Personal Thoughts, Biases, and Opinions on Street Gang Video

First, I agree with the definition of a gang as provided in the video. The narrator clearly explains that a gang is a group of three or more individuals, and they do not only distinguish themselves from society, but they also participate in criminal activities. Besides, gang streets can either be an individual gang also referred to as a set or clique or affiliation (“Street Gangs”). An affiliation gang is formed when two or more sets work together to increase protection, territory, and rivalry against other gangs. Further, I agree that there are several requirements that individuals should meet to be considered a legal gang member. That is, for someone to gain membership to a particular gang, he or she should meet the provided criteria. For instance, one should be identified by a reliable informant and be associated with gang members. In some cases, someone is required to have physical evidence such as statues and photos. 

However, in my opinion, I do not find it logical to refer to a gang street as a people’s nation considering that gang members engage in criminal activities. Rather, they should be given labels that will make it easier to know that they are a group that breaks the law. From the video, it is also notable that people’s nation is the most popular alliance of gang members (“Street Gangs”). Interestingly, this gang uses symbols such as the cane, a pyramid with 21 bricks, the crescent moon, a Spanish cross, and a five-pointed star. I think these symbols are utilized to make it easier for affiliates in this gang to identify each other. Similarly, the folk nation is another affiliation of gang members that compete with the people’s nation (“Street Gangs”). In their case, gangs of the folk nation use symbols such as 6, a winged heart, a sword, a pitchfork, and a pointed tail. Such symbols could also be used to signify their turf or territory. I, therefore, believe there is no universal mechanism of determining a gang affiliation. In essence, they have varying signs. 

Reference  

Street Gangs. Retrieved from: 

http://learningmodules.bisk.com/play.aspx?xml=L05ld0VuZ2xhbmQvUFMzMTEwL0JPTktfMDUyMzEzXzA3L0RhdGEvbW9kdWxlLnhtbA