18th Street Gang

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer explores the trans-national nature of the 18th Street gang. The writer explains that strictly speaking, for a gang to be classified as trans-national, the gang has to have its presence in more than one country. This essay explores the reasons due to which this particular gang finds sympathizers and members in different countries. It is argued here that the motivation to spread out and seek to establish roots in other places is because of the very nature of this gang and because of the history of its inception. The writer maintains that there are widespread consequences for the trans-national nature of the 18th Street Gang. This essay shows that some of the trans-nationalism also comes from trans-culturalism. The writer concludes that illegal immigration and deportation of gang members is the key mechanism by which the 18th Street Gang has become a global gang.

Outline:
Introduction
Precedence for Trans-National Gangs in the United States
Latino Trans-National Gangs
18th Street Gang-Precedence for Trans-Nationalism
18th Street Gang as Trans-National
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Even middle school children are pushed into membership, sometimes against their wills, and eventually undergo initiation. This ensures the next generation of gangsters, increasing the membership and keeping the gang going.
"This level of openness towards membership has a historical precedence. This gang originated in the 1960s because an older gang, Clanton 14, which consisted of Mexicans and Caucasians who were already established in Los Angeles refused to accept the newly arrived Mexicans. These newly arrived, illegal immigrants, feeling ostracized and with language and cultural barriers to assimilation, banded together to form the 18th Street gang. They retain the character of outsiders, which makes them easier to accept outsiders--even from other races."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alonso, Alex. 18th Street Gang in Los Angeles County Street Gangs.com, 2002 [cited May 12 2008]. Available from http://www.streetgangs.com/18thstreet.html.
• BestofSicily. The Mafia BestofSicily.com, 2008 [cited May 12 2008]. Available from http://www.bestofsicily.com/mafia.htm.
• Burton, Fred. Mara Salvatrucha: The New Face of Organized Crime? Strategic Forecasting, Inc., 2006 [cited May 12 2008]. Available from http://www.stratfor.com/mara_salvatrucha_new_face_organized_crime.
• CrimeLibrary. Yakuza: Origins and Traditions CrimeLibrary.com, 2008 [cited May 12 2008]. Available from http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/gang/yakuza/1.html.
• Franco, Celinda. "The Ms-13 and 18th Street Gangs: Emerging Transnational Gang Threats?" 21. Washington, D.C.: Domestic Social Policy Division, 2008.

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• Persuasive Essay # 112412 : "American Street Gangs"

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