Segregation: The Foundation That Every Gang Needs

By Jeremy Rock

Because of the failure of government institutions in segregated housing projects, gangs have risen as pseudo-governments to fill the demand for an organization.

Gangs were originally formed to help communities, not just gang leaders. They were not involved in drug trafficking or extortion. They were formed to protect certain communities and provide services that the government neglected. As we are aware now, gangs are largely involved in drug trade and other illegal activity. Gangs have formed an entire economic system similar to any other business, except the activity is illicit. This is because segregated, low opportunity communities provide little chance for upward mobility. Because of the failure of government institutions in segregated housing projects, gangs have risen as pseudo-governments to fill the demand for an organization. They provide several services to the community that the government neglects in their neighborhoods which in turn creates a community that is reliant on them. While it may seem enticing and exciting to poor, lower-class boys to join a gang, it is more dangerous for a person to be in a street gang than it is to be on death row after being convicted for murder.

St. Louis Households in 2010. Red represents white households
 and blue represents black households.

Street gangs have become an important part of the community, especially among young adults. While looked down upon by many, it does provide a level of respect because of the human capital young adults can gain access to. It is enticing because it provides the illusion of social mobility when they see the money, nice cars, and women that gang leaders have. This draws the youth, who are looking for a better life. In reality, there is no more dangerous job. According to Freakonomics and a study by Sudhir Venkatesh, there is a 7% chance of death per year per gang member. After 4 years, a person has had a 25% chance of being killed, not to mention being wounded or arrested. It is the illusion of a better life in exchange for a person’s freedom. The gangs would not exist if it weren’t for a result of highly segregated public housing and proper education is the best way to overcome the problems that people in this kind of poverty face. This can be difficult in a society where the authority is based on who has the biggest gun.

Gangs fill the gaps that the collapse of institutions fails to accomplish. It is basic economics that where there is demand, then there will likely be a sufficient supply to fill the demand. If there is a demand for safety, and a person can pay a gang for this protection. If there is a demand for someone to resolve conflicts, the gang can step in to fulfill this judicial need. While the cost may not be monetary, it will be a payment in submission to their authority.

Gangs fill institutions such as:

• Protection - (Police)
• Housing - (Government/Market)
• Market regulation - (Law)
• Recreation - (Park services)
• Economy - (Legitimate and illegitimate)
• Car repair - (Mechanics)
• Taxation  - (Government)

These are just some of the examples of institutions the gangs participate in. This is not the only time that people have turned from traditional sources of authority for help. The formation of gangs originated from a need to fill the void left by failed government institutions resonates with the Search for Order theme present during the enlightenment period. I see many instances where a need for organization is filled by the gang. There is a demand for government in these projects, and the gang provides this structure. It isn't always the way the people want but it is better than nothing. These problems are perpetuated by poverty that a highly segregated community engenders.

During the Reformation, there was no longer an absolute authority on religion in Europe. This authority was smashed by the reformation revelations that the church was teaching things contrary to the Bible. People such as Martin Luther and John Calvin taught things that undermined the Catholic church’s teachings. After Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses, the different branches of Protestant churches begin springing up all across Europe. These churches would generally cling to a few powerful ideas from the Bible and provide religious services to members of their congregations (Contoni 502). This connects to the gangs because the shortcomings in the government result in absolute authority in the projects being lost. Each neighborhood has a different gang that takes over the drug trade and power. The gang leaders hold power, the police hold power, rival gangs hold power, and other leaders such as local ministers hold power. There is no ultimate source that everyone can rely on. People must levy their relationships in a careful way, otherwise, they can put their lives at risk. 

Despite efforts to provide housing for disadvantaged families, the segregation of communities often does more harm than good. Although attempts in the past have been made to desegregate, White Flight continues to segregate communities. At the end of the day, the only thing that will truly help these people escape the difficult situations they live in is to receive a better education. A high school degree is not enough anymore. These people need a college degree, or they will never be able to escape the conditions they are in. low-skill jobs are too scarce and wages are too low to support families. A better education is the only escape.

Ultimately the people from each of these time periods simply want a better life. They rarely receive sufficient help from the current authorities and as such must turn to other organizations. Those seeking power, legitimately or not, are more than happy to provide services, however, nothing is for free.

Sources: 

• Gang Leader For a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh.
• The Freakonomics of Crack Dealing by Steven Levitt. 
• Cantoni, Davide. “ADOPTING A NEW RELIGION: THE CASE OF PROTESTANTISM IN 16TH CENTURY GERMANY.” The Economic Journal, vol. 122, no. 560, 2012, pp. 502–531., Link to article.

Image 1 credit: Chicago Projects, by National Archives at College Park [Public domain]. Licensed by Wikimedia Commons through CC.

Image 2 credit: Race and ethnicity 2010: St. Louis, by Eric Fischer. Licensed by Flickr through CC.

Image 3 credit: Martin Luther, by Ferdinand Pauwels [Public domain]. Licensed by Wikimedia Commons through CC,