Gangs in Chicago,
Los Angeles, and elsewhere are becoming adept at information technology.
Their web pages range from verbal insults on rival gangs similar to Democratic
or Republican Party web pages, to more sophisticated explanations of their
principles and politics. These websites indicate both diversity between
gangs, but also a new tendency toward politicization.
There are many pages
in cyberspace which are designed by law enforcement to "expose"
gangs. You don't need my webpage to find them. In this page, I reprint
active linx to web pages designed by gangs. I will attempt to reproduce
only those pages which I'm reasonably certain are genuinely designed by
gangs and gang members and produce literature and information about gangs
by gangs or gang members themselves.
This page does not
support or promote law breaking, but is provided as a research resource
for social scientists, students, journalists, and the public. These links
may be interrupted regularly, so please report any broken links to the
webmaster.
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Here's one from the Latin
Kings. It has links to Latin Queen websites and to the Humboldt Park
Spaulding Kings, aka "The Motherland."
Here's one Latin King gang with a decidely political
orientation, explaining "kingism."
Vicelords have web pages too. Here's one which
begins:
WELCOME TO THE VICE LORD NATION'S HOMEPAGE
The Conservative Vice Lord Homepage has linx to
the Almighty Insane Latin
Counts Nation and Almighty Unknown Vice Lord People's Nation's websites.
Chicagohoodz
is the website of James O'Connor and it contains hundreds (maybe more)
pictures of gang graffiti and material on Chicago gangs. He has a book
coming out this year, and I'll be sure to review it. Check out his galleries,
including one dedicated to the victims of gang violence.
Many pages ask for you to sign a guestbook.
While this may be legitimate, you should realize that law enforcement
monitors these pages and will record every name signed in as a guest.
There are also pages which seem to be designed by gangs, but are the work
of others. Please check out the linx above, there is nothing illegal about
looking at a web site. I think its called "freedom of speech."
"Bangin on
Wax" a video project that let both gangs speak out on their own
history is described in this website.
The most complete page, with a large number of crip websites is "Crips
Gang Information." I don't know who runs it, but it has genuine
linx to Crip leader's websites and much more.
The Crips and Bloods
Homepage was designed by a Crip and a Blood and argues that both sides
can get along and unite against the real enemy.
The apology and other material from Stanley "Tookie"
Williams, co-founder of the Crips, now on San Quentin's death row. Material
on his award-winning book, Life in Prison, can also be found here.
Streetgangs.com is the website
of Alejandro Alonso, a PhD student at USC and a veteran of the barrio
and poor neighborhoods. There is more information here than I can survey,
but it is the most complete website on LA gangs I've found.
Finally, there is an expose, of sorts,by Salon Magazine on LA
gang websites. Some helpful background information.
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Here's a page advertising a book, from Gangster
Disciple to the Blueprint
Growth and Development" explaining the evolution of the BGD.
Another gives some of the growth and development
philosophy with some
links to other pages. Another page is on "Representing
Till the World Blows. Another page is anti-vice lord and blooks, but expresses
the nation philosophy.
A bachelor's honors
thesis on 21st Century VOTE was based on newspaper accounts and interviews.
There is a lot of information on Larry Hoover and Gator Bradley, as well
as the nature of 21st Century VOTE. Worth reading, despite its lack of
any theoretical focus and the author's disclamer on his pro-Larry Hoover
conclusions.
Here's one with some great music from Boss
G.There are links on many of these web sites to newspaper articles
about the trial of Larry Hoover. Here's one with a profile of the head
of the nation.
If you have the URL to any gang websites, please send
them to me. It is important to read and see what gang members themselves
have to say about themselves.
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