11. HC: How do you feel about the epidemic of gang violence?
Young: I wish all different organizations would come together and get some unity. I was a peon that had to toughen up because the streets were tough. It’s terrible, but these days people ain’t dying over colors ... it’s more about respect and disrespect. Everything watered down now.
BG: It’s really all about nothing; senseless fighting without a cause. If you take two gangs and they’re fighting, you sit them down and ask what brought the fight about, neither side could tell you ...it’s dumb!
12. HC: Have you ever witnessed a fellow member of your gang commit an act of violence in which you disagreed with?
BG: Of course! I've seen people jumped on, stabbed and shot for no reason. It put me in a position where I felt like things are getting out of hand. You begin to look at people differently.
Young: On numerous occasions. My former O.G. "Dynamite" (top dawg status) got someone beat half to death for simply chillin’ by his baby’s mother house! Dynamite suspected the guy was fucking her, but he was also a Blood. I felt it was just abusing his authority.
13. HC: In the name of your gang, have you ever acted violently?
Young: Several times because I feel if someone disrespects what I stand on then they bring it upon they self. I never hurt anybody for no reason.
BG: Yes, for the cause I do. If one of my people go then I have to go whether I agree or not. I try to resolve things first, but if it can't be handled that way ...then it is what it is.
14. HC: Do you regret any act of violence that you've done for your gang?
BG: To a certain degree. I look back at a lot that I've done, and not knowing what I know now, it appears I lost focus on the fact that we were supposed to be bettering ourselves to become a better society in general.
Young: (long pause and awkward silence) I regret robbing for me and my people to have something to eat and shooting somebody because I was told they disrespected. It was a he say she say situation and looking back, I regret it ‘cause it want worth it.
15. HC: What do you think is the problem with gangs as a whole?
BG: No guidance or leadership. Too many Indians trying to be chiefs! All these guys do is follow no matter who or what is leading and leading them to.
Young: The corporate world and straight laced citizens just view us as thugs, but we trying to provide for our families. Gangs don’t have enough loyalty though, and make the organization look bad as a whole. We feed into the stereotypes of these thugs the outsiders perceive us as
.
16. HC: Do you think that if more gang leaders moved in a positive direction that the gangs would follow?
Young: Of course! The reason being is that a lot of members want to be like those they follow in these positions of power. That alone would cause them to mimic their actions. Positive leaders equal positive followers.
BG: Whatever you plant, if you nurture and take care of it like you're supposed to then it will grow into what it is intended to be, but if you neglect it then it grows how it chooses to grow which may be wild and untamable.
17. HC: Do you feel the gang life has become commercialized through mainstream media?
BG: Hell yeah! Muthafucka’s getting tats on their faces (young shoots BG an ugly look that BG fails to notice as he continues) wearing outrageous tight ass colorful clothing, and it’s all just publicity now from my point of view!
Young: In a lot of ways, yes. Everything you turn on the TV there goes a gang member. It makes me angry because these guys are in positions to educate the youth, but in all, kids just see that they are affiliated with this and they partners are affiliated with that so now they wanna be something; a lost tribe and a cursed generation.
18. HC: How has your particular gang affiliations contributed to society?
BG: Turn on the TV and look at Obama! (bursts into laughter) It’s the picture that's being painted. We’re trying to gain ground in politics and every other aspect of making the world change for the better. We have outreach programs, indigent lawyer firms and the list goes on! The individuals who make up this organization are not all of the guys that you see out in the streets wilding! We’re trying to reach back and get those guys out of that lifestyle and see better days.
Young: I’ve seen top dawgs giving kids money for food, passing out school supplies and taking in a lot of people saving them from having to live in homeless shelters. We ain’t all bad!
19. HC: If you could go back, would you still be a gang member?
· Young: No! (me and BG are both shocked) it’s just not right. It’s too much negativity on all sides. I view it as evil now.
BG: Of course I would! Experience is the best teacher. You have to learn by going through things and my affiliations have taught me lessons whether I was right or wrong. I wish I could've done some things differently though.
20. HC: If you could tell a youth whom is considering joining a gang a valuable piece of advice, what would it be?
BG: I would say don't do it. The concept has become so misconstrued to where in society, or behind the scenes the setup has been designed for people to fall. Everything has become violence now, so either you prey or become preyed upon. Therefore, the best advice I would give to a youngsta is to do your own thing. Get you a little money, stack it, get your education and see how far you can go.
Young: Stay in school, do the right thing and realize that you can end up on a milk carton living this life. Ain’t nothin’ like being solo, hell, I’d be a Muslim now if I could turn back. (laughing he turns away at the wall and suddenly stops as to ponder whether or not that isn’t such a bad idea.)
Unfortunately, a prison riot broke out two weeks after I conducted this interview. Other gangs and security staff were involved, yet both BG and Young lost their lives in the melee. Conflicted in life, I only pray that they find peace in death. May God show us all the way…. ...and save us from America’s nightmare.
Chiraq Killinois (America's Nightmare) Page 6