The struggles of circumstance which birthed many gangs have become mocked by the very same individuals who claim to live by the tenants of the gang life; first rule, to talking about the gang’s codes of conduct, yet, you can Google gang signs and literature because someone decided to open their mouth breaking the code of silence. Not to mention, people on television with their faces blurred out because they’re speaking on things in which they have no business speaking of.
After watching these absurd shows, I pose a question ...What need is there to have a television show which glorifies each and every avenue of gang life, unless we are trying to give rivals a reason for competition? Now, if you wannabe the baddest gang, commit the most heinous crimes for a little airtime…… its simple arithmetic. Talk to leaders like Larry Hoover about what his intentions were by forming the Gangsta Disciples before you judge the gang.
Growth and development was an aim which sadly missed its mark. Like I initially stated, gangs have been around forever under the guise of many titles, so know that they will never go away. In order to reach these children we have to not fear them, but instead, try to understand them. The life they live isn’t an easy one, and rejection only makes it harder.
Chapter 5
Two months had dragged by since King Louie’s murder. The authorities had no leads, and truth be told summed it up as one less gangster to deal with. Everyone knew King Louie’s death would most likely remain a cold case ‘til the end of time. The streets were in a frenzy and warfare was at an all-time high.
Rival gangs were at each other’s throats, claiming retaliation in King Louie’s name, and internal threats from renegades wanting to claim the throne, divided gangsters abroad.
Hurt that her love was now gone for good, Charlene concealed her pain in order to help see Byron, Nafeesa and Camari away on good terms.
Resting with the baby in her loving arms, Nafeesa watched from the sofa as Byron and his aunt packed up his belongings. The time had finally come for him to say goodbye to his birthplace.
Hearing a knock at the front door, Nafeesa went to open it. To everyone’s surprise, Jemarkus appeared and made his way inside.
“What’s up Nafeesa? Hey little, cutie pie,” he said, pinching Camari’s cheek. The baby began to cry out in displeasure at his touch. Quickly annoyed with the child, he frowned and headed over to Byron.
“What brings you around after no words in two months?” Byron wondered.
Chuckling, Jemarkus gave his homie a hug.
“I was buggin’ last time I saw you. You can’t expect to bounce on me and think I’m not gonna miss you.” He smiled.
“Didn’t sound like you would miss him to me,” Aunt Charlene said.
Jemarkus turned to her with a smile. “Aunt Charlene, now you know this been my man since day one. I was all up in my feelings, but we cool though, right?” he said, turning back to Byron.
Extending his hand for a peace treaty, Byron graciously accepted.
“Now, can we speak in private homie?” Jemarkus whispered. Studying his friend’s mischievous eyes, Byron agreed.
Nafeesa carefully placed Camari down on a blanket to help Charlene finish packing, while the two walked outside into the project hallway.
Posting up on the railing, Byron listened as Jemarkus began to talk about everything but the right thing.
“My dude, you can’t go to the A right now. This King Louie shit got niggas killin’ they own peoples trying to come up. Murda Gang splittin’ up into all these cliques and niggas is on some bullshit. You gotta stay back and help me figure out how to unite the fam like old times. You can’t abandon us right now, fam,” Jemarkus pleaded.
Byron shook his head even more annoyed than before. “When will you wake up? My fam is in that room in there. Before King Louie got killed, he shared some deep shit with me about leavin’ this shit behind and raising my seed, he also blessed me out too,” Byron said retrieving his purple bandana from his back pocket.
“Here, I ain’t got no use for this no more,” he said, handing it off to his one-time ally.
Accepting the purple flag, Jemarkus frowned and backed away. “Y’all have a good life down in Atlanta,” he said, while turning to walk away.
“We plan on it,” Byron replied while heading back inside.
Stepping outside into the cool daylight, Jemarkus pulled his hoodie over his head, as snowflakes fell upon the streets. Viewing Nigeria and his crew seated in a car across the street, he retrieved his cell phone.
Nigeria answered his phone and listened to Jemarkus’ orders.
“I don’t give a fuck how long it takes! Sit here and make sure that nigga don’t make it out of Chicago, unless it’s in a casket! Fuck this up and all y’all goin’ in a casket!”
Nigeria knew Jemarkus wasn’t joking. The two hung up and Jemarkus got inside of his car and left. Upon entering inside his· home, Byron was greeted by Nafeesa with Camari extended towards him. Accepting his beautiful daughter, the pair took a seat on the couch.
“Baby, I’m proud of you. I know it hasn’t been an easy life, but we made it and we’ll continue to make it,” Charlene said.
“I know it auntie and thank you,” Byron replied.
“You’re doing right by getting out of Chicago and away from people like that Jemarkus. His soul has been claimed and ain’t nothing anybody can do about it,” she stated.
Camari began to sound off in tears, and Byron looked down to see what was wrong.
“I think she’s hungry,” Nafeesa admitted.
“Well, where’s her formula?” Byron asked.
“She drank all of it. You’re gonna have to go to the store,” she answered.
Charlene gladly passed him over her car keys and Byron scooped up his daughter.
Nafeesa and Charlene finished up the rest of the packing while Byron took Camari to the store. Unaware of the six eyeballs watching him as he locked Camari in her car seat, Byron made sure she was safe then prepared to leave.
Once Nigeria saw him pull off, he followed close behind. Placing his earpiece in, he called Anteyvion.
“What’s good man?” Anteyvion answered.
“Life, I can’t wait to get out there and start all over fresh. No more drama and no more pain,” Byron confessed.
“That’s the attitude! I’m telling you that you are gonna love it out here in Georgia. It’s a lot quieter and you can get that peace of mind for clarity, can’t wait to have you here.”
“Can’t wait to be there.” Pulling up to the store, Byron got out and unbuckled Camari to head inside.
“Jemarkus paid me a visit not too long ago. The nigga came in actin’ like we still cool, as if we didn’t just go two months without speakin’, and like he ain’t threaten me,” Byron said.
Nigeria, Tracey and Kimbo waited patiently across the street making sure their clips were full.
“You gotta watch that dude. He doesn’t mean you no good. Anybody that can’t see you trying to provide a better life for your fam is selfish and nothing more than a hindrance to your development.”
Byron agreed, while scanning the formula section for his baby. “Bingo!” he said finding her brand. Purchasing a case, Byron headed back outside and strapped Camari back into her seat and placed the formula on the floor.
“Maybe one day Jemarkus will see the light and want more for himself,” Byron optimistically reasoned.
“Only God knows,” Anteyvion replied.
Turning the key in his ignition, Byron pulled away from the curb and headed back home. Signing off with Anteyvion, he clicked off his earpiece and turned the volume up on his car radio. Bobbing his head to the beat, he enjoyed the way Marvin Gaye belted out in harmony his famous words, Oh mercy, mercy me……..things ain’t what they used to be…..
While slipping into a reverie, he began to envision the beautiful possibilities awaiting his family. Glancing over at Camari, Byron began to smile. The innocent child sucked on her pacifier without a care in the world.
“Yep, babygirl, we’re about to relocate and start fresh. I can’t let you grow up with the same growing pains I had to bear,” he said.
Looking from his darling daughter out into the city, Byron couldn’t help but grow saddened by what he saw. Evaluating himself, he thought about all of the devastation he had caused ....... All of the dead faces he had seen over his youthful years seemed to have been racing through his mind.
Reflecting · over the words of aunt Charlene, Ms. Diane, Nafeesa, Anteyvion and King Louie…....the mere memory of what happened to King Louie was enough to let him know he had to go. The poisonous venom of Chicago’s gangstas, pimps, hoes and dealers was becoming too much for him to accept. A better future is what Byron desired, but the only way to attain it was to escape Chiraq, Killinois.
As much as it hurt his heart, he knew departure was his only option. Spitting her pacifier out, little Camari began to cry out causing Byron to snap back into reality.
“Okay, baby just be patient,” he said. Figuring she was still antsy due to her .hunger, Byron knew he was almost home and would be able to tend to her in just a tad bit.
Approaching a stop sign, he came to a stop as Camari grew louder and louder with her screams. Growing alarmed, he reached over to check her head for a fever. At that moment, everything seemed to play out in slow motion, once the initial bullet came through the driver’s window.
The loud sound of shattering glass paled in comparison to the agonizing heat of the first burning bullet entering Byron’s shoulder. Unable to turn around, he looked out of the window at a masked Tracey preparing to unload from the passenger side.
“Nooo!” he cried out in fear for his screaming daughter.
Driver’s turned their vehicles in haste to get away from the horrific scene. Nigeria stood at the driver’s side unloading twin Glock .40’s, Kimbo aimed from the back window with his .357, and Tracey spared nothing from the passenger side as his Desert Eagle .45 howled in fury.
Once all men were empty, they raced back to their vehicle and screeched away down the road. Silence filled the car as Byron lay slumped over Camari’s car seat. Blood leaked from them both as consciousness began to slip away.
Desperately holding on, Byron’s eyes opened to the condition of his daughter. From that moment on nothing would ever be the same.
Epilogue
Gangs have been around forever under a multitude of different titles. From tribes, to nations to clubs, any form of like-minded individuals banding together under one collective organization’s name represents a gang.
The police force is a gang, the religious sects are gangs. Yet and still, the simple title Gang nowadays leaves a bad taste in many people’s mouths.
The reason is because of the senseless violence which is taking place in every city in America due to gang activity. Personally, I’ve never viewed gang members as a problem. The only impediment in which I’ve been able to find is the inability in the leadership to effectively lead. A gang’s aim is to be simple and plain.
What it is that you stand for? That is undoubtedly and unshakably what you represent.
Sadly, our generation of current represent materialism and the loyalty in which many, if not all, of these gangs profess is merely a word with no identity behind it.
Part 2 coming soon: Presented by Black Destiny Publications
Chiraq Killinois: Revenge and Redemption
The Interview
Patiently, I sat in a 10 by 8sq. ft. box, awaiting two young men for an interview. After hearing about these young Menaces to Society, I was compelled to sit down with them and get a glimpse into their minds.
Pulling my sleeve back a slight bit, I glanced at the time which read a tad past 1pm. I had only been there for a rough fifteen minutes, but the defeated spirits and hopeful wishes in which rests within prison walls, were enough to make my stay seem like an eternity.
Suddenly, the cold sounds of footsteps inter mingled with dragging chains could be heard, nearing my entrance. Finally, the two men respectively known as BG and Young had arrived.
Taking their seats, it appeared the pair was in as much observance of me, as I was of them.
BG seemed like the ordinary husky youth with a grimacing demeanor in which stemmed from the harsh realities of the street-life, although, Young was the kid you instantly took a second look at, tall and slim with countless tattoos scattered all over his face.
Simply looking at this young man you had to wonder about his mental stability. Without any pre-conceived notions, I pleasantly introduced myself and began to conduct our interview in which I have entitled: Gang Life’s Apostles.
1. HC: Where are you guys originally from?
BG: ATL Georgia!
Zone 6 to be exact
Young: New Jersey
2. HC: Which gang are you a representative of?
Young: Blood-set.....sex, money and murda (Proudly throws up
Gang- sign)
BG: (Gives young a look of displeasure before answering)
Currently, we consider ourselves an organization and not a gang. Gangs were basically a bunch of hoodlums that bang and set trip (translation: cause violence towards other gangs simply because they are other gangs) and above all we have no structure. (BG is known as a Gangsta Disciple)
3. HC: What led you to the gang life? (I instantly take note of the enthusiasm in Young’s face)
Young: The unity, colors, hand signs, drinking, parties and women affiliated with it! All of my people were involved so I naturally fell into the lifestyle.
BG: Being around people I genuinely felt cared and were trying to mold me into a positive person. All of my brothers were and are G’s!
4. HC: How old were each of you when you became members? BG: I was 10.
Young: 13
5. HC: What initiations usually take place to become a member?
BG: Different groups have different things that they do such as getting blessed in ...this is when you are among people who are in accordance and agree to let you become a member by their say so (considered by some as peons). You can get beat in too! This is where you get fought to see if you can, or how you would be able to hold your own, by other members. You end up fighting several members for several minutes. The last way is by putting in work because eventually you’ll have to anyway. This constitutes basically random acts of violence. From a female perspective they can get sexed in where all the members have sex with her. Its frowned upon for a chick to do that though.
Young: To be jumped in for 31 seconds by 3 to 5 members, voted in (blessed) by members who know you and vouch for your character. When it comes to our females, they
go through the same, but they are usually considered a member if they date a member, based on the couples discretion. (When asked about being sexed in he says, “No way!”)
6. HC: How were you initiated into the gang?
Young: Took my 31 seconds! It was nothing to me ... just a little fight resulting in a few bruises. At the end, I felt like I shed blood for my brothers and the love was there (looking off into a dazed stare he repeats himself) I knew there was no going back and the love was there.
BG: On all levels, besides the sex (he bursts into laughter alongside young before continuing.) My people wanted to be balanced all the way around the board. They wanted me to learn what it took to stand up for our organization like they did and not just become a member based on their recognition.
7. HC: What does the gang life mean to you?
Young: You have your ups and downs. The outlook overall is fucked up cause envy and jealousy take place between members when some start making more money than others. “Brotherly Love Over-rides Oppression and Destruction.” (B.L.O.O.D acronym) You don’t have to want because members are gonna provide for each other by any means. As far as I see, you just gotta know every blood ain’t ya’ blood, and some are just out for self.
BG: A way of life! You get out whatever you put in, but it’s basically for the improvement of the peop
le.
8. HC: What had the gang life done to help you?
BG: Educational wise it's a must to attain some form of education. Whether it be a GED or diploma or whatever. Shockingly, it is required to go further. I'm learning to play my position better. Right now, I have my GED and I am looking forward to taking college courses.
Young: Streetwise! This life taught me how to read characters quick, don't have to rely on others, made me a man because pops wasn't around and gave me the game that helps me fend for myself.
9. HC: what has the gang life done to hurt you? (the mood of both young men instantly becomes somber.)
BG: It gave me a cold heart towards a lot of things. It puts you in a position to where certain things are basically inhumane. You take on beastly-like traits in order to maintain in your environment.
Young: (pauses, as to contemplate where to begin) I can remember being late for meetings and getting violated (jumped by members) which caused physical pain. Seeing people get killed (he loses eye contact with me and lowers his gaze to the concrete floor) affected me emotionally at first, but now, it don't bother me so I guess I grew cold hearted too? I see that some brothers don't give a fuck about you so you be like fuck the world and try to look out for the real who do care.
10. HC: Why do you think children end up in gangs?
BG: In the past, kids may have looked up to certain gang members in their neighborhood due to the material status of these people. They wanted the same. Presently, I think it’s just a fad! It’s just, “Hey we deep! We can rep this set and do what we wanna do!”
Young: Like most situations, in my case, I just liked it. It excited me! In general people didn't have real families, moms strung out, etc. when they see everybody wearing one color standing on the same principles and prospering then you see it as a better way.
Chiraq Killinois (America's Nightmare) Page 5