Street Respect - The Gangster Mentality
I’m not going to get into the history of gangster mentality or street respect, but will offer my personal experience instead. One of the most corroded aspects of modern society is this attitude of street respect. It’s all over the United States, and if it’s not near your house, you are one of the lucky ones. It’s common for a street thug to murder someone just for calling him a name or “disrespecting” him. It is the ultimate act of cowardice and stupidity, and is so widespread, your kids could easily fall prey to or even become one of them.
Look at Hollywood California, home of movie stars and dreams. In between all the night lights and glitter is a violent street life that is festering like a virus. The A&E television network has a show called Gangland, which takes an intense look at street gangs and how they live. While I appreciated the program, it does glorify the gang banging, drug dealing life style. Imagine how proud some of the gangsters were to see themselves on TV. They should only be shown as vermin, not as some kind of underworld heroes. When you’re dealing with criminals who see going to prison for murdering a cop as a rite of passage to be proud of, how can you deal with them?
The Politics
There’s a huge political war in America. I’m not talking about the one between republicans and democrats, I’m talking about the one between constitution loving, liberty loving people versus the entire political system. This is where the conundrum lies. Politically, I am more of a libertarian than anything else, but when it comes to gangs and street violence, it’s difficult to know where I stand.
Should gang members have the same rights as everyone else? Remember, these people actually want to go to jail to up their reputation and street credit, so normal punishment doesn’t work. It’s much more difficult to solve a gangland murder than it is a normal murder.
The Hells Angels motorcycle gang has it’s wretched hooks in Washington, and it goes way up the ladder. They own judges and are involved in illegal arms and drugs on an international scale. On one hand, I want everyone to have equal rights; on the other I think gangs should all be absolutely illegal. If you’re in a gang, you go to prison for 25 years just for being in one. If that were a law, I wouldn’t mind it, even though I am for liberty and freedom. You can’t just be free to do whatever you want, especially if it is violent and destroys society. Then again, I think our own government displays a gangster like persona.
Take Care of Your Own Back Yard
The way I see it, I have to protect myself. There are home invasions all the time where I live. They break in, rape the women and murder the men. You can’t call the police if you’re dead. I have the right to keep and bear arms, and I exercise that right. We can play around the subject, but I’m talking about the cold reality of violence. Maybe you live a comfortable life and have never seen violence up close - rest assured, it does exist and not just on TV.
Some people believe that guns should be illegal. That is the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard in my entire life. If that were law, the only people with guns would be the criminals. If someone breaks into my home, they will be blown in half…period. I will not hesitate, not for a microsecond. I will protect my family and friends, and might not have the option or opportunity to call the police in a moment of crisis. I have the right to defend myself.
Let’s get realistic about this and face the absolute truth. To trust that a criminal won’t kill you, you are being foolish. I’m not willing to bet my life on being given a pass by some crazed punk, I will take care of it myself.
I lived downtown in Phoenix Arizona for a year, and it was in a really bad area. I didn’t own a car and had to walk to work 5 miles there and back every day. When I got off work, I walked home at night around 9:00 pm. I wore a suit and looked out of place among all the gangsters and prostitutes which crawled the entire area.
I carried a .44 magnum (just like Dirty Harry) and a big, razor sharp knife. One night as I walked down the sidewalk, I saw around 100 gang members walking towards me (they all looked around 18 years old). The ones in front had heavy chains in their hands - I guess to beat someone to death with. Because of experience, I was able to quickly spot the leaders and which ones would attack first (the ones you shoot first to establish dominance).
I had a cocked gun in my hand, which was in my jacket where they couldn’t see it. Instead of stepping aside, I walked directly through the middle of them with a scowl on my face. The horde of gangsters parted like the red sea. They weren’t stupid, and neither was I. They knew I had something as displayed by my posturing. Nothing happened. I must tell you, if something had, I would’ve killed at least 6 of them and been killed myself.
The lesson is this: if you act scared or timid, you are asking for trouble in the streets. I’m not going to write a bunch of handy gangster tips like, “Stay away from high traffic drug areas at night,” but you do need common sense. In this country, where I don’t trust cops, the government or our entire judicial system to protect me; I have to take care of and defend myself. You should learn to do the same.
Some may say I have lowered my standards and become no better than the gangsters themselves. I disagree 100%. I am not a criminal, I don’t sell or use drugs and I don’t rob people. I mind my own business and don’t intrude on others.
If faced with a murderous thug, I will TCB as the Hell’s Angels motto goes…take care of business.
Don’t take me the wrong way, I am against violence and certainly don’t want anything to ever happen. I love my life and am a kind person; however, I am not naive when it comes to reality. If you buy a gun, take professional lessons and learn gun safety. Keep them away from children and really respect their power. Women should especially learn to use a gun because they are usually not physically able to fight off a male attacker. This is America and you have the right to live safely.
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I don’t have a lot to say about this post in particular, i’m actually just writing in to let you know that I read your blog everyday and love what you have to say and how you say it, whether I agree all the time or not : )
Great work, come check out my blog sometime if you want, it’s politics/personal/relationship/everything under the sun/moon/stars. - Zen Lill
This makes a lot of sense to me. I am all for not starting violence, but I think if it is aimed at me then I should be able to defend myself.
One needs to go through life bravely, there are challenges that we all need to face in order to stay ourselves. In a way I am proud that I have managed to stay functional and to have an active role in society in spite of the fact that I am a war survivor and that the things that I had been through, during the most sensitive, my teenage years did not break my back or make a scapegoat of me. I know what crime in States means, I had a chance to visit gethos and dangerous places. Once during my stay in L. A., in an hotel close to the airport - the biggest problem for me was to get across the street at a grocery store. Every time I would try to go there there were at least a couple of junkies asking for money. But again I think that the States are the great place because of the variety of people and living stiles. I miss Wall-Mart as well that’s for sure.
hey nice site. i love gangland! its one of the few shows i watch on the history channel.
Oh no Bobby TCB is not the Hell’ Angels motto. That would be Elvis’ motto. Please please don’t ever disrespect the King again or I will have to I don’t know what… I guess write a scathing post about you and your Elvis dissing ways.
I agree with putting gang bangers in jail for 25 years just for being in a gang. Although I don’t know the show you are talking about I can only imagine. That is a problem glorifying thugs, the mob, gangsters etc. I have known people who think Goodfellas is the greatest thing since sliced bread, actually it was based on fact and all those people were and are crappy people.
I use to run with a mobster- I won’t divulge what I was doing, only that I really didn’t have a clue as to how heinous people can be. Luckily I pulled my head out of my butt. My best friend’s were all in gangs in high school too. I got away from some nasty stuff, my dearest friend at the time wasn’t so lucky. Her husband and the father of her children killed a woman over drugs and went to prison. Sigh- that seems like a million years ago. Your post reminds me of times in my life in Denver that I have buried but for good.
I have to wonder however what the consensus is on you carrying a gun. That will be the hot button issue with your post- guns, gun control, etc. I think I have said enough Bobby and will just pop in to see what comments develop.
WOW Bobby, I was kinda worried for u when I came to the gang members part. 100 of them and you weren’t scared, Bobby my hero he he!
Thanks so much Zen Lill, I will come check your blog out!
That’s right Teeni! Hopefully nothing ever happens, but if you have to, you have to.
I know you’ve been through a lot J.C., and I’m glad you made it through. The problem here in the states is the gun laws vary from state to state.
For example, if I shoot someone in my house that is threatening my life, they must die inside the house. If they make it outside and die, I can be sued and go to jail. If they die inside, it’s purely self defense, but only if they have a gun. If they are armed with a knife, I’m not allowed to shoot them.
It’s an entertaining show Earl, but it does glorify the gangsters.
This post has had 927 views so far and hardly anyone commented..maybe their afraid I’ll shoot them hahaha!
You used to run with a mobster? Was it Tony Soprano? I must confess I have no idea what you’re talking about with TCB and Elvis
Alright, you back from your vacation? It’s nice to see you Marzie
It was so scary living there, I will never go back!
Murder rates on on the rise in many US cities. New York is up 8% so far this year, Chicago… up 13% and Los Angeles a nearly 35% increase as of early March.
It’s truly gut wrentching the number of children and innocents simply sitting their home, playing in their yard, or going to school that are silenced by these violent acts.
Places that try and crack down gangs and gang violence simply push them to areas that are not doing so or all ill equipped and/or ill prepared to deal with it. Couple this with the fact that trying to deal with the problem while “playing by the rules” simply will not work with groups that do not.
“This post has had 927 views so far and hardly anyone commented..maybe their afraid I’ll shoot them hahaha!”
Hmmm I am not surprised on one hand- I think a lot of people don’t know what to say or don’t want to start a gun control argument.
“You used to run with a mobster? Was it Tony Soprano?”
I have never seen that show. No with a young man starting out in that life (they work every big city I imagine)- it was glamorous to me. I went to very nice places and did things I could not otherwise afford and had a paid apartment, but the more I saw and heard things and met the older persons involved in crime- the more my eyes were opened to it not being right. It was very short lived- I went back and forth for some time between it but in the end could not compromise my morals for that lifestyle. That was 20 years ago and I feel sad thinking about it.
“I must confess I have no idea what you’re talking about with TCB and Elvis :smile:” Elvis wore a necklace that said TCB and his back up band was the TCB Band- they are still around and play with the ex lead singer of the Wiggles (Australian children band).
You are a unique person Bobby- either you are going to go out like a shooting star or you will live to be a 100 and have amazing stories to tell.
@Dave: It’s much like dealing with terrorism. Of course we’re all against terrorism, but when the government changes laws dealing with it, corruption and power rears it’s ugly head. People only choose to see the aspects of life they want to. If somethings not in their face, they tend to ignore it. I keep my eyes open and see the bad and the good.
@Michelle: Thanks for the Elvis info, I learned something new! I hope to live to a 100, being a shooting star doesn’t sound too good.
Oh just give it time, I’m sure you’ll be up to your million comments soon. (#):D
But yeah, great post and great subject. As much as I’m not into guns, I’m def not against the right to bear arms and I think you laid out the whole issue very very well.
Personally, I will probably not have guns in my house but my dad has guns, my uncle has fridges full of guns, and it seems my Virgina neighbors all have guns. Thankfully I don’t live in an area where there’s really much crime at all, but I’ll soon be moving to a more “normal” part of America where violence and crime is much more frequent.
And if you couldn’t guess, I’m going to dig a moat.
This is Urban Sprawl.
People move away from the city, away from crime and violence. They then commute to the city for work. More gas, more global warming. It’s the gansters fault - and I’m angry!
Hey Bobby, I see you done quite i bit of work around here!
hello big guy! i’ve got something for you at my place! Come quick, ok!
@Bush: I may not be a gun toting citizen if I hadn’t known so many people that were killed. I’ve only been robbed a few times - I probably wouldn’t have shot my assailants at the time as they only had knives. The problem with guns is knowing the difference of when you have to shoot or not. Many people jump the gun (pun intended) and shoot unnecessarily
@Eric: You’re so right! Global warming is definitely the gangsta’s fault …haha
@Jean: Thanks! I shall come see
I am with you bobby! In Asia we grew up side by side with gangsters! In moment when you have to defend your own life, fighting back is the only way! Kudos man! i would have done the same but like you I am a peace loving person and never shown violence to anyone!
@ Bokjae: I see you’re no stranger to gangsters. Violence is always the last resort. I would only do it to protect myself or others in need. I certainly hope I never have to
Good straightforward advice! I agree that there should be a punishment for being in a gang. But by the time the criminals are caught the damage is already been done. Your story about the gang you walked through was scary but I like how you handled it. I always have a knife or some sort of weapon handy, you never know what people will do.