Andre Coppage was a boy who had no father. His mother was rarely
around because she was working. He was in charge of taking care
of his five siblings ages 2 through 7. He needed money to keep food
on the table so he did anything he had to, from stealing to joining
a gang that dealt drugs. The gang would often use acts of violence
to prevent competition from entering their drug territory and to
get revenge if a violent act was committed against one of its members.
One night in 1993, Andre's best friend shot and killed a rival
gang member in front of many witnesses at a party. The police questioned
Andre. He did not tell them anything, only that he was at the party.
His friend was arrested, and his gang friends blamed Andre, falsely
accusing him of snitching to the police, even though there were
many other eyewitnesses. Word spread, so Andre, fearing the lost
support of the gang, visited them at the house where they hung out
in order to clear his name and tell them the truth. They didn't
give him a chance to speak. They beat him with guns, rifles and
other objects until he was near death and dumped him in an alley.
They then threw a firebomb into his house. When he got home, he
desperately ran into the house to save his brothers and sisters,
but the blinding smoke and raging fire made it impossible. His entire
family burned to death in the fire. Firemen found the children clinging
to each other dead in the corner of a room. The gang went on as
normal dealing millions of dollars in crack cocaine without justice.
Everyone in the neighborhood knew who had killed Andre's family
but they were all too scared to talk to the police, because of what
they had done to Andre. Andre was homeless drifting from place to
place, kicked out of his relative's house, unable to talk about
the incident and suffering from the lack of justice. It wasn't
until 4 years later, that the FBI brought the gang down. Two members
were given life in prison without parole. Andre is still struggling
to move on with his life, with the unbearable memory of his beloved
brothers and sisters, and the voice of one of his brothers calling
out to him from the fire.
The Definition
of a Gang:
A group of three or more persons, who...
- Share a common identity (a gang name)
- Typically adopt and use certain signs, symbols,
clothing and/or colors
- Individually or collectively engage in criminal
activity
Today, gangs can be found anywhere, from large
to small cities, and from urban to rural areas. Today's gang
members come from many different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
A little
background:
Criminal gangs have existed for 200 years. Many formed from immigrant
groups, minority groups, and from certain economic classes. Irish
immigrants formed the first American criminal gangs in New York
City, during the early 1800's. Since then America has seen gangs
composed of Jews, Blacks, Chinese, Chicanos (Mexican Americans),
Puerto Ricans, Whites, women, and more recently immigrants from
Vietnam, El Salvador and Haiti. Gangs have evolved though out their
history due to different conditions and events, such as the northern
migration of blacks and the immigration of Puerto Ricans after the
Civil War. As poor neighborhoods became overcrowded, gang activity
increased in poor neighborhoods. Gang warfare became more widespread
as firearms became more readily available, and as gangs became more
involved in the drug trade. Gang members have also become progressively
younger throughout history.
Today, due to overcrowding, A gang's territory
could be no more than a single corner or a block. Guns decide arguments
quickly and gang wars today are usually fought like guerrilla warfare
with sniping from rooftops and quick shots from speeding cars replacing
face to face confrontations. This style of combat is likely to harm
or kill innocent bystanders, including defenseless children. Gang
violence today is usually driven by competition for drug sales.
Gangs exist in all 50 states and come from many
backgrounds. Gangs are largely populated by mostly males, ages 13
to 24, from disenfranchised neighborhoods characterized by overcrowding,
high unemployment, high drop out rates, lack of social and recreational
services, and a general feeling of hopelessness. Some experts estimate
that more than 80% of gang members are illiterate and find it nearly
impossible to get a job.
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Lack of a family or lack
of a "family" feeling at home: Teens from troubled homes
attempt to find substitute families or companionship in gangs. Abuse,
neglect, and loss seem to be common themes among many gang members.
Peer pressure: If
all your friends join, it only seems natural for you to join.
Excitement: The
attraction to gangs is fueled by violence in the media, a fantasy
of dominance over others, and an unordinary lifestyle.
Money: Gangs make
money through drug trafficking, illegal weapons sales, robbery and
theft. Millions of dollars each year are made by gangs through the
sale of illegal drugs; frequently by kids, to kids. This money drives
competition for territory in which to do business. Larger, more
powerful gangs, in an effort to expand their market, commonly attempt
to "take over" the market dominated by a smaller gang. This can
lead to extremely violent and deadly gang warfare, resulting in
severe injury and fatality of innocent bystanders. In prison, the
same territorial dispute exists for control over the illegal drug
trade within jails. Members are punished for the theft or loss of
drugs and/or money. Punishment, sometimes in the form of violent
gang murders and assaults, are a direct result of a gang's struggle
to maintain control over their membership.
Fear or intimidation: Some people join gangs to feel safe in a dangerous community. However,
the safe feeling gangs provide is very much an illusion. As far
as other gangs are concerned, you are responsible for every crime
your gang commits. You become a target for revenge. A target for
turf wars. If your gang suspects you of any wrong doing, they'll
punish you severely. In some communities gang members continually
harass non-gang members until they join for protection, from the
very people who are threatening them. Furthermore, the illegal activity
that gangs participate in, such as drug dealing, can expose you
to high levels of danger.
To gain respect: Some young people join gangs as a way to gain the respect they lack
at home or in the community. However, There is a difference between
respect and fear. Adults outside the gang community won't respect
you, because they'll see you as part of the reason that their neighborhood
is unsafe. Your peers won't honestly respect you. They'll just be
afraid of what your gang might do to them or to the people they
care about. The only way to gain true respect from the majority
of people living on this planet, is by doing the right thing, making
smart decisions, making a better life for yourself and your family.
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