davonc said:
Before i began to research my Topic i did a freewrite on what i already knew about the Black Disciples. “ Black disciples is a street gang originated In Chicago, Illinois. Not sure who started it but i know it was created in the 1960’s & is still represented til this day. Chicago always seemed more violent than other cities due to the stories i hear from my father, news, music , etc. I'm interested in Learning about this gang because the upcoming rapper who i listen to the most who was just signed to interscope records ‘Chief Keef’ is associated with this gang, he speaks of it in his music. Chief keef is from chicago where the gang was originated. Gang life is a big deal to people in chicago, it is in new york but in chicago there are far more deaths from shootings, not from grown men but young men ages 14-21. The black disciples now have created their own literature & strayed away from the original Black disciple teachings. Rapper chief keef & his clique use ‘#300 or 3hunna’ as a reference to the black disciples. in my research i want to learn to original teachings. “
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I read a Wikipedia article: Black Disciples. (2012, November 4). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:49, November 5, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Black_Disciples&oldid=521298467
One sentence from this article that stands out for me is: “The Black Disciples are part of the alliance of street gangs but are known to engage in violence with other Folk Nation gangs such as the Gangster Disciples.“ I think this is interesting because these gangs originally supposed to be alliances but they strayed away from the original teachings so now they are rivalries. This is true Because of Chief Keefs, who is a Black Disciple, had a rivalry with rapper Lil Jojo who is a gangster disciple and they made dis records to each other. Another sentence that I read was under Recent History: "Since they follow the original doctrine of David Barksdale they consider themselves the only true Disciples, as all other gangs have created their own literature and strayed from the original teachings." This stood out to me because just like many other gangs that have been relevant for over 2 decades have strayed away from original teachings and have their own way of doing things.
“The Black Disciples are part of the alliance of street gangs but are known to engage in violence with other Folk Nation gangs such as the Gangster Disciples" I double checked this fact through http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangster_Disciples which makes me feel pretty sure that this is true. What I learned from this article is that even though the Black disciples were created in chicago there are members in Other parts of Illinois, Milwaukee, Miami, Minnesota, California, New York, Atlanta, Detroit, Texas, Ohio, and Colorado. Also, I didn't know the originals members engaged in criminal activities such as prostitution, embezzlement, money laundering, and racketeering. Other activities such as gun and drug trafficking, and theft are a giving simply because the fact is a gang and all gangs commit these crimes.
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I’m learning more about the Black Disciples right now and in particular what i'm wondering about is, where there females members of the black disciples? I was researching my question online, and this blog caught my attention because it had a section where there talk specifically about female involvement in the black disciples. Nothing in particular made me choose this specific source, i was just browsing. “Leadership positions are, in theory, open to women. However, no women are known to have had major positions in the BDs over a long period of time.” Knox, G. (2004) GANG THREAT ANALYSIS: The Black Disciples . National Gang Crime Research Center, [blog] Available at: http://www.ngcrc.com/bdprofile.html [Accessed: 13th February 2013]. The quote i chose here is basically saying that, not only where there female members of the Black Disciples but leadership or positions of power in the gang were available to these women. But no women were known to have major positions. I think this is interesting because females had the opportunity to have higher ranking in the Black Disciples, It makes me wonder why there aren't any famous females members and what did the female members do for the gang.
Another question about the Black Disciples that i'm wondering about is: “How did the black disciples maintain discipline in their gang?”. I was researching this question online, and this blog caught my attention because a specific section of a analysis was titled “RITUALIZED VIOLENCE: MAINTAINING INTERNAL DISCIPLINE”. The Black Disciples are typical in this respect: the members face "violations" for conduct or behavior that is a threat to the social solidarity of the gang organization. The "rules" of this gang are clear, and in writing. Members who violate internal rules face a type of ritualized, violent, punishment in front of other members of the same gang. This punishment occurs at the “meetings” of the gang. I think this was disciplinary for majority of the members because no one actually wanted to receive a violation. It makes me wonder since they were so many members how often did members receive violations, or if a violation lead to one member killing another because the seriousness of their actions.
i also wondered “Who where The black disciples main rivalries during the time David barksdale (leader of black disciples) was building his empire?”. I was researching this question online,and this blog caught my attention because it said specifically who were the black disciples rivalries.
“Within a short amount of time the Devil's Disciples began to war with the Black Stone Rangers. The Rangers were growing in power rapidly, this was one main reason Barksdale formed the Disciple Nation. In order to get money Barksdale set up fundraising parties on the corner of 63rd and Maryland. The money raised was to be used for the Nation's illegal activities. Around this time Larry Hoover was leading the Supreme Gangsters and created the Gangster Nation. Both gangs were trying to grow into power and control the Englewood streets; therefore, they began to war with each other. Mainly it was a three way war between the Black Disciple Nation and the Gangster Nation and the Black Stone Rangers.” Zook (1960) ChicagoGangs.org Website. [online] Available at: http://chicagogangs.org/index.php?pr=BDN [Accessed: 13 Feb 2013]. This quote I choose here is basically saying that it was mainly a three way war between the Black Disciple Nation and the Gangster Nation and the Black Stone Rangers. They were all growing in power & recruiting members and trying to control power in the Englewood section of Chicago, Illinois. I think this conflict is regretful because these are the same gangs that are still around til this day. It makes me wonder why people still join these gangs, because these gangs no longer are making money with each other by joining like they once were in the beginning. Chicago has a higher murder rate this year then the soldiers murdered in overseas in iraq. People are being killed just because, and chicago is now the most gang related city in the united states.
The rest of my collage essay i was discussing a book that i read called “Down these mean streets” by Piri Thomas, which is basically a autobiography . Previously i talk about the Black disciples even though they aren't connected in many ways. Early in the book Piri talks about his life as a pre-teen trying to fit into new neighborhoods. Trying to fit in leads to him joining a gang called “The TNTs”. The members are only 12-13 years old and this was much earlier before the black disciples so there was no gun usage, this is one of the very few ways the book is connected to the Black disciples Another way the book is connected to the Black disciples is that Piri, like the early members of the black disciples, sold drugs to keep money in their pocket.
The first ten chapters of “Down these mean streets” by Piri Thomas might leave a reader feeling kind of tense because of the prejudiceness/racism of some the characters. A example of this is on page 24. “Hey, you,” he said, “What nationality are ya?” I looked at him and wondered which nationally to pick. And one of his friends said, “Ah Rocky, he’s black enuff to be a nigger. Ain’t that what you is kid?” My voice was almost shy in its anger, “I'm Puerto Rican” This is racist because a group of characters where referring to the main character as a “nigger” which is one of the most disrespectful names to call a african american, he wasn't even black, at that.
We learn something interesting about one of the characters, Piri on page 30 where it says: “i could feel a thin hot wetness cutting itself down my leg. I had been so ashamed of being so damned scared that i had peed on myself. And then i wasn't scared anymore; i felt a fuck-it-all attitude. i looked real bad at rocky and said “ya heard me, I wouldn't be a guinea on a bet”. This is not typical of how this character acts in the book, so far. He often seem to be intimidated by the neighborhood bullies, but this day after he was insulted he insulted the bullies right back instead of cowering showing he was tired of being harassed. He was now standing up for himself and being brave.
After this part of the book, most readers will be looking forward to reading the book because now that he stood up the his neighborhood bullies, the bullies respected him more and wanted to befriend him. What's probably going to happen next is that Piri will become friends with the bullies regardless of their racial differences because the bullies now respected him. Regardless of Piri now not being a target for the bullies, the bullies are still not a good crowd to be around so now that they are friends he might get into some trouble.
As I began reading further into the book, The last time i read it threw me off because the main character Piri and his friends had their first experience smoking marijuana. What through me off was that fact they were smoking with homosexuals & the night ending with Piri and his friends having sex and and piri receiving oral sex with the gay men they were smoking with. Made me not even want to read the book any further but i have too to finish my credit (freewrite).
The 11th chapter of “Down these means streets” by Piri Thomas might leave a reader feeling anxious. Reason why you might feel worried is because Piri doesn't feel comfortable outside of Harlem so instead of moving with his family to Long Island he is now sleeping in the streets of Harlem on his own and he is only 16. A example of this is on page 95. "I had been away from home maybe three months, knocking around, sleeping in cold hallways, hungry a lot of the time, the fucking heart was going out of me.” This gives the reader a sense of worry because the fact that Piri has a home to go to in Long island but he would rather be in Harlem. I wouldn't want to sleep in cold hallways, starve, or be away from my family simply because i was afraid to change habitats.
A reader’s questions might start on page 96 where it says “Hey, kid, what's your name again?” “Piri--some guys call me Johnny.” “Have you got a place to sleep?” “Uh-uh” I said. I made a mental list of the places I had slept since I had left home---friends pads at the beginning with relatives until the welcome was overdrawn, then rooftops, under the stairs, basements, stoops, parked cars. “Well, we ain't got much room, but you're welcome to share itC” Pane said “You gotta sleep on the floor, cause all we got is one room for lorry, her kids and me” “Crazy man, thanks a lot” I said. I almost felt my luck was going to change. This is important because because Piri is now homeless and for the first he is away from his family on his own. Its surprising that they took piri into their home because they Have but so much room for Piri, Pane, Lorry and her kids. The author seems to be making the point that Maybe Piris luck might change, maybe things will begin to go his way.
After this part of the book, most readers probably will be looking forward to reading the rest of this book because the reader will be curious to see if piris luck will begin to benefit him. What's probably going to happen next is he might find a job, and be able to support himself with the help of Pane and Lorry providing him with a place to stay.
As i read further in the book piri is now returning from his travels from “down south” now with a strong hate for white people because of his racial experiences in the south. Piri started to use drugs hard, i wonder if his addiction showed in his face sometimes you can tell when a fein is strung out or addicted to a drug. earlier in the book i never thought by the time i reached the the high chapters that piri will become a fein.
The 21st chapter of “Down these mean streets” by Piri Thomas might leave a reader feeling sympathetic, because Piri always feels the need to belong or be accepted he allowed his friends to turn him into a junky. An example of this is on page 200. I made it back to Harlem after that, back to hallways, rooftops, and amigos pads__and back to real drugs. Heroin does a lot for me__and its all bad. It becomes your whole life once you allow it to sink its white teeth in your bloodstream. I never figured on getting hooked all the way. This is sad because i didn't want or expect to see Piri turn into a heroin addict.
So far, the theme and main character Piri in ”Down these mean streets” might remind a reader of the story in another book. In Scorpions by Walter Dean Myers the Main character, similar to Piri in “Down these means streets”, does things to fit in that leads him into trouble. Both Piri and Jamal both “feel the need to belong”. Interesting fact is that both boys are from Harlem.
After this part of the book, most readers probably will be looking forward to reading the rest of this book because like I, another reader might hope that Piri kicks this bad habit and do something that can lead to him living a better life. What's probably going to happen next is maybe Piri might die in the streets because of his addiction, his addiction might lead him to doing something dumb that will end with him in jail. If he goes to jail that'll be better then him dead because then he can kick his drug habit and focus on making a better life for himself.
Piri is now in jail after killing a cop during a robbery that wasn't to set him straight for a long time. Piri is shot also, but when he wasn't aware he shot a cop till after he was arrested. the cop lived. Piri is sentenced to 5-15 years in prison. In prison his courage is tested by other inmates. he came close to fighting a couple of times but before he could actually fight he was transferred to another prison. after having his paroled denied piri spends another couple years in jail. after a visit from his family he then finds out the love of his life trina is now married. it angers him but he also mentions he told her not to wait for him. after 15 years Piri was released from prison but he was arrested the same day for warrants from robberies he committed prior to shooting a cop. ten after a while is officially released and given 3 years of probation. He runs into trina But they don't have much to say to each other then he runs into another friend who is now a junky.
The final ten chapters of “Down these mean streets” by Piri Thomas might leave a reader feeling hopeful because even though he has made mistakes in the past Piri has time to think about it in jail and he is maturing. An example of this is on page 298. “Learning had made me painfully aware of life and me. I began to dig what was inside of me. What had i been? How had i become that way? What could i be? How could i make it?” This is important because throughout the whole book Piri is on a quest to find his identity. Early in the book with his struggles with his color and ethnicity and the ending where he is in prison, he studied and practiced the teaching of muslim faith. So far, the characters in “Down these mean streets” might remind a reader of the characters in “The corner” . In “The corner” the character ,DeAndre McCullough , just Like Piri always feels the need to be accepted which gets him in trouble. he was the son of two addicts and was going up in Baltimore, Maryland. He was in a gang and the gang sold drugs to keep money in their pocket. After a while he began to use the drugs he sold and it lead to him going to Prison. After this part of the book, most readers probably will be looking forward to reading another book by Piri Thomas because of his ability to tell a great story. Even tho this is a autobiography he makes the story interesting by ability to tell a story and delivery.
By doing research on Black disciples, and reading “Down these mean streets” by Piri thomas I've learned that research effects experience. I learned about topics about the The Black Disciples, which “Down these mean streets” didn't really teach me anything , at first i didn't like the book but when i was finished i realized enjoyed reading it.
My Dialectical Notes
-https://docs.google.com/a/bronxbash.com/document/d/1wXeLDmo5Bv_6oTCQwhQLerQaGiZE-YMjY9oVNlLnF2M/edit
My Posts on The Black Disciples:
-http://youthvoices.net/discussion/black-disciples
-http://youthvoices.net/discussion/reclaiming-your-topic-black-disciples
