Gangs. Are Oklahoma youth really becoming gang members? What motivates a child to join a gang? Are gangs replacing family? Are there different types of gangs? Are gangs a racial issue? Are gangs simply a law enforcement problem? Who should intervene?
All were questions Herman Jones, PhD., clinical professor of neurology and psychiatry for the OU Health Sciences Center, discussed with members of the Carter County Bar Association Friday during a continuing-education seminar at Dornick Hills Country Club. Not one to deliver an uninspired message filled with bland facts, Jones spiced his presentation with dramatic, real-life humor and tragic events, as well as lively interaction with his audience.
Yes, Jones confirmed, gangs are a way of life in communities in Oklahoma. The lure of gang membership is strong for many youth at a time when peer acceptance is great importance to them and many families are swallowed in dysfunction of inconsistent parenting, parental substance abuse and child abuse. Gangs offer members a sense of belonging.
“Gangs usually have 12 to 15 members ... any more than that and they break off and form another group. They want that intimate feeling ... like a number of the same (denomination) churches in a town,” Jones said. “Gangs are a substitution. It’s their family. It’s their tribe.”
Gang leaders provide a family type environment by dictating “What to do and what to wear.”
And Jones said whether a youth is “real” gang member or labeled “a wanna be” the results are the same.
Even though gangs often times fail their members, youths remain loyal. Jones told the story of one young man, arrested and jailed for a incident other members of his gang were involved in. He said while none of the others came forth to share the blame, the youth remained loyal.
“I said to him, ‘They aren’t your friends.’ He said, ‘I know, but they’re like my family,’” he said.
Jones also told of a young woman, who described firing multiple shots at a rival gang from a car. The girl said another gang member handed her the gun, she held it out the window, turned her head and pulled the trigger. She described how the gun felt as she kept her hand on the trigger.
“I said, ‘But your cousin was standing there.’ And she said, ‘But she’s part of that gang,’” Jones said.
According to Jones, the two most prevalent gangs in Oklahoma presently are Crips and Bloods. Both gangs originated in Compton, California. While the Oklahoma based gangs are not being led or recruited by members of the California group, the state-based gangs follow the same set of beliefs as their counterparts , wear the same “colors” and logos on their clothing and adorn themselves with the same tattoos.
“Even though most of them would be hard-pressed to find Compton on a map,” Jones said.
And no, Jones said, gangs are not a race issue. He said many of the state’s Crips and Bloods are white. Other social gangs that are flourishing in Oklahoma are Hispanic groups.
Jones said while most gangs are generated by youths, there are two that are “adult driven.” Asian gangs and Skinheads.
“Skinheads are hate-based and are actively cultivated by an adult sub-culture,” Jones said.
Asian gangs are adult driven crime organizations and members are encouraged to keep their affiliation secret.
“They take kids out of their homes, move them to another state and have them commit crimes, like burglaries. The kids have two choices, if they do well they can move up in the organization. If they get tired of it and want to leave, they’ll take them home,” Jones said.
Jones also spent time explaining both the physical and emotional factors involved in gang life, before inviting questions from the seminar participants. He said his goal in conducting the seminar session was to promote “awareness of those things that provoke gang membership.”
He urged the attorneys to become mentors and advocates, saying “Understanding the motivation and the (gang) experience is the initial step.”
The annual continuing education seminar is sponsored by District Judge Tom Walker. The judge said he has provided the local seminars for the past 15 years for the convenience of Carter County Bar Association members.
Marsha Miller 221-6529
marsha.miller@ardmoreite.com
