Gangster Disciples
 | |
| Founding location | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Years active | late 1960s–present |
| Territory | Nationwide |
| Ethnicity | mostly African American |
| Membership | 25,000-50,000[1] |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, murder |
The Black Gangster Disciple Nation was formed on the South-side of Chicago in the late 1960s, by David Barksdale, leader of the Black Disciples, and Larry Hoover, leader of the Supreme Gangsters. The two groups united to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation (BGDN).
The gang has made several attempts to legitimize their image. Some members dropped the "B" and began to call themselves GDs or Gangster Disciples. In the 1990s the Gangster Disciples entered into politics through the formation of the "Growth and Development" movement. Outside of Chicago some gangs will still go by the old name of BGD.[3]
Gangster Disciples have been documented in the U.S. military, found in both U.S. and overseas bases.[4] Graffiti characteristic of the Gangster Disciples has been reportedly seen in U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.[5]
Symbols, signs and emblems
Like most major gangs, Gangster Disciples use a well-defined system of symbols to communicate alliances and rivalries. This system is a combination of symbols that represent the Gangster Disciple Nation or the Folk Nation as a whole and symbols that rivals use to represent their organization, typically inverted to show disrespect.
Gangster Disciple Symbology
The major symbol Gangster Disciples make use of is the six-pointed star (similar to the Star of David) The fact that this star is known as the Star of David pays homage to co-founder David Barksdale, and the six points are said to represent Life, Love, Loyalty, Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding. Despite there being no ostensible references to the country of Israel or Jewish religion in most open source literature on the subject of Gangster Disciples, some rival Vice Lord members will at times refer to someone suspected of being an organizational infiltrator, mole, spy, supporter, or sympathizer, working on behalf of Gangster Disciple affiliate, as being "Jewish." There have been other indications clearly suggesting that many GD members internally have aligned themselves with pseudo-Judaism principles just as rival Vice Lords have aligned themselves with pseudo-Islamic principles which is even further evidenced by the Vice Lord Oath in which Vice Lord members swear allegiance to Allah.[6] Gangster Disciples are also represented by the colors blue and black, however, there are clear indications that in some very unusual instances, some GD members who for whatever reasons adopt what some gang experts and historians refer at "outlaw" or taboo doctrine, wear the otherwise rival Vice Lord color red which in a majority of other cases, would again, be counter to the blue, black, grey, silver and white colors normally associated with GD.[7][full citation needed][page needed]
The second most well known symbol of the Gangster Disciples is the three pointed pitch fork, which is also the basis of their representative hand-sign. A pair of pitchforks may be seen in GD graffiti crossed behind a six pointed star, with the tines of the fork always placed in a vertical position. Since two forks with three tines each make a total of six, this again makes reference to the six-pointed star. The number six plays prominently into most GD symbols.
Gangster Disciple graffiti is also known to contain:
- Heart with wings, each wing having 3 feathers (for a total of 6), typically placed around a six-pointed star. Can be used to represent love for lost members of the organization, or members who are incarcerated.
- Inverted shepherd's cane. The cane is a symbol of the Chicago-based Vice Lords, a powerful faction in the People Nation and a top rival of the Gangster Disciples. The cane can be incorporated into the handle of crossed pitchforks, so that the upward facing half is a fork and the downward pointing half is a cane. This both represents the Gangster Disciple Nation and shows disrespect to the Vice Lords.
- Inverted pyramid. The pyramid is a Peoples Nation symbol, especially for the Black P Stones.
- Inverted cross, with hash marks between the bars. Symbol of the Latin Kings (gang).
Any of these can be incorporated into drawings, onto notes, into a private alphabet, or displayed in various forms on clothing and private or public property.[8] In the past 5 years the gangster disciples have taken turf in De Kalb,Illinois and Sycamore,Illinois and most of all Toronto,Ontario (Jane And Finch), They have been on the map in Sycamore For 7 years for gun and drug running in Foxpoine & Devonshire
References
- ^ http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs32/32146/appb.htm
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
www.knowgangs.comwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ http://www.gangpreventionservices.org/BGD.asp
- ^ "Gangs Increasing in Military, FBI Says". McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 30 June 2008.
- ^ "Exclusive: Gangs Spreading In The Military". CBS News. 28 July 2007.
- ^ "Vice Lord Nation" (PDF). U.S. Department of Justice. National Drug Intelligence Center. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ^ kirby, kate c. the chicago crime commission gangbookchicago2005
- ^ "Street Gangs — Chicago Based or Influenced: Folk Nation Sets". Gang and Security Threat Group Awareness Report. Florida Department of Corrections.
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