THE FOLLOWING IS TAKEN FROM AN ACTUAL INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY OUR GROUP. NAMES AND ANY IDENTIFICATIONAL REFERENCES HAVE BEEN REMOVED TO PROTECT IDENTITIES. THE INTERVIEW HAS BEEN ABRIDGED FOR CENSORSHIP REASONS.
"What kind of stuff do you do in gangs?"
"When you are in a gang you mostly fight all the time, but you really don’t know why you’re doing it. I guess its hust so you can fit in. But by the time you realize that you don’t even have a reason it’s too late because you’ve already done it."
"Would you think gang life is fun?"
"You asked if the gang life is fun. At first when you’re doing what you want, it could be. But it’s easy to forget that there’s a price to be paid for the things you do. Yeah you hang out, but at the age of 15, my little brother was killed. I have about 15 of my homeboys who are doing life in prison as well as me. I’m doing 32 years to life. I’m only 28 years old and I’ll never get out. And about 10 of my homeboys have been killed. I started going to jail when I was 13 years old. Does this life sound fun to you? The fun is for a minute but it costs a lifetime of pain."
