Gang sign

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Hand signals of the Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos The Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos hand signals.jpg
Hand signals of the Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos
Gang signal seen in Seoul Korean Mafia gang hand sign - June 2022.png
Gang signal seen in Seoul

A gang sign, also known as a gang signal, is a verbal or visual way gang members identify their affiliation. This can take many forms including slogans, hand signs, colored clothing and graffiti. The wearer usually favors, or is in, that particular gang. Many of these, especially slogans and hand signs, have become part of popular culture, especially in African American hip hop culture.

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Hand signs

"Throwing up" a gang sign (e.g., "stacking", "page", "gang walk", "banging") with the hands is one of the most known and obvious forms of "claiming" or stating the gang one is affiliated with. It is used in many situations where other identifiers may not be possible or appropriate, and it can also show that a gang member is in the area to "do business"[ clarification needed ] as opposed to just passing through. Usually, these signs are made by formation of the fingers on one or both hands to make some sort of symbol or letter. [1] It can also serve to relay more specific information, such as what set they represent within a larger gang or in which activities they are currently taking part. Individual letters can be used to tell stories when flashed in rapid succession, each representing a word beginning with that letter. These signs, because they are displayed only when wanted (as opposed to the types of identifiers above), are usually the most consistent across various areas. Many of these hand signals are quite close to other common hand signs, and this can cause confusion among gang members, non-gang members, and anti-gang authorities. Most African American and Mexican gangs use these symbols.

Another identifier that can be displayed only when desired is a gang handshake, which usually includes some component of the gang hand signs and/or other hand and finger symbols.[ citation needed ]

Clothing and other forms of identification

Clothing is a strong signal that all gangs show. The clothing gangs wear allows rival gangs to identify who is friend and who is foe. For example, the uniforms for many Hispanic gangs are standard and easily recognizable. Gangs such as the Latin Kings would wear long yellow T-shirts, baggy pants, and either a bandana or a hat, sometimes both. Black gang members are generally more individualistic with their clothing. The gang would wear specific clothing and certain accessories that would match their crew's colors. Most gang members wear brands such as Pro Club, Dickies, and Levi's. [2]

Mask

Masks can be worn in various types of colors and ways. This is done by gang members to signify which gang they are affiliated with. The most popular mask colors are red, blue, black, white, grey, pink, and yellow. It is typically worn on the left or right back pockets of gang members. They can also be worn as a camp mask by wrapping around the head so only the eyes show. [3]

Tattoos

Gang members will often get tattoos to represent their gang, or subset of a gang which can include markings related to the street their set is from, or a nickname of the neighborhood given by a gang. For example, members of the Maniac Latin Disciples set known as "Rata World" may get a tattoo of the street their set originates from.

Varsity clothing

Around the 1970s to 1990s, it was common for some of Chicago's strongest street gangs to create custom varsity sweaters to represent their gang. This trend however eventually died out due to gang members in the Chicago area being robbed, beaten, or even killed by rival gangs due to the increased status of having a rival's varsity jacket, the implication being that the victim was too weak or cowardly to keep it.

Business cards

Another common gang identifier in 1970s to 1990s Chicago were business cards. Street gangs often used these cards in order to present themselves as businessmen, or in the case of gangs like the Almighty Gaylords, were used to intimidate rivals with text telling rival gang members to hand over their gang sweaters.

Vests

Outlaw motorcycle clubs, and even some street gangs from New York City and New Zealand have been known to wear vests with patches representing their gangs. These vests can come in a variety of materials such as denim or leather.

Tracksuits

Tracksuits are common among street gangs and criminals in Russia since the 1980s. [4] [5] [6] They later become a staple feature of a criminal-derived subculture known as gopnik. [7] [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniform</span> Similar clothing worn by a group of people

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apron</span> Outer protective garment

An apron is a garment that is worn over other clothing to cover the front of the body. They may have several purposes, typically as a functional accessory that protects clothes and skin from stains and marks. However, other types of aprons may be worn as a decoration, for hygienic reasons, as part of a uniform, or as protection from certain dangers such as acid, allergens or excessive heat. It can also be used at work stations to hold extra tools and pieces or protect from dust and unwanted materials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balaclava (clothing)</span> Woollen cap covering the head and neck

A balaclava, also known as a monkey cap, balaclava helmet, ski mask or sheisty, is a form of cloth headgear designed to expose only part of the face, usually the eyes and mouth. Depending on style and how it is worn, only the eyes, mouth and nose, or just the front of the face are unprotected. Versions with enough of a full face opening may be rolled into a hat to cover the crown of the head or folded down as a collar around the neck. It is commonly used in alpine skiing and snowboarding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweater</span> Piece of clothing made out of knit or crocheted material

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloods</span> Street gang founded in Los Angeles, California, US

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turban</span> Type of headwear

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jersey (clothing)</span> Knitted pullover

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic school uniform</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huipil</span> Traditional Mexican and Central American womens garment

Huipil is the most common traditional garment worn by indigenous women from central Mexico to Central America.

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Religious clothing is clothing which is worn in accordance with religious practice, tradition or significance to a faith group. It includes clerical clothing such as cassocks, and religious habit, robes, and other vestments. Accessories include hats, wedding rings, crucifixes, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gang colors</span> Colors or insignia worn by gang members

Gang colors include clothing, accessories, or tattoos of a specific color or colors that represent an affiliation to a specific gang or gang branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colors (motorcycling)</span> Motorcycle club insignia

Colors are the insignia, or "patches", worn by motorcycle club members on cut-off vests to identify membership of their club and territorial location. Club patches have been worn by many different groups since the 1960s. They are regarded by many to symbolize an elite amongst motorcyclists and the style has been widely copied by other subcultures and commercialized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Headgear</span> Any covering for the head; element of clothing which is worn on ones head

Headgear, headwear, or headdress is any element of clothing which is worn on one's head, including hats, helmets, turbans and many other types. Headgear is worn for many purposes, including protection against the elements, decoration, or for religious or cultural reasons, including social conventions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fashion and clothing in the Philippines</span> Fashion and folk costume of the Philippines

Fashion and clothing in the Philippines refers to the way the people of the Philippine society generally dress up at home, at work, travelling and during special occasions.

References

  1. Schweizer, Harald Otto. "Gang Signs". Website of Dr. Schweizer, professor of criminology at California State University, Fresno.
  2. "How Are Gangs Identified". Los Angeles Police Department.
  3. Waldron, Leah. "What Is the Meaning of Colored Masks?" EHow. Demand Media, 17 May 2010. Web. 05 Nov. 2012
  4. Stephenson, Svetlana (2021), "Russian street gangs, their social construction and political use-value", Routledge International Handbook of Critical Gang Studies, Routledge, doi:10.4324/9780429462443-31/russian-street-gangs-social-construction-political-use-value-svetlana-stephenson, ISBN   978-0-429-46244-3 , retrieved 2024-03-14
  5. Loeb, Eli (2020-01-01). "Gopniki: Peripheral Masculinity in Post-Soviet Russia". Pomona Senior Theses.
  6. Gracheva, Anna S. and Ivanina, Ekaterina O. and Markov, Yuri and Gorbunova, Elena, Familiar and Dangerous: Not Seeing Gopnik in the Crowd (October 18, 2018). Higher School of Economics Research Paper No. WP BRP 96/PSY/2018, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3269227 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3269227
  7. Stephenson, Svetlana (2012). "The Violent Practices of Youth Territorial Groups in Moscow". Europe-Asia Studies. 64 (1): 69–90. ISSN   0966-8136.
  8. Habeck, Joachim Otto; Ventsel, Aimar (2009). "Consumption and Popular Culture among Youth in Siberia". Zeitschrift für Ethnologie. 134 (1): 1–22. ISSN   0044-2666.