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.
