Parker Jones
Nathan Collins
English 130I
10 May 2013
Get Rich or Die Trying
Los Angeles has become an area of rich diversity, and unique opportunities, as well as an
area heavily infested with daily crime and gang violence. The United States is one of the most
developed yet underdeveloped countries in the world, and this constant stress to provide for
oneself and family, while continuously building a sense of belonging, further propels this gang
culture as it combines both. Blood splattered streets and countless murders have been the
stereotypical view of gang violence, and once we question the youth’s involvement in gangs, the
emergence of music further fosters and promotes gang actions.
Youth are pressured by the molds that society sets forth, such as the need for a sense of
belonging. This feeds into adolescence joining the prominent gang culture, as they yearn to be
apart of something that is bigger than themselves. Within the article “Understanding the Culture
of Youth Violence” by Henry Pacheco envelopes on the reasons why youth are inclined to join
gangs. Emerging adults join gangs for many reasons which, “include safety, friendship, status,
recognition, curiosity, excitement, money, generational commitment, peer pressure, and drug
abuse”, just to name a few (Pacheco 20). In some situations, gang life can be seen as a culturally
acceptable lifestyle. The feeling of love and want is common expression that is often overlooked
or taken for granted, and those seeking this kind of validation look to gangs to fill this void, as
gangs provide them with a “family.” Emerging adulthood is a time when the youth find out their
true character, and are able to experience life for themselves. Younger generations are attracted
at the lure of being apart of something bigger than themselves, and are willing to do anything to
keep this false sense of security and family alive. Within Pachecos work he addresses Abraham
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, which states that the reason why youth join gangs is in an
effort to satisfy a need in one’s life (22). The external necessities these individuals face, include
physiological belongings like food, and clothing, as well as safety, a sense of belonging,
increased self-esteem and respect, and the ability to feel ones achieved their full potential (22).
However, often the process of gaining this respect often turns them into a ruthless member who
is willing to do anything in order to stay in the gang; all in order to keep these empty promises of
love and security.
Historians- Howell and Moore- discuss in their article “History of Street Gangs in the
United States” how gang-like groups began to arrive in the western United States as early as the
1890s (Howell, Moore). After the Mexican American war, many Hispanics were not wanted in
the United States, but were unable to return to Mexico because of their relationship with the U.S
. This social barrier and separation, along with an unwillingness to be accepted, and the want to
feel recognized, led to the origins of Hispanic street gangs in areas like Los Angeles. The
emergence of street gangs and the increase of convictions led the Mexican community to unite
together in a “a fight against class distinction based on prejudice and racism; a fight against the
establishment” (Howell, Moore). Around the 1940s the emergence of black gangs began to take
a center stage with the revolts against white supremacy. With the white superiority, violence
between differing ethnicities became rampant in schools. Fast forwarding to the 1960’s, a time
of social unrest with race inferiorities and supremacies reaching a peaking rate, a new found
black identity emerges with the civil rights movement; and the black youth who were in search
of a new identity flocked towards the gang movement . With the upsurge of black gangs, two
opposing groups formed and united smaller more regional gangs into the Bloods and the Crips .
In the following years, numerous gangs through the United States began to adopt the name of the
Crips or the Bloods, and now almost all west coast black gangs affiliate themselves with one of
these notorious gangs.
Two most prevalent and notorious gangs on the west coast are the Bloods and Crips.
Scholars and authors have attempted to portray the gang way of life, however first person
experience can lead to a deeper understanding and practical view, as seen in the documentary
entitled “Inside Bloods And Crips LA Gangs”. What do you usually think of first when you think
of the term “gangs”? Was it the use and selling of drugs, murders, thefts, or anything along those
lines? The use and selling of drugs such as crack cocaine has become an interchangeable part of
gang culture. By selling recreational narcotics, gang members have the possibility to make a vast
income in a relatively short amount of time, which intrigues many memeber of our society today.
We are a material driven society and the portrayal of the American Dream, or the ability to gain
wealth and inevitably material possessions almost forces this style of life to the youth of today,
which makes the gang culture a realistic and reliable option. With the embrace of the black
power movement in the 1960s, gangs on the east side of Los Angeles were seen as normal
(Youtube 5:15). Youth began to take notice of these new found riches, as poor kids through the
gang affiliation became affluent and moved into a wealthier class structure. A huge reason for
the uprising of the Crips was the effects on the youth, especially through the school districts in
Los Angeles. Troubled youths began to take gang violence to the schools, which inevitably
would get them suspended and transferred to other schools where gang violence would continue
to grow; as now it was not just enclosed to a few schools (9:00). The Crips and rivals, the
Bloods, knew numbers meant security and there was always a steady flow of new recruits, and
no matter how many gang members were put in jail, gang violence would not cease. It was no
longer simple schoolyard rumbles as widespread murders began to break out (22:30). As a
society our actions are influenced by what we immerse ourselves in on a daily basis. Drugs are a
rampant problem in the world, and are glorified in industries such as music. Music creates a
unique bridge between these two subcultures and often influences the movement of youth
towards gang life through its catchy lyrics and promise of fame.
Mass media and music play crucial roles in our society and the formation of our youth.
Music is a common form of expression, and especially rap and hip-hop, are two genres of music
that are commonly used as a way to express this “gang” lifestyle. The youth of today idolize
these mainstream music producers who are in it for a monetary gain. Hip-hop and rap has
transcended age and ethnicity and this music, in turn, may influence the behavior of the younger
gang members/listeners, but is not necessarily indicative of gang involvement. Music plays a
vital role in gang life, and
“professionals who work with gang members should be aware of the role that music has
historically played in the gang culture, as well as the increasing use of music by gangs to
gain members and support for their gang. The increasing portrayal of violence in the
lyrics of these songs indicates a trend toward the willingness to use violence against
police officers” (Morales).
Although some artist attempt to portray positive messages, some allow money to overrule their
life and produce music geared at making money, which has little regards to content. Rap can
promote positive messages and unit people together who share common interests. Within a few
years this new music genre which portrayed images of guns, gangs, sex, and violence became a
top of the chart phenomenon. These images of gangs, sex, and violence are apart of nearly every
culture and surround us daily; if we take “into consideration the messages of sex and violence
present in gangster rap, similar topics can be observed in books, television, movies, and even
video games” (Morales). A study done by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism, found that frequent exposure to music that contains references to violence and
substance is significantly associated with illicit drug use, problems with alcohol and aggressive
behaviors in young people. What some view as entertainment and pleasure inevitably has a
significant impact on the youth. Nearly every song has a reference to an illegal or illicit behavior,
and can be seen in the work of one of the greatest rappers and thug known as Tupac Shakur. In
his song entitled “Us Against the World” violence is posterized as the only way to make changes
in your life, as the chorus goes:
“Got me worried, stressin, my vision's blurried. The question is will I live? No one in the
world loves meI'm headed for danger, don't trust strangers. Put one in the chamber
whenever I'm feelin this anger. Don't wanna make excuses, cause this is how it is
What's the use unless we're shootin no one notices the youth. It's just me against the
world baby”.
This song by Tupac addresses the youth of his time by claiming the only way to have yourself
seen in the publics eye is to promote violence. Tupac even goes as far as promoting murder
through the use of a gun.This is one of the many countless songs by ari tis all over the world that
promotes illegal actions and delinquent behaviors. Music is more than just entertainment, it
consumes our mind with a false notion that these idolized lyrics are the way in which we should
live our lives.
The youth of today are faced with a copious amounts of problems, all of which help
form their own identity and their ability to be successful in life. With the American Dream
forcing our society to do anything possible to achieve wealth, the emerging adults have swayed
towards gang involvement to fill the voids in their daily life. By looking through a psychological
perspective we are able to consider the reasons why gang involvement is becoming a
commonality. With the upsurgence of rap music, the glorification of violence and illegal
substance abuse portrayed in artists music influences others to follow their path to
“success”. Gangs will always be a driving force in our society, as they provide a life which helps
fill voids. U.S. representative Dave Reichert states that “gang violence in America is not a
sudden problem. It has been a part of urban life for years, offering an aggressive definition and
identity to those seeking a place to belong in the chaos of large metropolitan areas”.