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(You will need to have FLASH loaded to hear the audio) "the way i got jumped in was i had to save larry and do a six penny pickup while they beat me while i tride to pick up the six pennies off the ground Tray and Sackman and Sleepy wrapped their rags around their fists and when my girl called time on the stop watch they hit me in my face and all over and beat my ass for 60 seconds i hit Sackman in the face and ripped out Oteeses ear ring and busted Tray in the jaw they got me in my stomach and chest lots but i didn't fall down then my girl called time and they stopped and all gave me hugs and shook my hand and i felt loved." ...interview with gang youth Prior to the 1960s, most Americans knew that street gangs existed, but considered them to be simply a group of people who associated together, somewhat recreationally, as did the comedic 'Our Gang' and the 'Bowery Boys' as presented in the black and white movie shorts and early television. From America's earliest years, wave after wave of an increasing influx of foreign immigrants poured into the country and settled in crowded urban areas, creating ethnic dissension and increased competition for education, jobs, and a share of the new country's bounty. Uneducated, facing prejudice at every turn, and unable to find social, cultural, or economic success--and lacking access to meaningful employment--many young people found their lives filled with boredom, frustration, hopelessness, and poverty. It is small wonder that many of them ended up on the streets in large numbers, and by the 19th century had formed gangs that specialized in criminal activity and perpetuated themselves through new recruits. By the early 1800's, many of the most vicious adult street gangs had organized along ethnic and political lines. Years of corruption in city government and attendant intensification of urban problems immediately preceding the Civil War contributed to the rapid increase of criminal street gangs that formed in order to protect ethnic neighborhoods. By the early 1990's, gang migration had reached the point that 25% of small communities surveyed reported having gang members enrolled in their schools. There are more than 25,000 gangs with a total of more than 800,000 gang members in the continental United States. California has the most gang members; Texas ranks second, and Illinois is third. Gang membership is especially attractive to young girls with low self-esteem who, having suffered various forms of abuse, neglect, and sexual molestation, can abuse others with impunity and applause from the gang. The role of the girl gangster - the g-male - is changing as more and more gangs proliferate. The female gang associates and members are younger, tougher, and more violent, often exceeding their male gang counterparts. Anxious to prove themselves and their worth to the gangs, female recruits often use extreme violence against victims, other female associates, and on occasion even male gang members. Girls usually start their gang association in the belief that others will "respect" (fear) them for this relationship. However, they soon learn that gang members use girls mainly for sex, as admiring and applauding audiences for male gang members deeds of derring-do, and as 'mules' to carry drugs and weapons. Many female associates become hard-core drug abusers and prostitutes. <<< CLICK ON THE GUNS FOR ANOTHER VIOLENCE FACT Most gang members are not concerned with the implications of their illegal actions; they live in the present, have no goals or future plans beyond the scope of their gang's activities. Additionally, their criminal behavior and defiance of parents, teachers, and society as a whole earn them the approval and respect of their delinquent peers. In the gang they find the success that they could not experience in school. |
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DISTURBING
CHANGES IN MAJOR INFLUENCES
ON AMERICAN TEENAGERS |
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1950
-1960
1. Family 2. Church 3. School 4. Peers 5. Media |
1990
- 2000
1. Media 2. Peers 3. Family 4. School 5. Church |
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street gang develops its own hand signs, a non-verbal system of communication
which is used for identification or to challenge, insult, and show disrespect
for other gangs and non-gang individuals, particularly law enforcement
personnel.
Gang graffiti is used by gangs as an informal bulletin board or newsletter to:
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AND IT'S COMING YOUR WAY! |
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