Difference between revisions of "Gang" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | A '''gang''' is a group of individuals who share a common identity and, in current usage, engage in illegal activities. Historically the term referred to both criminal groups and ordinary groups of friends, such as [[Our Gang]]. | + | A '''gang''' is a group of individuals who share a common identity and, in current usage, engage in illegal activities. Historically the term referred to both criminal groups and ordinary groups of friends, such as [[Our Gang]]. |
Some commentators use "gang" to refer to small, informal, and disorganized "street gangs", while "[[syndicate]]" or "[[organized crime]]" are used to refer to larger, more powerful organizations, such as the [[Italian-American]] [[Mafia]], which may control entire legitimate businesses as "[[front organization|fronts]]" for their illegal operations, bringing in millions of dollars per year. | Some commentators use "gang" to refer to small, informal, and disorganized "street gangs", while "[[syndicate]]" or "[[organized crime]]" are used to refer to larger, more powerful organizations, such as the [[Italian-American]] [[Mafia]], which may control entire legitimate businesses as "[[front organization|fronts]]" for their illegal operations, bringing in millions of dollars per year. | ||
The word "gang" generally appears in a pejorative context, though within "the gang" itself members may adopt the phrase in proud [[Identity (social science)|identity]] or defiance. | The word "gang" generally appears in a pejorative context, though within "the gang" itself members may adopt the phrase in proud [[Identity (social science)|identity]] or defiance. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Gangs have a disturbingly prominent place in history. The Roman orator [[Cicero]] spoke of groups of armed youths. 17th century England was terrorized by the Mohocks. Gangs played a role in America's [[Revolutionary War]], as armed patriots terrorized loyalists [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-255263/gang]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Most American cities have some history of gang violence, which often had profound effects on the political climate and later development in general. Early in America's history, politicians were often involved. These politicians funded gangs to be used in violent acts against political opponents. In [[New York]], many gangs were centered in the infamous [[Five Points]] region, and included the [[Bowery Boys]], the [[Shirt Tails]], and the [[Dead Rabbits]]. Aside from their regular practice of regularly killing innocent people for money, the most notorious singular violent act committed by these gangs was the [[New York Draft Riots]] of 1863. Gang members commonly used [[club (weapon)|blackjacks]], lead pipes and daggers. Gang members could often be identified by the large [[plug hats]] that they would wear pulled down over their ears, usually stuffed with paper and rags to mitigate blows from attackers. In [[San Francisco]], one of the largest and most influential gangs was the [[Sydney Ducks]], which consisted of mostly immigrants from [[Australia]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Gangs are not a strictly American phenomenon, as gang violence occurs everywhere from South America to Europe. | ||
==Gang activities== | ==Gang activities== | ||
| − | + | Gangs often take over territory or "[[turf]]" in a particular [[city]]. Some gangs provide "protection", which is often a thin cover for [[extortion]]. The "protection" is usually from the gang itself. Since roughly the [[1970s]], street gangs have been strongly connected with [[psychoactive drug|drug]] sales (especially [[crack cocaine]]). Statisticians believe that gangs were responsible for some two-fifths of illegal drug sales in America [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-255263/gang]. Some commit [[burglary|burglaries]], [[theft|car theft]], and [[robbery|armed robbery]]. Many gangs use [[front organization|fronts]] to demonstrate influence and gain revenue in a particular area. These clandestine bases may include [[restaurants]], [[bar (establishment)|bars]], [[casinos]], race tracks, [[strip clubs]], or other business. | |
| + | |||
| + | Gangs often spread by a parent or family moving out of the gang neighborhood, and the children taking the gang culture and lore with them to a new area and recruiting new members for their old gang. This concept has been referred to as ''satellite'' gangs. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Gang violence=== | ||
| + | '''Gang violence''' refers to mostly those illegal and non-political acts of [[violence]] perpetrated by [[gangs]] against innocent people, property, or other [[gangs]]. Throughout history, such acts have been committed by gangs at all levels of organization, social class, and [[race]]. The idea that one particular race is more often responsible for gang violence is readily shown to be a fiction by a brief historical examination. | ||
| − | + | ===Gang warfare=== | |
| + | '''Gang warfare''' is the conflict between opposing gangs. | ||
| − | + | Gang warfare is commonly held over turf boundary disputes, the takeover of an area in order to bring in [[narcotics]] to push on the streets, personal rivalries, or simply the fact that the opposing group is different in some way. Gang warfare takes a huge toll on cities, families, and communities involved, especially many cities in South/Central America and South Africa where the levels of gang violence have long since dwarfed even American cities. | |
==Gang members== | ==Gang members== | ||
Individual members of gangs may be referred to as [[gangster]]s, gangstas, or "[[wikt:gangbanger|gangbanger]]s". | Individual members of gangs may be referred to as [[gangster]]s, gangstas, or "[[wikt:gangbanger|gangbanger]]s". | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | "The U.S. government estimated that at the turn of the 21st century nearly half of all gang members in the country were Hispanic, about one-third were African American, about one-eighth were white, and about one-twentieth were Asian. Research has consistently indicated that fewer than one-tenth of gang members are female, though some surveys suggested that females account for more than one-fourth of gang membership. Few gangs, however, are female dominated. About two-fifths of gang members are under the age of 17, and almost nine-tenths are under 25 [The U.S. government estimated that at the turn of the 21st century nearly half of all gang members in the country were Hispanic, about one-third were African American, about one-eighth were white, and about one-twentieth were Asian. Research has consistently indicated that fewer than one-tenth of gang members are female, though some surveys suggested that females account for more than one-fourth of gang membership. Few gangs, however, are female dominated. About two-fifths of gang members are under the age of 17, and almost nine-tenths are under 25.]." Research shows a strong correlation between gang membership and family dysfunction. Many gang members come from families with histories of drug abuse or domestic violence. | |
| − | + | Entry into a gang often entails being "jumped in", where other members beat up the recruit in order to test his dedication. Sometimes the recruit may be given a crime to commit (robbery, rape, or murder) as another route of entry. Often, the decision to join a gang is purely practical, where the danger of being unaffiliated, and thus unprotected, outweighs the risks of membership. Unfortunately, this perpetuates a vicious cycle, only contributing to the violence and corruption of a neighborhood. Other temptations to join a gang also exist: money, drugs, power, and pride for the neighborhood. Although the gang's very existence harms the community, members take great pride in "defending" their local turf. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Once in the gang, the recruit is now a member of the street family, and any offense towards him or any of his brethren will be retaliated against strongly by the gang. They are often given nicknames, partially to prevent their identity from being revealed to law enforcement, but also to denote their rank within the gang. Younger members may start out performing minor crimes, working their way up within the organization, building their reputation through criminal acts. Most members retain their gang affiliations when sent to prison (see [[prison gang]]). Usually the member is affiliated for life, with two unfavorable options for exiting the gang: one, he may be killed; two, he may desert the gang, essentially forfeiting his life if any of the gang should see him again. | |
| − | + | ==Examples of Gangs== | |
| − | + | Some very well known gangs are the California-based [[Crips]] and [[Bloods]], or the [[Sureños]] and [[Norteños]]. Other large gangs include the [[White supremacist|white power]] gang [[Nazi Low Riders]], or NLR, the [[Latin Kings]], the [[Gangster Disciples]] of [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], the [[Vice Lords]], the [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]-based [[18th Street gang]], and the [[Jamaican Posses]]. In the 1980s, other gangs, such as the [[Central America]]n gang named [[Mara Salvatrucha]] (MS-13), the Miami based [[International Posse]] or In/p and the Cambodian gangs [[Tiny Raskal Gang]] (TRG). | |
| − | |||
| − | + | [[Outlaw motorcycle club]]s—or "criminal biker gangs" (as prosecutors call them)—are, above all, groups who ride their motorcycles together; however, they may also be involved in criminal enterprises. The largest is [[Hells Angels]] with 227 chapters in the United States and 29 foreign countries and 2,500 members; another of the largest is the [[Bandidos]] with "possibly 600" members.<ref>Rick Anderson, [http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/0628/bikers.php Bad Boys], ''Seattle Weekly'', July 12, 2006. Accessed online 17 July 2006.</ref> | |
| − | |||
| − | == | + | ==Gangs in Fiction== |
| − | + | Gangs have featured prominently in American culture. Some examples in film and literature include: | |
| + | *American History X | ||
| + | *Boyz n the Hood | ||
| + | *Casino | ||
| + | *Donnie Brasco | ||
| + | *Gangs of New York | ||
| + | *Goodfellas | ||
| + | *Menace II Society | ||
| + | *New Jack City | ||
| + | *Scarface | ||
| + | *The Godfather | ||
| + | *The Untouchables | ||
| + | *The Warriors | ||
| + | *West Side Story | ||
| + | ==Gangs Today== | ||
| + | Gangs pose a threat to people in all walks of life on all continents. While gang membership and activity may surge and ebb periodically, just a few members can terrorize entire communities. Gangs' association with drugs, prostitution, and other forms of violence can lead to an atmosphere of fear and dissonance. Unfortunately, children often see gangs as their only way out of low-income backgrounds with little opportunity for education or work. | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 03:17, 20 October 2006
A gang is a group of individuals who share a common identity and, in current usage, engage in illegal activities. Historically the term referred to both criminal groups and ordinary groups of friends, such as Our Gang.
Some commentators use "gang" to refer to small, informal, and disorganized "street gangs", while "syndicate" or "organized crime" are used to refer to larger, more powerful organizations, such as the Italian-American Mafia, which may control entire legitimate businesses as "fronts" for their illegal operations, bringing in millions of dollars per year.
The word "gang" generally appears in a pejorative context, though within "the gang" itself members may adopt the phrase in proud identity or defiance.
Gangs have a disturbingly prominent place in history. The Roman orator Cicero spoke of groups of armed youths. 17th century England was terrorized by the Mohocks. Gangs played a role in America's Revolutionary War, as armed patriots terrorized loyalists [1].
Most American cities have some history of gang violence, which often had profound effects on the political climate and later development in general. Early in America's history, politicians were often involved. These politicians funded gangs to be used in violent acts against political opponents. In New York, many gangs were centered in the infamous Five Points region, and included the Bowery Boys, the Shirt Tails, and the Dead Rabbits. Aside from their regular practice of regularly killing innocent people for money, the most notorious singular violent act committed by these gangs was the New York Draft Riots of 1863. Gang members commonly used blackjacks, lead pipes and daggers. Gang members could often be identified by the large plug hats that they would wear pulled down over their ears, usually stuffed with paper and rags to mitigate blows from attackers. In San Francisco, one of the largest and most influential gangs was the Sydney Ducks, which consisted of mostly immigrants from Australia.
Gangs are not a strictly American phenomenon, as gang violence occurs everywhere from South America to Europe.
Gang activities
Gangs often take over territory or "turf" in a particular city. Some gangs provide "protection", which is often a thin cover for extortion. The "protection" is usually from the gang itself. Since roughly the 1970s, street gangs have been strongly connected with drug sales (especially crack cocaine). Statisticians believe that gangs were responsible for some two-fifths of illegal drug sales in America [2]. Some commit burglaries, car theft, and armed robbery. Many gangs use fronts to demonstrate influence and gain revenue in a particular area. These clandestine bases may include restaurants, bars, casinos, race tracks, strip clubs, or other business.
Gangs often spread by a parent or family moving out of the gang neighborhood, and the children taking the gang culture and lore with them to a new area and recruiting new members for their old gang. This concept has been referred to as satellite gangs.
Gang violence
Gang violence refers to mostly those illegal and non-political acts of violence perpetrated by gangs against innocent people, property, or other gangs. Throughout history, such acts have been committed by gangs at all levels of organization, social class, and race. The idea that one particular race is more often responsible for gang violence is readily shown to be a fiction by a brief historical examination.
Gang warfare
Gang warfare is the conflict between opposing gangs.
Gang warfare is commonly held over turf boundary disputes, the takeover of an area in order to bring in narcotics to push on the streets, personal rivalries, or simply the fact that the opposing group is different in some way. Gang warfare takes a huge toll on cities, families, and communities involved, especially many cities in South/Central America and South Africa where the levels of gang violence have long since dwarfed even American cities.
Gang members
Individual members of gangs may be referred to as gangsters, gangstas, or "gangbangers".
"The U.S. government estimated that at the turn of the 21st century nearly half of all gang members in the country were Hispanic, about one-third were African American, about one-eighth were white, and about one-twentieth were Asian. Research has consistently indicated that fewer than one-tenth of gang members are female, though some surveys suggested that females account for more than one-fourth of gang membership. Few gangs, however, are female dominated. About two-fifths of gang members are under the age of 17, and almost nine-tenths are under 25 [The U.S. government estimated that at the turn of the 21st century nearly half of all gang members in the country were Hispanic, about one-third were African American, about one-eighth were white, and about one-twentieth were Asian. Research has consistently indicated that fewer than one-tenth of gang members are female, though some surveys suggested that females account for more than one-fourth of gang membership. Few gangs, however, are female dominated. About two-fifths of gang members are under the age of 17, and almost nine-tenths are under 25.]." Research shows a strong correlation between gang membership and family dysfunction. Many gang members come from families with histories of drug abuse or domestic violence.
Entry into a gang often entails being "jumped in", where other members beat up the recruit in order to test his dedication. Sometimes the recruit may be given a crime to commit (robbery, rape, or murder) as another route of entry. Often, the decision to join a gang is purely practical, where the danger of being unaffiliated, and thus unprotected, outweighs the risks of membership. Unfortunately, this perpetuates a vicious cycle, only contributing to the violence and corruption of a neighborhood. Other temptations to join a gang also exist: money, drugs, power, and pride for the neighborhood. Although the gang's very existence harms the community, members take great pride in "defending" their local turf.
Once in the gang, the recruit is now a member of the street family, and any offense towards him or any of his brethren will be retaliated against strongly by the gang. They are often given nicknames, partially to prevent their identity from being revealed to law enforcement, but also to denote their rank within the gang. Younger members may start out performing minor crimes, working their way up within the organization, building their reputation through criminal acts. Most members retain their gang affiliations when sent to prison (see prison gang). Usually the member is affiliated for life, with two unfavorable options for exiting the gang: one, he may be killed; two, he may desert the gang, essentially forfeiting his life if any of the gang should see him again.
Examples of Gangs
Some very well known gangs are the California-based Crips and Bloods, or the Sureños and Norteños. Other large gangs include the white power gang Nazi Low Riders, or NLR, the Latin Kings, the Gangster Disciples of Chicago, the Vice Lords, the Los Angeles-based 18th Street gang, and the Jamaican Posses. In the 1980s, other gangs, such as the Central American gang named Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), the Miami based International Posse or In/p and the Cambodian gangs Tiny Raskal Gang (TRG).
Outlaw motorcycle clubs—or "criminal biker gangs" (as prosecutors call them)—are, above all, groups who ride their motorcycles together; however, they may also be involved in criminal enterprises. The largest is Hells Angels with 227 chapters in the United States and 29 foreign countries and 2,500 members; another of the largest is the Bandidos with "possibly 600" members.[1]
Gangs in Fiction
Gangs have featured prominently in American culture. Some examples in film and literature include:
- American History X
- Boyz n the Hood
- Casino
- Donnie Brasco
- Gangs of New York
- Goodfellas
- Menace II Society
- New Jack City
- Scarface
- The Godfather
- The Untouchables
- The Warriors
- West Side Story
Gangs Today
Gangs pose a threat to people in all walks of life on all continents. While gang membership and activity may surge and ebb periodically, just a few members can terrorize entire communities. Gangs' association with drugs, prostitution, and other forms of violence can lead to an atmosphere of fear and dissonance. Unfortunately, children often see gangs as their only way out of low-income backgrounds with little opportunity for education or work.
Notes
External links
- Know Gangs detailed information about gangs
- MS-13 News and Analysis
- "gang" on Britannica.com Information from Encyclopædia Britannica online
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