Essay on Genesis - the Evolution & Rise of the Gangsterdisciples

Gangs were a huge part of the 1920s/30s, and were first formed during the prohibition era. When the 18th amendment was ratified, there was even more crime and violence than intended. People would do anything for alcohol, so these gangs practically took care of that and made huge amounts of money. Even when prohibition was over, gang remained intact. Some famous gangsters, beides Bonnie and Clyde, were Al Capone, Baby Face Nelson, and Machine Gun Kelly.

The gang was established in 1967 in Southern California by 12 misfit, mostly Vietnam veterans who all had an interest in motorcycles, making money however they could, and not wanting to conform to mainstream America. A power struggle among the members resulted in the kicking out of one of the leaders, who, without permission, started his own Devil’s Diciples

The Gangster Disciples are still an active group in the United States (Mallory, 2012). There are members of the group in over 35 states and 70 U.S. cities (Mallory, 2012). Nearly 20,000 members reside in the city of Chicago, where the FBI considers this group a “major organized crime group” (Mallory, 2012, p. 208). The Gangster Disciples were formed after the death of the group’s original leaders, David Barksdale (Mallory, 2012). A young man who was already a member of the group, Larry Hoover become the new leader of the Gangster Disciples because he was a person that Barksdale watched over (Mallory, 2012). After his death, the group split into the Black Disciples and the Gangster Disciples (Mallory, 2012). The group became prone to violence

The Folk Nation is not one specific gang. It is an alliance of many gangs. These gangs are the Black Gangster Disciples, the Black Disciples, Gangster Disciples, La Raza, Cobras, Eagles, Latin Disciples, Maniac Latin Disciples, Simon City Royals, Spanish Gangsters, Two Sixers and the International Posse. Folk Nation was formed on November 11, 1978 within the Illinois Department of Corrections. Larry Hoover, the leader of the Gangster Disciples, created the idea for the alliance of these gangs. Folk Nation is based in the Chicago area and has spread throughout the US and Canada, specifically in the Midwest and South.

A former Disciple explains a typical way of handling the death of a fellow gang member in inner-city Chicago: ". . .visiting my brothaz in coffins, then going back and getting drunk, reminiscing about the brotha. Then a cold rage would come over me. . we'd all strap up and go into enemy territory and take care of some of them" (163).

. The shutting down of factories in South Central Los Angeles contributed to a number of gangs forming. Many African Americans moved to that particular part of the city because of how well the factories. The city also grew in population because of all the jobs that were available. When the jobs were gone and the factories shut down and move to other states the youth were left without role models. A fifteen year old boy named Raymond Washington started the gang which eventually became known as the Crips. Furthermore, with all of the other young people without jobs and role models they pulled together and started another gang of people that were not a part of the Crips. This gang will also change names a couple of times and become the Bloods.

Gangs have existed in the United States for over 200 years. It all started when the first immigrants came to the U.S.A. Most of them came for a better life but many of them ended up in poverty. The first gangs were formed among poor adolescents who grouped together for the sake of socialisation and protection. They were of the same race or the same ethnic background. The first known gang specialized in crimes was called "The Five Points". They consisted of Irish immigrants and was established in New York City. They dressed in a specific way and used monikers or nicknames. Another early gang were the "Forty Thieves". Their gang leader was Edward Coleman and they formed in 1826. New York City's early gangs had an easy time of it because of

The Crips started when the Baby Avenues were formed by Ray Washington in 1969. Tookie joined him in 1971 and formed the West side portion of what is now known as the Crips. The Crips were initially started to eliminate all street gangs and create a strong neighborhood watch. Tookie said "we started out to, in a sense—address all of the so-called neighboring gangs in the area and I thought I could cleanse the

• Ray Stark and Boyle work together to create the Homeboy Industries, nonprofit to employ gang members

Gangs reorganized and many combined their gangs into one bigger enterprise. Gangs were mostly run from prisons during the 1970’s and on (Brief outline); therefore one could not escape the gangs. Gangs shaped Chicago early on.

The 761st 'Black Panther' Tank Battalion was the first African-American armored unit to see combat.

The Black Guerrilla Family was started in the year 1966 by W.L. Nolen, Lester Jackson, James Carr and other racist who were black in the San Quentin state prison in California. The founders adopted the militia structure and ideology of the Symbionese Liberation Army. The gangs were started so as to unite the black prisoners and get rid of a violent uprising. This uprising was believed to be from a racist prison administration that was white. The gang attracted thousands black American offenders, and was listed for a number of staff assaults and the murder of Marin County judge in 1970. Its territory is in California and some selected areas in the United States. It also has a paramilitary kind of structure. It has around 50,000 members. If one wants to join the gang, one has to be black and must be nominated by an existing member. They have a symbol of a dragon that is attacking a gun tower of a prison. This gang is still growing in most of the American prisons with some of its members outside the confinement.

The Black Panthers was a national organization created in 1966. This organization represented the African-Americans protection among their neighborhoods from police brutality. They brought resources to the community such as free clinics and free lunch at school. In 1967, Bunchy Carter was known as a true hero to his people. He would hold meetings and try an influence the people by knowledge of history. Carter was a member of the Slauson who reflected a mirror of the ghetto. He was courageous, intelligent and quite political man.

This was the woman organization. They were mainly based in Indiana. They helped spread the idea in the North. They started many rallies and other disturbances. Unlike the men, they made friendships between each other and created stronger bonds with each other making them a bit more dangerous. Instead of using violence they used their words. Helping spread racism in churches and other public places. Not only had that but helped introduce children to the Klan. Especially toddlers and those that didn’t know better. They were much more clever and cleaner than the KKK. They didn’t break many laws but was still easy to get out of with allies with the police.

After many hours of deliberating they decided on the name derived from the Greek word kuklos, meaning circle Ku Klux.("Intro. to the Knights of the KKK", p.2) The group later added "Klan" to the word to make the phrase complete. At this time the group decided what to call the different ranks of the members, starting with the leader, the Grand Cyclops, all the way down to the ghouls, or members of no rank. When the men had finished organizing, they were overjoyed about their group, and they decided to show everyone their creation. The members wrapped themselves and their horses in sheet and rode through the small town and terrified everyone, especially Negroes. No doubt, this is the harmless little club that later would be taken to extremes by its members.