Colors That Kill

Since the early ages of America, gangs have been prominent in the states. However, back then they weren’t so much gangs as they were rebels. In the old days they were referred to as outlaws, bandits, pirates and thugs. Those were the beginning days of Americas gang problem. During the 1800’s gangs weren’t too big of a threat. Most would commit a few small crimes here and there. All of that changed one day in December of 1865 when six men started a social club that would become one of America’s most powerful and feared gangs of all time. The year 1865 was the birth of one of the most famous gangs in American history the Ku Klux Klan. During the highest point in this gang’s time there were as many as three million members, but the gang’s untouchable attitude would soon cause the gang to destroy itself and nearly caused it to end entirely. The Ku Klux Klan, however, would only be the beginning of America’s gang problem.
In 1899 a boy was born by the name of Alphonse Capone and later would become one of the most famous mobsters of all time. It was because of guys like him, Johnny Torrio and Lucky Luciano that another famous gang would sky rocket its way to the top of gangs in America. Founded by Paolo Antonini Vaccarelli, The Five Points Gang, was like the minor leagues of the mob. With the help of second in command Johnny Torrio it became the most significant gang to form in the United States ever. A few years later Al Capone would be called to help manage Chicagoland mob territories. This would move Capone to Chicago where he would go down in history as the most violent and prolific gangster in Chicago, if not the most in the country.
In the early 90’s gangs started to take off with the arrival of new immigrants. Most gangs were formed in the poverty stricken areas of the country also known as the ghetto. The majority of the gangs and gang members consisted of Hispanics, Asians, and African Americans. This is the time in which gangs flourished and started popping up everywhere across the country. New gangs were forming daily and each with its own desire for power. Such famous gangs that were created during this time include: Vice Lords, Savage Skulls, La Familia, Savage Nomads, Rampers, Black Gangsters, Devil’s Disciples, Black P Stone Rangers, Gangster Disciples, Black Gangster Disciples and La Eme. By the late 1980’s and early 1990’s the drug networks were in full motion and drug importation from Southeast Asia and Colombia were at its peak. This is when street gangs developed into drug gangs with more businesslike operations and violence becoming a standard operating procedure for the gangs. With the rise of drugs and violence came the rise of super gangs( large , multi cultural street gangs) such as: Latin Kings, Bloods, Crips and now the biggest gang in America MS-13. Nowadays gangs are anywhere and everywhere. No matter where you go you will find gangs which means you will also find drugs, violence and murder. You can even look towards the media to find gangs glorified. Such famous gangsters include 2pac, Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Birdman and so on. Each uses their music to express themselves and their lives back when they were more profound in the gang life. You can even see how it affects the youth of the nation. More and more kids are trying to act, talk, and dress more “gangsta”. You can see from such things like these how big of an impact gangs have influenced our culture even if we didn’t know it.