corners. That does nothing for the problem. These kids aren't taught how to be remorseful or compassionate and those are lessons that need to taught not only by their parents, their families, and the community. It's selfish really on all of our parts. It's a shame that in this country we don't adopt the "it takes a village to raise a child" moto because if we did, we wouldn't be having these problems. The thought that it's not your kid therefore its not your problem is a silly belief because one rotten apple can ruin it for the entire bunch as been proven time and time again with kids killing kids.
Starita34

I appreciate that you address issues like this Anslem.

The whole thing makes me sad and I really have no worthwhile input. But I appreciate you talking about the difficult subjects. I wish that I had an answer outside of the way that I will raise *my* children, but I just don't.
Shannon

You know, this is something I never thought about, even during my own adolescence; I've always lived in an area where gangs were virtually unheard of, but there was always some hothead who wanted to prove how "hard" and "tough" he was by joining up. They never lasted more than a day or two because they watched too many movies and thought gangbanging was supposed to be glamorous and without consequences. One learned that lesson too late after being caught in the crossfire of a shootout.

Most of these young people are looking for guidance but don't know where to find it, so they turn to gangs and end up doing humiliating things or taking orders from someone a few years older or even younger than themselves and they're not going to find what they need with a gang.

For the most part, I don't blame the mothers for their children ending up in gangs. Most young gangbangers are from single-parent homes and those homes are usually headed by single mothers who have to work two jobs and catch the bus and do laundry at the Laundromat and sit in the welfare office for hours to get the food stamps and other aid she needs to make it from day to day and keep up the house and the bills and cook the meals and buy the clothes and keep the children on the right track in school...notice what's missing? Where are the damn daddies when they need one? Mamas can't do everything, but they always get the blame because mamas are there everyday raising the children and so she is responsible for how they turn out.

A lot of times, Mama can do everything in her power to keep her children on the right track, but sometimes they just don't want to go that way. I mean, they see Mama come home to a shitty apartment in the ghetto, exhausted after working two jobs and never having the money for what they need and because she has to work two jobs or work and go to school, the children are left to look after themselves. But if Mama stays home and collects welfare so she can look after them, she's not setting a good example. Mama can't win for losing.

I know in some cases, gang life is the only life especially in a place where you have to come off as tough and unbending; otherwise people will give you a hard time and harass and bully you for not standing up to the bullshit. IMO young people of today place too high a premium on being tough and feared, which is why they never rise above their current station. Most of them end up dead, in jail, forever confined to a wheelchair, a drag on society and totally unemployable. Then they complete the cycle by having more children and then those children grow up to do the same.

I remember once when I had a cousin on my mother's side come up to me at a family reunion years ago. He was talking about how they shot up someone's house because they wouldn't cough up the cash or some stupid shit like that and how he had to bust a dude in the mouth for disrespecting him. I remember listening to him ramble on and then I asked him how was he doing and he rattled off a laundry list of crimes, charges and jail/prison stints. So I looked at him and said, without thinking about it, "Damn, you haven't done shit with your life, man. Doesn't it bother you that you can never get a decent job, if any job, or that you will never have a car or place to call your own?" He looked at me and said, "Cuz, I will always have what I need in life, so don't worry about me." I said, "It looks like I have to because what can you say you've accomplished in your life?" He looked at me. "My mama was too busy for me, always at work or school, always on my case about finishing school and going to college and shit. My old man just walked out when I was three and never looked back. Now that sonofabitch has a big house and driving a Lexus while me and my mama living like pigs in the projects. Even taking him to court didn't do shit because he gets paid off the books. Whatever. I do what I gotta do." I shook my head, unable to believe stupidity of such width and breadth. I asked him, "So what does that mean? 'I got to get mine, so I'ma take yours?'Because that's exactly what you're doing. You sit back and wait for someone to work for something and then you come along and take what they've worked so hard for because you fucked up your chance at life and can't get a job to do it for yourself." He stood and shouted, "And why should I get a job? So I can be a chump like you and my mama? Always taking shit off somebody to make sure you have a job everyday? Working to make someone else rich?" I was silent and then I responded, "No, to give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment, so when someone asks you about your new car or the money in your pocket, you don't have to lie and hide. You can hold your head up and look them in the eye." He said, "Yeah, like a chump," and I said, "No, like a person who has accomplished the same end as you, only without having to resort to crime or transgress the law to do it. When I'm in my car, out shopping or I have large amounts of cash on me, I don't have to hide or worry about how I got it because I have a legitimate job that pays me enough to get what I want. Every time a police cruiser rolls by you, you panic and sweat and run and hide. I don't have to do that and neither do you if you would do things the right way. Otherwise all you're doing is proving some very damaging stereotypes about black people anyway." He got mad and stormed off, but my aunt told me later that he thought about what I'd said and decided to go straight; he enrolled in the GED program, got his GED and went to college and she gave him start-up money for his own business, but he was robbed, shot and almost killed by one of the guys he used to run with in the gangs. He now mentors young people at risk for joining gangs to show them there is another way. He had to learn the hard way, but at least he learned.

I think most of them just want to be famous; these days you can be famous for just about anything: crime, porn, heroic acts, talent, whatever and fame is what young people have been driven to attain from day one. To be famous at any cost is often what gets them caught and unable to refute evidence of the committing of a crime because they recorded it and identified themselves. At least the police don't have to do much work in capturing these bandits.
Danielle

I was sooooo fortunate going up in the South Bronx in the '80's-90's. I didn't see any of that. I also I didn't hang out with anyone affiliated with that. I grew up giving that a wide berth due to members of my family that as involved with that life. Thugs ain't never been sexy to me. Cause again, I remember the shit that went down. Running back in the house when a car drove too slowly down the street, gunshots. I'm good. And people ask me why I leave where I live? This article is exactly why. I am NOT moving until my youngest son graduated high school. I probably won't even move then. I like being and feeling safe. I refuse to have my kids grow around that hot ass ghetto mess. In my opinion those children and parents are a plague that needs to be wiped out. Just start all over from scratch. Nothing will be accomplished with them running around ruining life for everyone around them. My siblings and I grew up without my dad being there and not one of us got involved on all that craziness. So I don't know what going on but it needs to stop. Someone needs to get a hold of it before NYC ends up like Chicago or Philly.
Jussayin

Bill Bennett said, the crime rate would drop if more black babies were aborted... Way harsh but is he completely incorrect?
RCTuri

People were just saying how they need more police presence on that side of BK. A hair salon was just held up over in Clinton Hill. Not far from that side of Lafayette.
Jessica J

those videos made me cry. I try so hard to be an example for not only people my age, but those younger and older than me. But one light doesn't shine as bright as 10. All I can try to do is do my best to set the standard for young men and women, and hope by the time I do, and I can help at least one.
Older & Wiser

I am disturbed by the gang violence and the apathy displayed by people when it's brought up for discussion. It seems like the impotence that is causes is virally contagious and we need to be REALLY shocked before we react, SMH. That last photo about the girl having to choose how she wanted to be raped made me grit my teeth, how can we read this and not be moved?
Lyndon

These kids are simply looking for their fathers or the very least, a father-figure. It's very simple. It's cyclical because these are the same teens that will father endless kids and NEVER take responsiblity for any of them.

But the cycle does not end there either. Because teen girls in that environment will seek out the "Bad Boy" type only to become a statistic themselves. Good people in their eyes are seen as "weak".

The cycle isn't over yet. It spills into middle culture too, where mothers are ill-equipped to raise children. The lack of strong male figures lead these young women to seek out the same "bad boy" mentioned above. And the boys from these families get things crossed up because they leave their element to become something theyre not. And it all streams from one issue.... Fathers not being strong positive figures within their families.
http://nwso.net/ NWSO

Was in reference to the line from Menace II Society that set O-Dog off to commit the murder/robbery. C'mon Tron
QuoteMan

I think it’s irresponsible in thought to criticize without understanding. It’s always disheartening to see such young lives go to waste, but we can’t dismiss the circumstances that influence this behavior, and subsequently conducing to this kind of lifestyle. These are misguided kids, who inherited what was bequeathing to them. In time, with no sense of purpose in life, they seek some sense of identity, acceptance and recognition, and become susceptible to anything that would fulfill that.

In some cases, it’s a vicious cycle; in others, well, let’s say idle hands are the devils playground.