Nolan Brennan / Nicholas Day
Daniel Frank
ENG 1030-44
17 Sept. 2014
Gangs are all over America, “There is no single, generally accepted definition of a gang” but according to the National Gang Center(NGC), gangs “are involved in an elevated level of criminal activity”(NGC). Although the negative characteristics of gangs are more obvious, there exists a limited quantity of positive influences of gangs. One of the most important positives within gang life is the action of taking ones untapped potential and skills developed through gang membership and using them in a positive direction. For example, gang members often gain social notoriety within their respective community. If this “popularity” was gained in a lawful or a moral manner is not the issue, instead one can seize this opportunity to completely turn their social reputation into a new beginning. According to Klein, gangs provide members with local empowerment (83). But often times nobody even cares about the good in gangs, because of all the chaos they cause, like Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in a meeting with some of the important board members of the area, Leon said these exact words “This summer was horrendous,” referring to the gangs and their actions (qtd. in Phillips; Para. 2). On the other hand, Klein specifically cited notorious Chicago street gang of the 1960s that received federal grants to use towards community organizations such as further developing the social welfare system and funding various profitable commercial enterprises (Klein 83).
Another valid point that Klein makes concerning the minor positivity within gangs is the ability to transform members’ skills into actual goals and aspirations. Hold up one second, we need to talk about the REAL GOAL, get gangs off the streets, to make society safer, and “keeping gangs from gaining toeholds in neighborhoods, from gangs stealing guns and money from neighbors’ homes or committing crimes with impunity when people are afraid to turn them in” (qtd. in Phillips; Para. 10). Yes, that would be nice for our society specifically, but a well-respected gang leader, Hamilton, who returned from a year of confinement to a new life committed to civil rights reform is the way gangs are now, there not all violent like most of the world thinks. After retiring from his gang, he decided to live a life committed to CORE or Congress of Racial Equality, an organization that supplied a majority of leadership for the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Although these transformation proves a small degree of opportunity for gang members, it is not applicable to the majority of members.
Comparable to the idea of the potential within all people in gangs is the idea that gangs are a method of adding aspects of stability to wavering communities. In struggling communities, people often lose everything that they possess. Gangs offer stability to those in these desperate situations, Gangs not only offer stability they also offer identity, protection, fellowship, something fun to do (VPI). According to Kline, gangs are often seen developing a “symbiosis” with their respective community (84). It is claimed that gang members are heavily committed to serving the needs of their fellow neighbors (84), serving the needs of their fellow neighbors or are they really just taking control of the neighborhood?(VPI). Unfortunately, this relationship between gangs and their neighbors is applicable to some but also seems idealistic given many gangs’ true motives and actions. Unfortunately while some gangs may be “sophisticated and well organized;” many more gangs “use violence to control neighborhoods and boost their illegal money-making activities, which include robbery, drug and gun trafficking, fraud, extortion, and prostitution rings”, says FBI (1st Para.), so therefore Kline thoughts are not exactly correct.
Besides these examples, many members of youth gangs supply substantial evidence of positivity within gang society. It is an integral part of growing up and becoming an adult for a young person to belong to some type of organization. Ignoring the violence and crimes committed, gangs offer a certain sense of belonging to young people. The problem is society is never going to think along the lines of ignoring the violence that comes with all “33,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs”(FBI), and its over “1.4 million members that are criminally active”(FBI). Jerome Skolnick said, “Urban youth gangs, particularly those which are highly aggressive, are a stabilizing influence in a community characterized by severe lack of social and economic opportunities” (Klein 84). Another positive impact that gangs could have on young people is the opportunity to gain self-confidence and self-respect, and hopefully to see that gang life is not the best way to assume their full potential (Kinnear 30). It is also recognized that young people within gangs often develop a certain amount of skills. In a few cases, young people learn cooperation, teamwork, and organization which could all serve beneficial assets to the holder and their neighborhood if used correctly (30). For the most part, only harm can come from a young person’s involvement in a gang considering the substantial presence of violence, crime, and other illegal activities. But then again ALL gangs have violence in them, whether it's stealing a pencil to murdering someone for money or land, the point is youth don’t need to be in gangs, there parents need to help expose them to other organizations like doing community work, chores around the house, a job, a sport, or a club that you know for a fact will have a positive impact on them in the long run(VPI).
Gangs have been around for a long time, but in the beginning of time gangs were not all about violence but now they are ruining lives day by day. Yes there are some good in gangs like the bringing together of brotherhood, and teaching them skills such as cooperation, team work, but at the end of the day 99% of society is going to say that gangs are violent and no good for America. America does not need violence, America needs a safe, loving, caring environment and not a gang filled society all trying to be better then the man to the right and to the left of them.
Works Cited
Kinnear, Karen L. Gangs: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1996. Print.
Klein, Malcolm W. The American Street Gang: Its Nature, Prevalence, and Control. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1997. Print.
Phillips, Noelle. "Midlands, State Police Agencies Ask for Community’s Help with Gang Violence." N.p., n.d. Web.
FBI. "They Poison Our Streets with Drugs, Violence, and All Manner of Crime."FBI. FBI, 19 Mar. 2010. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
VPI. "Why Young People Join Gangs and What You Can Do." Why Young People Join Gangs and What You Can Do. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.
NGC. "Frequently Asked Questions About Gangs." Frequently Asked Questions About Gangs. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.
CFSEU. "End Gang Life." End Gang Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.
Here is also the link to the essay in google docs: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JENpzJcOfAn4ZMehsBQYi07e9qv-RPkB5I1P5ve5oNU/edit?usp=sharing
Daniel Frank
ENG 1030-44
17 Sept. 2014
Gangs are all over America, “There is no single, generally accepted definition of a gang” but according to the National Gang Center(NGC), gangs “are involved in an elevated level of criminal activity”(NGC). Although the negative characteristics of gangs are more obvious, there exists a limited quantity of positive influences of gangs. One of the most important positives within gang life is the action of taking ones untapped potential and skills developed through gang membership and using them in a positive direction. For example, gang members often gain social notoriety within their respective community. If this “popularity” was gained in a lawful or a moral manner is not the issue, instead one can seize this opportunity to completely turn their social reputation into a new beginning. According to Klein, gangs provide members with local empowerment (83). But often times nobody even cares about the good in gangs, because of all the chaos they cause, like Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in a meeting with some of the important board members of the area, Leon said these exact words “This summer was horrendous,” referring to the gangs and their actions (qtd. in Phillips; Para. 2). On the other hand, Klein specifically cited notorious Chicago street gang of the 1960s that received federal grants to use towards community organizations such as further developing the social welfare system and funding various profitable commercial enterprises (Klein 83).
Another valid point that Klein makes concerning the minor positivity within gangs is the ability to transform members’ skills into actual goals and aspirations. Hold up one second, we need to talk about the REAL GOAL, get gangs off the streets, to make society safer, and “keeping gangs from gaining toeholds in neighborhoods, from gangs stealing guns and money from neighbors’ homes or committing crimes with impunity when people are afraid to turn them in” (qtd. in Phillips; Para. 10). Yes, that would be nice for our society specifically, but a well-respected gang leader, Hamilton, who returned from a year of confinement to a new life committed to civil rights reform is the way gangs are now, there not all violent like most of the world thinks. After retiring from his gang, he decided to live a life committed to CORE or Congress of Racial Equality, an organization that supplied a majority of leadership for the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Although these transformation proves a small degree of opportunity for gang members, it is not applicable to the majority of members.
Comparable to the idea of the potential within all people in gangs is the idea that gangs are a method of adding aspects of stability to wavering communities. In struggling communities, people often lose everything that they possess. Gangs offer stability to those in these desperate situations, Gangs not only offer stability they also offer identity, protection, fellowship, something fun to do (VPI). According to Kline, gangs are often seen developing a “symbiosis” with their respective community (84). It is claimed that gang members are heavily committed to serving the needs of their fellow neighbors (84), serving the needs of their fellow neighbors or are they really just taking control of the neighborhood?(VPI). Unfortunately, this relationship between gangs and their neighbors is applicable to some but also seems idealistic given many gangs’ true motives and actions. Unfortunately while some gangs may be “sophisticated and well organized;” many more gangs “use violence to control neighborhoods and boost their illegal money-making activities, which include robbery, drug and gun trafficking, fraud, extortion, and prostitution rings”, says FBI (1st Para.), so therefore Kline thoughts are not exactly correct.
Besides these examples, many members of youth gangs supply substantial evidence of positivity within gang society. It is an integral part of growing up and becoming an adult for a young person to belong to some type of organization. Ignoring the violence and crimes committed, gangs offer a certain sense of belonging to young people. The problem is society is never going to think along the lines of ignoring the violence that comes with all “33,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs”(FBI), and its over “1.4 million members that are criminally active”(FBI). Jerome Skolnick said, “Urban youth gangs, particularly those which are highly aggressive, are a stabilizing influence in a community characterized by severe lack of social and economic opportunities” (Klein 84). Another positive impact that gangs could have on young people is the opportunity to gain self-confidence and self-respect, and hopefully to see that gang life is not the best way to assume their full potential (Kinnear 30). It is also recognized that young people within gangs often develop a certain amount of skills. In a few cases, young people learn cooperation, teamwork, and organization which could all serve beneficial assets to the holder and their neighborhood if used correctly (30). For the most part, only harm can come from a young person’s involvement in a gang considering the substantial presence of violence, crime, and other illegal activities. But then again ALL gangs have violence in them, whether it's stealing a pencil to murdering someone for money or land, the point is youth don’t need to be in gangs, there parents need to help expose them to other organizations like doing community work, chores around the house, a job, a sport, or a club that you know for a fact will have a positive impact on them in the long run(VPI).
Gangs have been around for a long time, but in the beginning of time gangs were not all about violence but now they are ruining lives day by day. Yes there are some good in gangs like the bringing together of brotherhood, and teaching them skills such as cooperation, team work, but at the end of the day 99% of society is going to say that gangs are violent and no good for America. America does not need violence, America needs a safe, loving, caring environment and not a gang filled society all trying to be better then the man to the right and to the left of them.
Works Cited
Kinnear, Karen L. Gangs: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1996. Print.
Klein, Malcolm W. The American Street Gang: Its Nature, Prevalence, and Control. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1997. Print.
Phillips, Noelle. "Midlands, State Police Agencies Ask for Community’s Help with Gang Violence." N.p., n.d. Web.
FBI. "They Poison Our Streets with Drugs, Violence, and All Manner of Crime."FBI. FBI, 19 Mar. 2010. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
VPI. "Why Young People Join Gangs and What You Can Do." Why Young People Join Gangs and What You Can Do. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.
NGC. "Frequently Asked Questions About Gangs." Frequently Asked Questions About Gangs. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.
CFSEU. "End Gang Life." End Gang Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.
Here is also the link to the essay in google docs: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JENpzJcOfAn4ZMehsBQYi07e9qv-RPkB5I1P5ve5oNU/edit?usp=sharing