Sociology
of Gangs:
Graffitti
is not an art form but a means of gang communication. Gang
members have nicknmaes. These are called monikers.
Monikers of each of the gang members is seen in the gang graffiti.
Symbols and numbers also carry mesages and are used in graffiti.
These are called placas. Most graffiti messages
are written up and down rather than left to right. Some words
are even written backwords. For example, "redrum"
is "murder" spelled backwards but carries the same
meaning. When
a gang puts their graffiti in an area, it is said they "tag"
that area. If another gang comes into that area and crosses
out the graffiti that is already there, it is seen as a
challenge.
Some signs
that a teen may be involved with a gang includes:
- Change
in clothing (sometimes bagging & sagging)
- Change
in speaking patterns (more slang or accent changes)
- Drop
in grades at school
- Change
in friends
- Coming
home late or being out all night
Gangs
in Alaska have a different sociology than the gangs in the
contiguous United States. Gangs in Alaska are what is referred
to as hybrid gangs. They have become popular over the past
10 years. They care less about turf and ethnicity. Many
are made up of teens from many different races. They may
also include females and males. In Alaska, they are seen
as "fight gangs" rather than "turf gangs".
In order to be in a gang, there is a process known as "jumpin
in". A prospective member must show his/her commitment
to becoming a gang member by committing an act set forth
by the gang. This could include a home invasion, an assault,
etc. Often times this also includes a session where gang
members fight with their new recruit for a period of several
minutes to see if he/she can withstand the assualt. If a
gang member wants to leave a gang, he/she has three options:
"Jumpin out", die, or flee. The "jumpin out"
process is similar to that of the "jumpin in"
process.
Loyalty
to the gang and it's members always takes precedence over
anything else in a gang members life. Second, is loyalty
to self and last to family. |
