Introduction
The formation of gangs for a specific, often violent purpose is the subject of research by sociologists concerned with studying behavioral functions in society. Researchers are interested in determining the influencing factors under which people join gangs. Bands emerge worldwide, and they share a typical behavior: taking over a particular area of terrain and controlling it. In addition, gang activities involve crime and violent behavior.
Gangs originated in America more than two hundred years ago, during the active migration of various nationalities to different parts of the continent. Gangs were prevalent among Latinos due to their low social standing and living in bad neighborhoods. Bands have developed their culture based on the gangs’ common ideas about behaving and what laws should be followed. Identifying the characteristics of each gang’s culture will allow for a deeper analysis of the social causes of gang behavior and an understanding of gang culture and how others view it. The research aims to examine the cultural characteristics that arise in gangs among Latinos.
Literature Review
The Emergence of Gangs among Latinos
The U.S. State Legislature defines a gang as a group of people who assemble for a particular purpose and operate in a specific area, most often using illegal means to control it. This definition fits virtually any gang or crew that exists today. American culture is relatively young, which is probably one reason gangs are so prevalent in America. The first gangs emerged at the end of the 18th century, first as an extension of revolutionary movements, then becoming isolated and forming their ideals to guide their members. The gangs’ rules were not prescribed but passed on by word of mouth, and in case of non-compliance, various punishments could be applied to gang members.
Latin American gangs are a particular type of gangs formed during World War II and quickly invaded the southern coast of America. The main reason for the mass migration was undoubtedly the bad conditions after the war and the desire to find new territory to live and work in. But the market was overcrowded with white and black people, and Latinos could not find their place in the sun. Poverty reigned in neighborhoods, transforming communities into clearly divided territories of different gangs. Gang processes were rapid, people banded together to survive, and their activities became increasingly criminal.
Drugs and weapons became more readily available, and given the peculiarities of Mexican culture, the drug market only benefited. Drugs peaked in the 1980s when the market was so working and functional that young Hispanics joined the gangs. Different nations and races probably participated in shaping it at some point.
Hispanic gangs are believed to be the most significant gangs, capable of controlling large areas. They originated in prison settings (members of southern street gangs), under the influence of ancient lineages (the Mexican Mafia in northern California), in protest against high taxes (the “green lighters” group). This list could be added to because the gangs continue to rise endlessly, and at the moment, more than 70,000 people are involved in gang criminal activity. The best-known gangs in the United States are such prominent organizations as the Latin Kings, the Mara Salvatrucha, and the 18th Street gang.
All gangs are engaged in drug trafficking and consist of Latin Americans. Currently, these three organizations fill Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Smaller gangs are usually subordinate to one of the three gangs, which often leads to confrontations and violent actions. Gangs are a current problem in American society and continue to control the drug market and organized criminal activity.
Traditional Gang Behavior Patterns
Every adult in the world can characterize behavior in criminal organizations. Criminologists call the development of norms of behavior, values in the group, the role of the individual participant as a leader, the presence of hierarchy, and the distribution of social roles as signs of an organized group. The principles of order, acquisition of status through violent acts, and all illegal activities committed by the group are traditionally considered.
Violent actions emerged in Latin American groups as a result of the political problems of the regions. Lack of security from the white population and compatriots led to the prevalence of conflict zones, isolated areas where gang clashes occur. High rates of homicide and crime based on nationality are a hallmark of all of Latin America, which inevitably led to migration to neighboring regions and a shift of “white” gangs to national gangs. Gangs have become a social phenomenon that constantly captures media attention, encouraging crews, especially among young people.
The hierarchical principles of gangs among Hispanics are generally like other organized crime gangs. The group leader is the most influential person who has authority in society due to his past actions: robberies, violence, and leadership. Such behavior determines the hierarchical attitudes of the gang and structures it according to the principle of subordination of weak people to strong ones. In addition, hierarchy usually allows for gang resources: money, weapons, cars, and women. The youth gangs that emerge among Latinos do not have strict hierarchical principles since they are more progressive than their predecessors. It does not change the fact that young people are now becoming the center of conflicts: the media regularly report on violence among young gangs.
Illegal gang activity is represented by robbery, drug trafficking, fights and murders, trafficking in weapons and other illicit products, fraud, and prostitution. Each of these activities is prosecuted, but gangs can pay off the police and raid the police. Hispanics are very sensitive about notions of “family”: more often than not, gangs are not related, but principles of community guide them. There are usually several postulates in place to test the loyalty of new gang members, so it is pretty challenging to get out of them as well. Virtually all issues are resolved through violent action involving weapons for a “fair” fight if necessary.
Drug trafficking and prostitution are relevant markets in the Latin American community, causing high mortality rates among the population and directly harming the domestic economy and society. Such problems result from the increased demand for “goods” in drugs and women (also young children). Regularly, in unsafe areas of American states (Chicago or New York), police find the mutilated bodies of people who have crossed the road with gangs. Among the reasons for this violence: is the failure to pay the gangs’ made-up taxes on goods, generally withholding payment for goods, mistreatment of people by women, the effects of drugs, and many others.
Thus, there are three main principles at the center of behavioral functions in gangs. First, there is violence carried out against many people from other gangs during scuffles or against ordinary people. Second, it is the hierarchy, which is realized by achieving some meaningful criminal outcome. Third, it is an illegal activity in drug dealing, prostitution, child trafficking, and robbery.
Cultural Values Promoted In Various Gangs
Culture as a concept is defined on two planes: on the one hand, it is an area of practices that have been applied throughout the group’s life experience, and on the other, it is a set of high moral images. For criminal activity, morality is a fuzzy concept that is usually turned a blind eye and criticized. This is so since crimes of murder or robbery, even in the name of a good cause, are challenging to call a highly artistic act. Nevertheless, each gang promotes its values or precepts that must guide its members to be in a band. These may be certain behaviors, communication traits, language markers, special weapons, or refusals to do something.
Hispanics represent the most significant minority in the Americas: they are thought to be about 60 million. Most of them are of Mexican origin, about 10% are Puerto Rican, and Dominicans, Cubans, and Salvadorans represent small groups. Only three gangs are considered the biggest Latin gangs: MR-13 (Mara Salvatrucha), Latin Kings, and 18th Street gand. These gangs have the most significant influence on the criminal world in America and other states, in which small “departments” and characteristics of crime have been recorded. This is not to say that gangs organized by black people are less influential and do not receive publicity. However, it is the Hispanic gangs that get more attention for assessing the cultural strata of society.
Culture of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
MS-13 is an organized criminal gang operating in Central and North America (mainly the United States, El Salvador, and Mexico). MS-13 is the fastest-growing and most brutal street gang, with the size of the criminal syndicate reaching up to 300,000 people, according to various estimates (40,000 were recorded in the U.S.). Nevertheless, the official data received from the law enforcement agencies state only about 15 thousand in the USA. Among types of criminal business dominate trade (drugs, weapons, people), robbery and racketeering, murders and kidnappings, fraud, and pimping. MS-13 expresses homage to the La Eme Mexican Mafia and is active in prison settings. The gang’s most considerable profits come from meditating in the drug trade and from taxes on the right to sell drugs to other people in the syndicate’s territory.
MS-13 originated in Los Angeles among immigrants from El Salvador because of the civil wars in their native country. Salvadorans formed groups and gradually expanded their activities in response to violence from black gangs and the 18th Street Gang. Despite the mass expulsion of gang members, MS-13 became more violent because of the clash with Salvadoran tradition. Between 2000 and 2005, there were highly publicized crimes: the murder of Brenda Paz, the shooting of a bus in response to plans to impose the death penalty, and the attack on rival teams in prisons. Currently, the band is credited with brutal murders with distinctive beheadings and the trafficking of women to support imprisoned followers.
The range of criminal activity is concentrated in California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and other U.S. states. Smaller units are called “cliques” and report to bosses from Central America. The main ally in the drug business is the Sinaloa cartel, which controls the supply of cocaine. The rival parties are the M18 street gangs, Playboys, the 18th Street gang, Los Negroes, and the Black Shadow.
Gangs have their subcultural characteristics and distinctive behavioral traits by which police are most likely to recognize criminals. Among the internal cultural mechanisms of the band are the brutal principles of joining a gang. Newcomers are beaten for 13 seconds by the most influential people in the “cliques,” and if they hold out successfully, they are initiated into the gang. After that, the newcomers secure their position by killing the enemy and then making a profit. The “Code of honor” of the group consists of following the rules in dress and behavior: Nike sneakers, blue and white clothing, and a tattoo with devil horns. In case of non-compliance with duties, a “control trial” occurs, resulting in sentences. The most common crimes within gangs are leaving, betrayal, and cooperation with the authorities.
The outward signs are ruthless violence with torture and murder, including gang rape and cutting off body parts while the enemy is still alive. Shootings of civilians and confrontations with armed police units are also characteristic. MS-13 slogans related to God are often used, referring to the fact that one can possess everything God does not keep. To facilitate non-verbal communication during arrests or crimes, the gang uses “lumping,” its style of body language. Despite law enforcement’s active struggle with the gang, MS-13’s influence remains strong and pressures the community.
Culture of Latin Kings
The Latin Kings, unlike MS-13, are a more organized gang, with about 60,000 gang members in America. The gang originated in the 1940s in New York among low-income families and is predominantly made up of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. It operates in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles and is a severe competitor to MS-13. Unlike other gangs, the Latin Kings have a more detailed history of formation: in 1954, Ramon Santos and other Puerto Ricans formed a movement to fight racial discrimination. The Chicago faction calls itself the “Almighty Latin King of the Nation.” In 1986, Luis “King Blood” Filipe, who drafted the ALKQN faction manifesto while incarcerated in a correctional center, formed the second King faction. From that point on, the section expands considerably, and although there is no central leadership, many small “branches” exchange information and call themselves kings. It is believed that there are two Supreme Incas who cannot be contradicted.
Central to criminal activity is drug dealing, pimping, racketeering, and arms trafficking. The gang is not particularly violent, although it commits murders and participates in many robberies with shootings. Kings are a haven for many teenagers who can’t find their home – protection, attention, and involvement in something significant. The newcomers are put through multiple strength tests, doing small jobs, and not always violent ones. The gang pays homage to traditional criminal modes of income: theft and dealing.
Latin Kings have their own King’s Council, which establishes the rules and regulations and holds meetings with disciplinary action. When laws are violated, information is gathered on the participant, evidence is analyzed, and a sentence is handed down. Among the non-bodily punishments are usually fines, probation, mop-up, and suspension. Corporal punishments are traditional: beatings for an indefinite amount of time, three-minute and five-minute physicals (beating 3-5 participants), and TOS – stop on sight, signifying death.
The organizational structure of the Kings is a subject of interest to the general public because it is a valuable source for determining the cultural and religious paths of the future. The ideology of the gang has been called “Kingism,” and the Manifesto of Rules is a kind of bible and a way to get to the light. The Manifesto has three cycles of a nation’s life: in the first, the warrior king is impulsive and undergoes a stage of immaturity; in the second, he grows tired of his former life and retires indefinitely; in the third, the king is visited by awareness and emerges from his limitations. After that, the warrior king sees his goal as a struggle against a system of social injustice and inequality.
Culture of the 18th Street gang
The 18th Street gang is based in California and is considered a well-organized gang that originated as a street gang in the Rampart neighborhood of Los Angeles. The ethnic makeup is predominantly Mexican, with over 30,000 members. The gang is believed to have about 200 affiliates created by the foot migration of other members. In Oregon, for example, the gang has taken over most neighborhoods and continues to grow. There is evidence that 18th Street operates in 11 countries, and the gangs themselves have both female and purely male branches. No more than a decade ago, the gang struck a truce with MS-13, which did not establish small group attacks against each other.
Like other gangs, this one has its code of rules, particularly brutal against followers and enemies. For participants, the most common punishment is an 18-second beating or execution of severe misdemeanors. The participants themselves identify with the number 18, so a distinctive external feature is the multiple tattoos, including on the face. They mainly use three sixes or two nines, blue and black elements of tattoos with the devil, and the brands’ logos of the participants’ clothes. The blue color of clothing is associated with respect for the Mexican Mafia, thus trying to pull many MS-13 allies.
Characteristically, 18th Street attracts many young people: increasingly, high school and middle school teenagers join the gang. More youthful children whose parents are band members are also more likely to join the gang after reaching a certain age. Moreover, if parents do not take orders from the leaders, the children always act as a method of revenge. In this regard, the gang correlates with MS-13 in terms of brutality. However, murders are not considered their way of making money; it is often drug and weapon trafficking, assault, robbery, and kidnapping for the mafia. Gang members are believed to rob the people of Los Angeles every day, often accompanied by bloodshed.
Conclusion
Thus, the study identified the behavioral characteristics of Hispanic gangs and their culture. It was found that they are led by the principle of hierarchy and obedience to a code that regulates gang behavior. For MS-13, the code of honor and the characteristic 13-second violence against newcomers is at the head. For Latin King, it is the King’s Court and strict disciplinary punishments. The 18th Street gang is ruthless and applies discipline to gang members and all family members. All three gangs compete with each other for territory rights and trade in drugs, guns, and women.
The study included a theoretical component through a literature review and a methodological part according to police statistical reports. Nevertheless, the seriousness of the topic and the difficulty of identifying gang behavior at the crime scene imposed limitations on the study. For example, it is limited by the analysis of gang members’ tattoos or minor subcultural features. In addition, police reports are always challenging to obtain, so more time is needed to prepare statistical information. Nevertheless, the study has prospects for development, especially if we connect the analysis of the specificity of the indigenous Hispanic culture and the influence of the Spanish language on gang cultures.