The complexities of gang life, specifically the murder of a young girl named Cheryl Green in Los Angeles in the 2000s by members of the 204th Street gang. It provides a more comprehensive picture of how young people are drawn into these gangs and integrated into global criminal and violent networks. The article goes into more detail on the socioeconomic circumstances and the appeal of respect, loyalty, and power that pull young people into these illegal groups despite the dangers. It implies that in order to effectively address this issue, society must provide alternatives where young people can discover the esteem and camaraderie they long for, apart from illegal organizations.
Key Points:
- Daniel Aguilar, a member of the 204th Street gang in LA, led his friend Christopher Ash into an ambush due to suspicions of Ash’s supposed cooperation with the police regarding the murder of Cheryl Green, a 14-year-old girl.
- The current state of gangs and organized crime is facilitated and amplified by social media, with the Latino population being a primary demographic of recruitment. The criminal enterprises these gangs are a part of are now worth billions and are set to surpass the longevity of the Italian mob.
- Gangs and cartels have evolved into complex structures of production and distribution, similar to brands in the alcohol industry. While their power might seem to rival that of cartels, the control still largely lies in the hands of a few centralized cartels that coordinate the supply chain.
- Gang life often begins in school years, when youthful bonds form. Older gang members infiltrate these bonds, fostering talent and recruitment into larger, more organized gang structures. This process often creates three categories within the gangs: leaders, killers, and followers.
- To counteract the draw of gang life, society needs to offer attainable spaces that satisfy young people’s needs for respect, loyalty, and glory outside of criminal enterprises. Currently, the main ladder to money and prestige in the U.S. is often out of reach for many, making criminal enterprises seem like a more feasible option.
Source: https://www.palladiummag.com/2023/06/22/the-answer-is-better-gangs/
