Synopses & Reviews
Street gangs are typically viewed as nothing more than training grounds for thugs and felons, yet those same gang-infested communities are the creative force that drives pop culture, from books and music to styles and slang. Also left out of the dialog are members' emotional sensitivities, political consciousness, and awareness of the socio-economic conditions that cause a need for gangs. The writings in The Bandana Republic reflect the creative and intellectual voice of the streets. Multiracial and intergenerational in scope, the anthology focuses on works written by adolescents from contemporary gangs such as Crips, Bloods, Latin Kings, Mexican Mafia, Black Spades, Neta, Black Gangster Disciples, and Hells Angels. Works by former gang members who have moved into journalism, social work, and the performing arts are a potent reminder that today's gangstas are tomorrow's lyricists, musicians, visual artists, and writers.
Synopsis
This collection of writings on and by members of urban youth gangs gives voice to an American subculture far richer and more complex than the headlines indicate. Urban youth gangs are typically viewed as no more than training grounds for thugs and felons. This breakthrough anthology presents a far different picture, revealing present and former gang members' and street activists' artistic impulses, emotional sensitivities, political beliefs, and capacities to assess the social conditions that created them.
The Bandana Republic contains powerful writing: fiction and essays, poetry, and polemics written by adolescents from gangs like the Crips and Bloods and the Mexican Mafia. There's also creative work by ex-gangbangers who have become activists, artists, musicians, and movie stars. J. Sheeler's Seven Immortals finds grim poetry in a young girl's gang initiation. Jaha Zainabu's The Jungle (Blood Territory) is a lacerating portrait of an LA Blood. Commander's The Brothas Gunnin' piercingly profiles a neighborhood--and a world--under siege.
Synopsis
Urban youth gangs are typically viewed as no more than training grounds for thugs and felons. This breakthrough anthology presents a far different picture, revealing present and former gang members and street activists artistic impulses, emotional sensitivities, political beliefs, and capacities to assess the social conditions that created them. The Bandana Republic contains powerful writing: fiction and essays, poetry, and polemics written by adolescents from gangs like the Crips and Bloods and the Mexican Mafia. There's also creative work by ex-gangbangers who have become activists, artists, musicians, and movie stars. J. Sheelers Seven Immortals” finds grim poetry in a young girls gang initiation. Jaha Zainabus The Jungle (Blood Territory)” is a lacerating portrait of an L.A. Blood. Commanders The Brothas Gunnin” piercingly profiles a neighborhood and a world under siege. These writings give voice to an American subculture far richer and more complex than the headlines indicate.