After recently viewing a documentary on the origins of the gang related violence in L.A., entitled "Crips and Bloods: Made in America", it has become abundantly clear how class and socioeconomic placement within a society has so many roots in history based on race exclusivity and exclusion. Using the example of the gang wars in California, beginning in the mid 1960's it immediately becomes apparent that the white Californian population did all within their power to place black individuals and communities at a disadvantage. Into the 1990's the conflict rose to such monumental proportions that the death toll is grew to thousands upon thousands. This was originally initiated by the young black males simply wanting to be accepted into society and joining groups such as boy scouts. Due to their blackness, and labeled inferiority, this was not permitted. This in turn began the formations of groups, where blacks could be accepted by their peers. These were NOT gangs.
The white authorities in California at this time can be seen as the instigators of this violence. This debilitating gang war has overtime created such a staggering class divide, that was not necessarily dominant before. An article by Christina Clarke et. al., entitled "Racial and social class gradients in life expectancy in contemporary California" illustrates the life expectancy of 'African American' males within this setting is comparable to those within developing countries. This, contrasted with the high average life expectancy of both black and whites from other locals and classes is astonishing.
For anyone to push out of this life is extremely difficult. Avoiding both the violence and poverty is so hard when all aspects of life seem to be pulling you back.
There does seem to be a large push by former gang members of the past generation to work towards education and mentoring of young children. It must be a group effort, and one that has seen a tentative truce between these gangs, for racial and class borders to be broken down.
