Media

With their huge influence in all aspects of society, the media glorifies gangs & actually makes them feel empowered. Media typically refers to the internet, movies, music, the news, television, newspapers and other avenues of information. Most coverage of gangs, no matter how well-intentioned, almost always ends up glorifying gangs and the gang life.

Movies are a way to influence and contribute to gangs. Many films have been created to promote an anti-gang theme, but in reality have done otherwise. Movies like American History X, American Me, Blood in Blood Out, and Menace 2 Society have empowered gangs. By viewing gangs in movies, gang members feel like they’re famous and filled with control and power. They feel that they have become so broad that their lifestyle is now being portrayed on films.

[1.] Video games are frequently villified for their glorification of gangs

Music is another factor that contributes to gangs. For example, rap and certain urban music are ways that influence gangs. Anytime one listens to and enjoys the music of 50 Cent, The Game or Snoop Dogg, they are actually supporting gangs. Snoop Dogg has mentioned various times in his songs his affiliation to the Crips. The Game has also done this with his affiliation to the Bloods. It is common to see that a child would say that he or she is a Blood or a Crip because of the music they listen to.

A gang that has made headlines in newspapers and the television news also contributes to gangs. Gang members feel that they have done something that has greatly made them known to society. When a minor gang crime has been mentioned in the news, that gang feels they must top that crime with a broader crime so that they become known.

Another factor that contributes to gangs are gang prevention programs. When gangs see that they are trying to be stopped, they become stronger, larger and richer by impacting more communities, selling major money drugs and exerting more control than prevention units that try to stop them. Gangs take their reputation seriously and thus highly motivated in ensuring control over their territories and reacting to exterior forces.