Attorneys at Law PO Box 100637 * NJ DC Bar
Erik M. Pelton* Arlington, VA 22210 ** VA Bar
Mark L. Donahey** T: 703.525.8009 *** VA DC & NY Bar
Benjamin D. Pelton*** F: 703.997.5349 erikpelton.com
of counsel

IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

May 11, 2010

Caroline E. Wood
Trademark Examining Attorney
Law Office 110
United States Patent and Trademark Office

RE: Serial No: 77802481
Mark: ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG
Applicant: Aiko LLC
Office Action Of: November 23, 2009

APPLICANT’S RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION

The following is the response of Applicant, Aiko LLC, by Counsel, to the Office Action
sent via email on November 23, 2009, by Examining Attorney Caroline E. Wood.

IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS AMENDMENT
The Examining Attorney has required a clarification of the identification of goods.
Applicant hereby amends the identification of goods to the following:
Alcoholic beverages, namely, brandy. (Class 33)

AMENDMENT OF THE MARK
Applicant amends the mark to: ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG and attaches a new drawing
of the mark. The amendment of the mark resolves the specimen issue as the amended drawing
conforms to the mark as shown in the original specimen. The amendment of the mark does not
result in a material alteration of the mark.

LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION REFUSAL
The Examining Attorney has refused registration of the proposed mark pursuant to
Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. § 1052(d), on the grounds that the mark is likely to be
confused with the mark in Registration No. 3072963. For the following reasons, Applicant
page 2 Response to November 23, 2009 Office Action SN 77802481
Ex. Atty.: Caroline E. Wood
Law Office 115

respectfully disagrees with the findings and requests that the Examining Attorney reconsider the
statutory refusal and allow registration of Applicant’s mark.
Likelihood of confusion between two marks at the PTO is determined by a review of all
of the relevant factors under the DuPont test. In re E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d
1357, 177 USPQ 563 (CCPA1973). “Not all of the DuPont factors may be relevant or of equal
weight in a given case, and ‘any one of the factors may control a particular case.’” See In re
Majestic Distilling Co., 315 F.3d 1311, 1315, 65 USPQ2d 1201, 1204 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (quoting
In re Dixie Restaurants, Inc., 105 F.3d 1405, 1406-07, 41 USPQ2d 1531, 1533 (Fed. Cir. 1997)).
There is “no reason why, in a particular case, a single duPont factor may not be dispositive.”
Kellogg Co. v. Pack’em Enterprises Inc., 951 F.2d 330, 333 (Fed. Cir. 1991). A single DuPont
factor “may be dispositive ina likelihood of confusion analysis, especially when that single factor
is the dissimilarity of the marks.” Champagne Louis Roeder, S.A. v. Delicato Vineyards, 148
F.3d 1373, 1375 (Fed. Cir. 1998).
Here, there is no likelihood of confusion because Applicant’s ORIGINAL GANGSTER
OG mark is substantially different from the cited GANGSTER mark. See Table 1. Under Du
Pont, marks are compared for similarity or dissimilarity in their entireties as to appearance,
sound, meaning and commercial impression. In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d
1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (CCPA 1973).
Table 1: Applicant’s and Registrant’s Mark
Applicant’s Mark No. 77802481 Registrant’s Mark No. 3072963

ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG

Applicant’s mark and the cited registration are significantly different in appearance.
Applicant’s ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG mark is composed of three separate terms while the
cited GANGSTER mark consists of only a single word. As a result, Applicant’s mark appears
significantly longer that the cited mark. Applicant’s mark also begins and ends with the terms
ORIGINAL and OG which are not shared with the cited GANGSTER mark.
Applicant’s mark also sounds significantly different from the cited registration. For
example, Applicant’s ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG mark begins with the “OR-” sound, but the
page 3 Response to November 23, 2009 Office Action SN 77802481
Ex. Atty.: Caroline E. Wood
Law Office 115

cited GANGSTER mark begins with the “GA-”. Likewise, Applicant’s mark ends with the
letters “OG” while the cited mark ends with the “-ER” sound. The unshared terms in
Applicant’s mark also make it sound much longer than the cited registration. When spoken,
Applicant’s mark has eight syllables (“O-RIG-IN-AL-GANG-STER-O-G”), but the cited
registration has only two syllables (“GANG-STER”).
In addition to these differences in appearance and sound, the marks are especially distinct
with respect to their meanings. The only word shared by the marks is “Gangster,” which is a
noun broadly referring to “a member of a gang of criminals, esp. a racketeer.” See
Dictonary.com definition of “gangster” attached as Exhibit A. The term entered into widespread
use in the early 20th century, especially to describe individuals associated with organized crime
during the Prohibition Era of the 1920s and the Great Depression. See definition of Oxford
English Dictionary definition of “gangster” attached as Exhibit B. Today “gangster” is still used
in connection with traditional concepts of the “mafia” and the “mob”. For example, the
American Film Institute’s list of “Top 10 Gangster” movies lists “The Godfather”, “Goodfellas”,
“Scarface”, “Bonnie and Clyde” and other traditional organized crime movies. See Exhibit C.
However, Applicant’s mark does not use the term “gangster” in its traditional sense.
Rather, Applicant’s mark features the unitary term “original gangster” which has a significantly
different meaning and connotation from the word “gangster” itself. The term “original gangster”
arose out of modern street gang culture and was popularized through “gangsta rap” music. See
Exhibits D & F. Within the context of modern gang culture, “original gangster” is a term of art
which typically means an older or senior gang member or, in some cases, the founder of a street
gang. Exhibit D. An article published in the American Journal of Family Therapy describes the
role of “original gangsters” in the hierarchy of modern street gangs as follows:
The hierarchy and structure of most street gangs can be described by beginning
with the hardcore gang member or the “OG,” which stands for “original
gangster.” This type of gang member is heavily involved in the gang, making it
central to his or her life. The “OG” is often a violent criminal and he or she is
very committed to gang activities. The original gangster has usually been part of
the street gang for a long period of time. Because of his/her experience, the “OG”
is often looked up to by other, less experienced gang members. Novice gang
members may look to the “OG” for guidance, support, and protection as they
navigate their way through the first stages of their gang membership.
page 4 Response to November 23, 2009 Office Action SN 77802481
Ex. Atty.: Caroline E. Wood
Law Office 115

See Exhibit E: Ruble & Turner, “A Systemic Analysis of the Dynamics and Organization of
Urban Street Gangs,” The American Journal of Family Therapy, 28:117-132 (2000). Both the
term “original gangster” and its abbreviation were popularized by rapper Ice-T in the lyrics of his
1991 song titled O.G. Original Gangster:
They try to sweat a nigga
But they just didn’t figure
What my wit’s as quick as a hair trigger
‘He’s not your everyday-type Prankster’
I’m Ice-T, the original gangster.

See Exhibit F: Ice-T, O.G. Original Gangster (Sire/London/Rhino 1991). Thus, Applicant’s
ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG mark is not perceived merely as the “original” version of
GANGSTER brand goods, because “original gangster” is a unitary term with a well-known
meaning that is not conveyed by the term “gangster” alone. Furthermore, this distinct meaning is
reinforced by the prominent inclusion of the abbreviation “OG” in Applicant’s ORIGINAL
GANGSTER OG mark.
The above evidence clearly establishes that the overall commercial impression of
Applicant’s ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG mark is significantly influenced by the unshared
terms, “ORIGINAL” and “OG”. Therefore, these terms are not mere additions and they may not
be discounted in the Examining Attorney’s likelihood of confusion analysis. By stressing the
shared term “GANGSTER” and diminishing the unshared terms “ORIGINAL” and “OG”, the
Examining Attorney has inappropriately changed the meaning and commercial impression of
Applicant’s mark. See, e.g., In re Hearst Corporation, 982 F.2d 493, 494 (Fed. Cir. 1992)
(reversing the Board’s finding of likelihood of confusion between VARGA GIRL and VARGAS
for identical goods because fair weight was not given to the contribution of the word “girl” to the
commercial impression of the mark). However, when fair weight is given to each of the terms in
Applicant’s ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG mark, the marks have significantly different
commercial impressions. For example, the cited GANGSTER mark brings to mind mobsters,
tommy guns, and hit men, but Applicant’s ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG mark invokes hip-hop
music and modern street gangs.
Based on the unique meaning of Applicant’s ORIGINAL GANGSTER OG mark and the
other dissimilarities it has in comparison with the cited GANGSTER registration, it is clear that
consumers are not likely to be confused as to the source of goods and services offered under the
page 5 Response to November 23, 2009 Office Action SN 77802481
Ex. Atty.: Caroline E. Wood
Law Office 115

marks. Therefore, there is no likelihood of confusion, and Applicant respectfully requests that
the Examining Attorney withdraw the statutory refusal and allow the application to proceed to
registration.

Applicant has responded to all issues raised in the Office Action. If any further
information or response is required, please contact Applicant’s attorney. The attorney may be
reached by telephone at 703-525-8009.

Exhibits:
Exhibit A: Definition of “gangster” from dictionary.com
Exhibit B: Definition of “gangster” from the Oxford English Dictionary
Exhibit C: AFI Top 10 Gangster movies from http://www.afi.com/10top10/gangster.html
Exhibit D: “original gangster” from glossary of gang terms by Michael K. Carlie, Ph.D.
from http://faculty.missouristate.edu/m/MichaelCarlie/Resources/glossary.html
Exhibit E: Ruble & Turner, “A Systemic Analysis of the Dynamics and Organization of
Urban Street Gangs,” The American Journal of Family Therapy, 28:117-132
(2000)
Exhibit F: Lyrics for “O.G. Original Gangster” by Ice-T from
http://www.lyriczz.com/lyrics/ice-t/17414-o.g.-original-gangster/
APPLICATION NO. 77802481
RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION OF November 23, 2009

EXHIBIT A:
Definition of “gangster” dictionary.com
Gangster | Define Gangster at Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gangster

Dictionary Thesaurus Encyclopedia Translator Web Login | Register | Help

gangster

Did you know: The two words that form motel are so simple they’re almost hard to figure out.
Related Searches
Gangster love poems
Gangster names
Gangster disciples
Cartoon gangster
Gangster disciple kno…
Gangster writing
Gangster letters
Gangster fonts
Gangster quotes
Gangster alphabet
Gangster drawings
Gangster slang

Synonyms
pusher
desperado
tough
hoodlum
bandit
robber
criminal
More Synonyms »

Slang
baby gangsta

Nearby Words

gangsta
gangsta rap
gangsta-rap

1 of 2 5/3/2010 3:21 P
Gangster | Define Gangster at Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gangster

gangster-rap

Firefox Plug-In
Add Dictionary.com to
your Firefox Search
Bar

Add now »
gangster – 4 dictionary results
Gangland vicissitude collocation
Go Inside the World of Gangs. predilection cloy
Watch Videos & More Online at HISTORY™.
History.com
FREE Boomer Newsletter
Fresh insights into understanding today’s Boomer Consumer
www.boomerproject.com
Pastel Suits for $89.00
24 colors-solids,stripes,paisleys 3B 4B 5B 7B DB 2-3 piece Sz
36-62
www.krcapparel.com Sponsored Results

gang·ster ? [gang-ster] Show IPA

–noun
a member of a gang of criminals, esp. a racketeer.

Origin:
1895–1900, Americanism; gang1 + -ster

—Synonyms
mobster, hoodlum, crook, thug; hood, goon.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source | Link To gangster

Related Words for : gangster
mobster
View more related words »

Explore the Visual Thesaurus »

Gangland
Go Inside the World of Gangs.

2 of 2 5/3/2010 3:21 P
APPLICATION NO. 77802481
RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION OF November 23, 2009

EXHIBIT B:
Definition of “gangster” from the Oxford English Dictionary
Oxford English Dictionary gangster http://dictionary.oed.com.mutex.gmu.edu/cgi/entry/50092359?query_ty…

Entry printed from Oxford English Dictionary Online
Copyright © Oxford University Press 2010

gangster SECOND EDITION 1989

orig. U.S.

( gæ st (r)) [f. GANG n.1 + -STER.]

1. A member of a gang of criminals. Also attrib. and Comb.

1896 Columbus (Ohio) Even. Dispatch 10 Apr. 4/2 The gangster may play
all sorts of pranks with the ballot box, but in its own good time the latter will
get even by kicking the gangster into the gutter. 1911 N.Y. Even. Post 17 June
6 A musician, returning to his home, was knocked down and killed by a
group of gangsters. 1928 Daily Express 31 July 8/2 Finding the three
Brighton gangsters guilty of murder. 1935 WODEHOUSE Blandings Castle x.
253 Kind of tough and ugly he looks, like something out of a gangster film.
1938 F. D. SHARPE Sharpe of Flying Squad xv. 164 London at that time was
in some danger of becoming a gangster-ridden city like Chicago. 1948 F. R.
LEAVIS Great Tradition i. 4 One applauds the determination to explode the
gangster-hero.

2. A member of a gang of workmen. rare.

1927 Daily Express 20 June 1/5 Gangsters followed with new ballast and
new track.

Hence gangsterdom = GANGLAND; gangsterish a., resembling or
characteristic of a gangster or gangsters; gangsterism, the actions or
methods of gangsters.

1923 Nation 26 Dec. 743/1 The autobiography of one who has come up in
the world from sneak-thiefery and gangsterdom. 1927 New Masses Mar.
19/4 Gangsterism reigned supreme, both in and out of the convention hall.
1932 New Statesman 7 May 581/1 The alternative is a steady growth of
gangsterdom. 1934 Times 31 July 10/2 Political ‘gangsterism’..is only an
extreme manifestation of the temper which is being allowed to dominate the
whole political outlook. 1945 G. MILLAR Maquis viii. 165 The Resistance in
the Haute-Saône followed more gangsterish lines than that of..the Doubs.
1947 Penguin New Writing XXXI. 68 He walked with a manly, indifferent
saunter, eyes half-closed in gangsterish confidence. 1958 Times Lit. Suppl.
31 Jan. 67/2 More tales of American night-life and gangsterdom between the
wars. 1962 Daily Tel. 19 Mar. 13/4 The economic gangsterism of capitalism.

DRAFT ADDITIONS FEBRUARY 2001

1 of 2 2/18/2010 1:53 PM
Oxford English Dictionary gangster http://dictionary.oed.com.mutex.gmu.edu/cgi/entry/50092359?query_ty…

gangster, n.

gangster rap n. = gangsta rap n. at GANGSTA n. and adj. Compounds.

1989 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 24 Mar. A4/3 Ice T, who helped popularize
the L.A. *gangster rap image, was the evening’s headliner, but N.W.A. was
the more galvanizing force. 1994 P. THEROUX Translating LA ii. 43
Middle-class drug use is clandestine, but gangster-rap music, which is a
Hispanic but mostly black genre, glorifies both drugs and the associated gang
violence. 1998 G. LINEHAN & A. MATTHEWS Are you Right there, Father
Ted? (penultimate draft) in Father Ted (1999) 263/1 No, I am sorry, but
there is nothing in gangster rap that appeals to me. It’s just noise. Now
maybe some of the West-Coast rappers, some of the lighter stuff like DJ
Jazzy Jeff.

gangster rapper n. = gangsta rapper n. at GANGSTA n. and adj.
Compounds.

1990 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 3 June 56 The pioneer *gangster
rapper..attempts to enliven his audience by shouting, ‘All the people with
AIDS keep quiiii-et.’ 1995 Source Feb. 46/2 Every gangster rapper that’s
spittin’ game out there sayin’ somethin’ that ain’t nobody heard before is
America’s nightmare. 2001 Scotsman (Electronic ed.) 1 Feb., Their brand of
extreme, in-your-face work educated an entire generation of heavy metal
fans and gangster rappers.

2 of 2 2/18/2010 1:53 PM
APPLICATION NO. 77802481
RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION OF November 23, 2009

EXHIBIT C:
AFI Top 10 Gangster movies
AFI: 10 Top 10 http://www.afi.com/10top10/gangster.html

Sign In | New User? Sign Up

#1 THE GODFATHER
Epic tale of a 1940s New York Mafia family and their struggle to protect their empire from rival
families as the leadership switches from the father to his youngest son. more

#2 GOODFELLAS
Drama of a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn boy initiated into a neighborhood mob in his youth,
and the struggles he encounters with the gang through the next 25 years. more

#3 GODFATHER PART II, THE
Continuing saga of the Corleone family as they move to Nevada and make the casino business
their major income source… more

#4 WHITE HEAT
A criminal mastermind dreams of being on “top of the world,” until he unwittingly befriends an
undercover federal agent who poses as a hero-worshipping hood. more

1 of 3 5/3/2010 3:06 P
AFI: 10 Top 10 http://www.afi.com/10top10/gangster.html

#5 BONNIE AND CLYDE
In the early 1930s, a car thief and the daughter of his intended victim team up to become
America’s most feared and ruthless bank robbers. more

#6 SCARFACE: THE SHAME OF A NATION
Italian mob leader Big Louie Costillo is killed by Tony Camonte, setting off gang wars over the
control of Chicago’s bootlegging business. more

#7 PULP FICTION
An inside look at a memorable community of criminals. Prizefighter Butch Coolidge has decided to
stop payment on a deal he’s made with the devil… more

#8 THE PUBLIC ENEMY
Tom Powers and Matt Doyle, two tough young kids growing up poor in Chicago, work for Putty
Nose, a fence. more

#9 LITTLE CAESAR
After robbing a gas station, Enrico Cesare Bandello, known as Rico, leaves his small town for the
city with his friend Joe Massaro. more

2 of 3 5/3/2010 3:06 P
AFI: 10 Top 10 http://www.afi.com/10top10/gangster.html

#10 SCARFACE
In Florida, Montana connects with gangster Frank Lopez, and guns his way through the sun washed streets of Miami where he
finds power, wealth and passion. more

home :: site map :: contact :: directions :: jobs :: press :: terms of use

©2008 American Film Institute. All rights reserved.

3 of 3 5/3/2010 3:06 P
APPLICATION NO. 77802481
RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION OF November 23, 2009

EXHIBIT D:
“original gangster” from glossary of gang terms
Into the Abyss: Glossary of Terms http://faculty.missouristate.edu/m/MichaelCarlie/Resources/glossary.htm

Into The Abyss: ~ Table of Contents ~
A Personal Journey into the World of Street Gangs Home | Foreword | Preface | Orientation
What I Learned | Conclusions
End Note | Solutions
by Mike Carlie, Ph.D. Resources | Appendix
Copyright © 2002 Michael K. Carlie Site Map / Contents | New Research
Continually updated. Up-To-Date Gang-Related News

Glossary of Terms
Aid and abet

“To actively, knowingly or intentionally assist another person in the commission or attempted commission of a crime.” (Delaware State Courts, page)

Asian Triad

“Heroin trafficking is a major source of income for Asian gangs. Asian gangs also engage in extortion, armed robbery, and high tech crimes. The 14k triad is the largest triad worldwide. It was formed after the second world
war by Nationalists fleeing Communist Chinese. The Kung Lok was founded in TO by Lau Wing Kui. The Kung Lok triad was involved in illegal gambling, and extortion.” Reprinted here with permission of the author and
copyright holder, Wade O. Koromantee.

Associates

Most commonly used to refer to people who “hang” with gang members. They are sometimes the friends or acquaintances of documented gang members. The gang manual for one police department I studied defines a gang
associate as “a person who admits to criminal street gang association and either resides or frequents a particular street gang’s area and adopts their style of dress, use of hand signs or symbols, is identified as an associate by
a parent, guardian, or corroborated statement of the department or an informant, is identified as an associate by physical evidence such as a photograph or other documentation or has been arrested more than once in the
company of identified gang members for offenses consistent with criminal street gang activity.”

Core gang member

Some gangs are large and diversified enough to have an identifiable structure. At the center one may find the leaders of the gang surrounded by the core members. The core members are the more criminally active and
long-term members. Other positions in a gang may include “associates” and “wannabes,” (for whom a better name may be “gonnabes”?). Gangs 101 provides more information on gang structure.

Documented gang member

A documented gang member is an individual who has been officially identified by law enforcement authorities as a gang member. An individual may be identified as a gang member through self-admission (verbal or through
such identifiers as color of clothing, tattoos, etc.), identification by his or her associates, by an individual or individuals living in proximity of the gang member, or through law enforcement intelligence efforts.

Electronic socialization

The process of socialization involves interaction and communication with other human beings through which an individual learns about his or her culture. The process begins at birth and may last for a lifetime. Learning about
one’s culture through the mass media, Internet, and other electronic forms of communication is referred to here as electronic socialization. Electronic socialization may occur without the presence of another living human
being.

Gang displacement

Gang displacement occurs when community and/or law enforcement pressures are brought to bear on the members of a gang and they move their criminal activities to a different location.

Gang entrenchment

Gang entrenchment occurs when a gang establishes a seemingly permanent presence in a given neighborhood. The culture of the neighborhood is the culture of the gang.

In its most complete form, gang entrenchment includes liaisons with area land owners and landlords, local businesses, police, probation and parole officers, prosecutors, local politicians, and public defenders. The liaison may
be clandestine and passive (as when justice practitioners overlook “minor” violations of law such as minors in possession of alcohol or the use of marijuana) or blatant and aggressive.

Field Note: While observing drug dealers in the central city, I discovered area business owners allowed the dealers to store their drugs in the business establishment. The
dealer paid “rent” to the business owner and was seen going in and out of the store all day long picking up a small amount of drugs to sell, going out on the street, selling them,
then returning to the store to load up once again.

Collusion between gang members and business owners and others in a neighborhood makes it very difficult to reduce the gang’s presence.

Gang member-based crime

(Also referred to as “gang-related” or “member-related.”) A gang-related or member-related crime is one in which a gang member is either the perpetrator or the victim or both, regardless of the motive. (National Youth Gang Survey,
1998)A member-related crime is a criminal act which is not motivated by the alleged offender’s gang but was, rather, an act committed for the sole satisfaction and benefit of the alleged offender.

The gang may not even have known about the act. Use of the “member-related” definition for statistical purposes will likely produce higher numbers of gang crimes since it is easier to show an individual is a member of a
gang than to prove that the gang motivated the gang member to commit the crime.

The advantages of using the member-based definition include the tracking of all gang incidents, the increase in intelligence it provides, the numbers it generates may facilitate funding/grant opportunities, and it helps
perpetuate and expand the efforts of anti-gang treatment programs.

Among the disadvantages are an unrealistic inflating of a gang’s criminal activities. Which method of collecting data on gang-related crimes is best … gang-motivated or gang-member based?

Gang motive-based crime

A crime committed by a gang member in which the underlying reason for committing the crime is to further the interests and activities of the gang is referred to as a motive-based crime. The “motive” is the furtherance of
the gang’s interest. (National Youth Gang Survey, 1998)

Field Note: A gang unit sergeant asked “If a registered sex offender walks into a Git-n-Go and steals a candy bar, should it be labeled as a sex offense? The same holds true for
documented gang members. If a documented gang member walked into the Git-n-Go and did the same thing, would that be a gang-motivated crime?”

Gang motive-based crime refers to a criminal act committed by a known gang member on behalf of his or her gang rather than for the sole satisfaction or benefit of the alleged offender. Use of the “gang-motivated” definition
for statistical purposes will likely produce lower numbers of gang crimes due to the difficulty in proving the offender is a gang member and that his illegal act was motivated by his or her gang.

Among the advantages of using the motive-based definition are that it gives a more refined statistic, one that speaks directly to the influence of the gang on the criminal activities of its members. Among the disadvantages
are that “motive” is often difficult to prove, some gang crimes may go unreported, and the lower statistics that it produces may foster a denial of the seriousness of the gang situation. Which method of collecting data on
gang-related crimes is best … gang-motivated or gang-member based?

Good time

As much as one day in every three or four served may be subtracted from the length of the original sentence if the inmate behaves well. That is, with good time an inmate with a 12 years sentence may serve on one third or
one fourth of the original sentence. Upon being released early the inmate will be placed on parole.

Home Invasion

Breaking into or entering a home, apartment, or hotel room for the purpose of committing a criminal act while the resident(s) is present. While Asian gangs are best known for committing this crime, it is also committed by
other kinds of gangs and by non-gang offenders. The reason for waiting to enter until the resident is present is to intimidate the resident so that no police report of the incident is made.

Homies

Homies is plural for “Homey.” “Home boy” may also be used. All refer to a close friend, someone from the same neighborhood, or a fellow gang member.

Immigration Tradition

The tendency for the most recent immigrant group to suffer discrimination and other settlement difficulties often resulting in some of their members joining gangs.

Incarceration

To incarcerate someone is to confine them by use of force. The most common form of incarceration is jail (for adults and juveniles) or prison (exclusively for adults or juveniles who have been tried as adults). There are
facilities for juveniles – sometimes called camps, schools, or farms – where juveniles are confined by force. The level of force used in any facility defines whether it is a place of minimum, medium, or maximum confinement.

Meth

Meth is a shorted form of the word methamphetamine. It is an illegal substance or drug which causes the user to feel a “high.” It often results in physical addition and abnormal, unpredictable, and aggressive behavior. You
can learn more about meth from the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

Miranda Rights

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to be speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot
afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense. Do you understand these rights?” You can learn more about Miranda Rights.

Moniker

The nickname of a gang member or associate. The nickname may be provided by the gang or provided by oneself. Monikers may reveal a personality characteristic of the person they identify, a crime specialty, some other
characteristic of the person, or nothing at all.

Original gangster

An original gangster (O.G.) is typically an older or senior gang member or, in some cases, the founder of the gang. Original gangsters are held in high regard within a gang and sometimes mentor the gang members (Gs) and

1 of 3 2/4/2010 2:31 PM
Into the Abyss: Glossary of Terms http://faculty.missouristate.edu/m/MichaelCarlie/Resources/glossary.htm

wannabes (WBs). In Hispanic/Latino gangs original gangsters are sometimes referred to as veteranos.

Parens Patriae

Latin: A British common law creation whereby the courts have the right to make unfettered decisions concerning people who are not able to take care of themselves. For example, court can make custody decisions regarding
a child or an insane person, even without statute law to allow them to do so, based on their residual, common law-based parens patriae jurisdiction. (Source: Duhaime.org)

Due to their age, juveniles (“minors”) are viewed as incapable of taking care of themselves, therefore the juvenile court (judge) takes on the role of parents (“paren”) to determine the course of action which would be in the
best interest or welfare of the child.

Parole

Some convicted persons are sentenced to prison with no possibility of parole. Most convicted persons sentenced to prison, however, are allowed to be paroled as long as they behave well in prison. If they do behave well they
may be given “good time.” A person placed on parole is one who is given a conditional early release from his or her prison sentence. While on parole the individual must, among other things, stay crime and drug free and report
regularly to his or her parole officer.

Plea bargain

In a plea bargain the accused offers to plead guilty in exchange for a concession from the state (the prosecutor). Among the many possible concession are lowering of the sentence, dropping of one or more charges, dropping
felony charges while keeping misdemeanor charges, or the promise of a short sentence or small fine.

Probable Cause

The set of facts and circumstances which would lead a reasonably intelligent and prudent person to believe a particular individual had committed, was found committing, or is intending to commit a crime.

Probation

A sentence given in lieu of a sentence to prison. A person on probation will be supervised in the community by a probation officer as long as specific conditions of that probation are satisfactorily fulfilled. If any one or more
of the conditions are violated (i.e., committing a crime, carrying a weapon, failing to appear for treatment, failure to report to the probation officer), the probationer may be sent to prison for the remainder of his or her
original sentence.

Prosecutorial merit

A case which, when brought to court, has a high probability of concluding with a plea bargain or a verdict of guilty is referred to as having prosecutorial merit. Cases which have less certain outcomes do not have
prosecutorial merit.

Recidivism

Recidivism, when used in the context of prisons, typically refers to the proportion of inmates who return to prison following their release from a prior period of incarceration. That is, if an inmate serves his time and receives
a conditional early release (called parole) or is discharged (freed after serving a full sentence), commits a new offense, is convicted of it and given a new prison sentence, he has recidivated back to prison.

Prison recidivism rates vary widely from one state to another and depend upon the level of security (minimum, medium, or maximum) at which the inmate was held. Estimates of the nation-wide rate of recidivism varies
from 20% to 40% within the first 2 to 5 years from the date of release from the last incarceration. These are only estimates as few states know whether inmates they released ended up incarcerated in another state or
changed names and ended up locked up in the same state under a new name.

Saturation Policing

Saturation policing involves the assignment of a great number of police to a specific area. It may be used for special occasions (i.e., an event that will bring protesters together, the presence of a dignitary or other individual
or group that is likely to attract criminal activity, a search for a particular individual or individuals) or on a regular basis in response to a known pattern of criminal activity over time. For example, if criminal activity occurs
with some regularity on Fridays in a certain park over a period of several weeks, the police may begin saturating the park area on Fridays to deter such activity as well as to make arrest when possible.

Secondary analysis

When a writer reads original research by other researchers then writes, perhaps, a synthesis of their works, the work that is produced is the result of secondary analysis. The primary analysis was done by the researcher who
produced the original research.

Sets

Perhaps you’ve heard of Bloods, Crips, People, or Folk. Those are the names of gangs and there are many “sets” (or clikas in Hispanic gangs) within each. In some communities there are dozens of Blood sets, Crip sets, and
others. They are each typically named after a different local neighborhood, street, park, school, or valley. Although the set’s’ names may end with the word “Blood,” or “Crip,” it doesn’t mean they know or work with one
another. In fact, there may be bad relations between certain sets within the same gang name (Blood, Crip, etc.) The nature of the relationship between sets varies day to day within the same community and from community
to community.

Shot caller

A gang member who is a leader, one who “calls the shots” in terms of what activity the gang will participate in, who will participate in it, etc. A gang may have more than one shot caller, one for members who commit theft,
another for those involved in the illegal drugs market, and so on.

Social Institution

A social institution consists of a group of people organized around the statuses and roles of the individuals in the group. Those statuses and roles are defined in such a way that they help the social institution achieve its
unique goal or task. Among the more significant social institutions in any society are the family, faith, education, health care, government, commerce, the media, and the justice system.

In the family, some of the statuses would be father, mother, child, brother, sister, uncle, etc. Each status has a variety of roles to play and the roles of each status vary from the other. In the faith community there are, for
example, the statuses of minister and member of the congregation, each with its unique roles. The same principle applies in the other social institutions.

Socialization

The process of social interaction and communication through which an individual comes to learn and internalize the culture of their society or group. Socialization takes place throughout a person’s life but is especially
intense from birth through childhood as we are socialized into society. Socialization continues, for example, as we learn how to do a job, behave in a marriage, act as a parent, and deal with retirement.

Sociology

Sociology is a behavioral science, and a sociologist is someone who studies social relations between people, people and groups, and between groups. Other areas of investigation include culture, social institutions, and social
structures. The impact of the individual upon society and society’s impact on the individual are also a topic of interest to sociologists.

Since its inception in the 1800’s, the study of sociology has expanded to include the field of criminology, gender studies, race and ethnic relations, social psychology, and many others. Visit the site of the Sociology Dictionary
for an extended definition.

Status offense

Status offenses include underage drinking, truancy, curfew violations, incorrigibility, and running away. Status offenses would not be defined as crimes if committed by adults. The word “status” refers to the age of the
offender. Status offenses are offenses only juveniles can commit.

Sweep

A sweep takes place when law enforcement officials, usually with arrest and search warrants in hand, enter a neighborhood with the intent to serve all the arrest warrants (make arrests) and search warrants (conduct
searches). This law enforcement technique is often used when making arrests of a large number of alleged drug-related offenders, prostitution or theft rings, and other large-scale criminal operations.

The following story comes from Katz’s and Webb’s research on the police gang unit in Las Vegas (NV).

In Las Vegas, gang unit officers used a much more aggressive strategy that many of them referred to as a sweep. The members of each gang enforcement squad worked as a team. The team would split into four pairs, each assigned to its own
squad car.

At the beginning of the shift, the team would agree on the areas they were going to sweep and the order in which sweeps would be conducted. To begin, generally all four vehicles would rally at a single point outside the specified
neighborhood. From there, one pair of officers would patrol down the ‘hot street’ – a street or area where gang members were know to loiter or conduct street-level drug sales. Two other pairs in squad cars would patrol the two streets
immediately parallel to the hot street, keeping pace with he lead car.

The forth squad car would remain out of sight at the end of the street, slowly patrolling toward the other three. This tactic involved squeezing gang members toward the center of the targeted area. Then if a suspect fled on foot or in a
vehicle, one of the squad cars would be in position to pursue and stop that person. (Katz and Webb, 2004, p. 262, italics in original.)

Tagger

A tagger is a person who “throws up” graffiti. Throwing up graffiti means putting it up
– on signs, walls, telephone booths, in subway cars, on the sides of train cars,
sidewalks, on street pavement, telephone poles, doors, etc. Some taggers are quite
artistic and their work is now on view in museums in New York City and elsewhere.
From Art Crimes: the Writing on the Wall,
with permission.

Throwing signs

Using their fingers, thumbs, wrists, and arms some gang members form symbols to signify the name of their gang, show signs of
affection, threaten others, and otherwise communicate with others.

Time served

In sentencing an offender to a period of time in jail or prison, a judge, at his or her discretion, may deduct from the sentence the length of time the offender spent in jail awaiting his or her trial. For example, if a suspect

2 of 3 2/4/2010 2:31 PM
Into the Abyss: Glossary of Terms http://faculty.missouristate.edu/m/MichaelCarlie/Resources/glossary.htm

spent one month in jail awaiting trial and was sentenced to six months in jail for his offense, the judge may conclude pronouncement of the sentence saying “Six months less time served.” In this case, the offender has only
five months to serve in jail before he is discharged and set free.

Underclass

An individual from the underclass is one who has typically lived through generations of welfare. It is the lowest social class and it’s members considered as the poorest of all people in the United States.

Wannabes / Gonnabes

Individuals who want to be gang members and be recognized as such. They are sometimes referred to as gonnabes because, whether they like it or not, police, social service workers, and neighborhood residents, are likely to
label them as gang members due to their behavior and they’re “gonnabe” gang members if not diverted from the path they are taking.

Yardie

A term used to signify a Jamaican living in the United Kingdom. It has also taken on a more negative connotation in use as a term to describe Jamaican gang. For more about the Yardies you can read this article by Detective
and Chief Superintendent Roy A. C. Ramm, International and Organized Crime Branch, Scotland Yard London, England.

Zero Tolerance

A policy of zero tolerance means police will not tolerate the violation of any law. The purpose of a zero tolerance policy is to enhance opportunities for temporarily denying suspects of their freedom so that police can find
out who they are, why they are where they are, what they’re doing or intending on doing, and to run their driver license number (or name, or vehicle license plate number) through a police database to determine if the
suspect is wanted or should, for some other reason, be held.

© 2002 Michael K. Carlie
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author and copyright holder – Michael K. Carlie.

3 of 3 2/4/2010 2:31 PM
APPLICATION NO. 77802481
RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION OF November 23, 2009

EXHIBIT E:
“A Systemic Analysis of the Dynamics and Organization of Urban Street Gangs”
The American Journal of Family Therapy, 28:117–132, 2000
Copyright ©2000 Brunner/Mazel
0192-6187 /00 $12.00 + .00

A System ic An alysis of th e Dyn am ics
an d Or gan ization of Urban Street Gan gs

NIKKI M. RUBLE
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

WILLIAM L. TURNER
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

Street gangs function as ongoing, open social systems in relation to
their surrounding sociocultural context. Fundamentally, gangs are
comparable to some family systems. In fact, most gangs do consider
themselves to be “families.” The same concepts used to describe family
systems may also be applied to street gangs. Street gangs usually
exhibit a highly complex organization, structure, process, and func-
tionality. All of these aspects intertwine within and around the gang
to form a web of interconnectedness and continuity. To better un-
derstand street gangs and provide effective intervention plans, they
must be viewed from this systematic and holistic perspective.

Street gangs have been documented in cities in the U.S. throughout most of
the country’s history (Spergel, 1990). In some cities, gangs have been cred-
ited with an alarming share of violent crime, most notedly homicide. Victims
of the serious and often random violence that has come to be known as a
common feature of street gangs have retreated within their communities and
neighborhoods in fear—afraid to let their children walk to school, go to the
corner store, or even play outside of their own homes (Conly, Kelly, Mahanna,
& Warner, 1993). For years, social scientists, police officials, and popular
media have all struggled to understand the essence of street gangs (Sanders,
1994). Perhaps street gangs can be best understood through the lens of a
systemic approach by paying careful attention to their systemic dynamics,
functions, and organizational structures.
Street gangs can be defined as groups of youths and young adults with
varying degrees of cohesion and structure, who have regular contact with

Address correspondence to Nikki Ruble, 230 Sandels Building, Florida State University,
Tallahassee, FL 32306. E-mail: [email protected]

117
118 N. M. Ruble and W. L. Turner

one another, ways of identifying their group, and rules of behavior within
the system (Conly et al., 1993). Gangs serve numerous functions for their
members, including providing a source of status, identity, cohesion, self-
esteem, and a sense of belonging (Harris, 1994). Furthermore, gang mem-
bers experience an intense emotional closeness born of children growing up
together on the street and turn to each other for support and often for the
mere function of survival (Lyon, Henggeler, & Hall, 1992).
There are at least three distinct types of gangs. The first is referred to as
a social gang. This gang is a relatvely permanent group that “hangs out” at a
specific location (i.e., store, street corner, abandoned building). Social gangs
are not likely to participate in serious delinquent activitiy and will engage in
physical violence only if members are attacked and retaliation is unavoid-
able. The group stays together because of mutual attraction among its mem-
bers, rather than through a need for protection or esteem. These gang mem-
bers tend to have the closest association with the norms and values of society
in general (Fagan, 1989). A second type of gang is the delinquent gang. This
gang type is structurally cohesve and is often organized around the pursuit
of monetary gain derived from illegal activity. Gang survival is dependent
upon each member’s precise execution of his/her assignment and the provi-
sion of back-up support when necessary. The accomplishment of these group
enterprises may be viewed by gang members as their method of getting
ahead in the world (Fagan, 1989). A third gang type is the violent gang. The
primary purpose of this gang is to obtain the power and associated emo-
tional gratification that violent activities can bring to youths (Hardy, 1996).
Both leaders and followers tend to overestimate the importance, size, and
power of their group. These gangs tend to have a highly structured hierarchy
of leaders and followers. The violent gang is also characterized by intra-
group violence. Gang members may be verbally violent with one another,
but often hostility and aggression will take on a physical form (Lyon et al.,
1992). Although in some gangs a particular type may be easily distinguished,
there is often a blending of gang types within any given street gang. More-
over, researchers and others who study gangs tend to be more concerned
with categorizing gang types, than are the gang members themselves.
No one has developed a satisfactory count of the number of gang mem-
bers or gangs nationwide. Attempts to do so have been hampered by the
variation of the way gangs have been defined from one site to another
(Conly et al., 1993). However, it has been reported that Los Angeles County
has documented the most gang members and gangs throughout the U.S.
(Harris, 1994). Harris (1994) found that there are at least 600 gangs with an
estimated 100, 000 gang members operating in Los Angeles County. Homi-
cides committed by gang members currently account for approximately 35%
of the homicides in Los Angeles County annually (Rogers, 1993). Through-
out the country, some of the most well-known gangs include the “Crips,” the
“Bloods,” the “Vicelords,” and the “Latin Kings.” The majority of these par-
ticular gangs are located in large cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New
Systemic Analysis of Street Gangs 119

York, Miami, and Milwaukee (Clark, 1992; Hagedorn & Macon, 1988; Sand-
ers, 1994).

DEMOGRAPHICS
Age
The ages of gang members range widely. However, most gangs studied
report members falling between 10 and 30 years of age, with the majority
being between 14 and 24 years old (Huff, 1989; Winfree, Backstrom, & Mays,
1994). Some gang members have been found to be as young as 8 years old.
These younger members are often seen as expendable and are used as drug
couriers (Borringer, 1995).

Gender
Gang behavior, especially gang-related crime, tends to be largely a male
phenomenon (Winfree et al., 1994). Although street gangs are predominately
male, recent research reveals that the number of all female gangs is rising
rapidly (Clark, 1992; Harris, 1994). There may be a number of females asso-
ciated with a particular gang, but they usually serve as auxiliaries or branches
of male gangs. They are often expected to support the male gang com-
pletely, but they are rarely able to become official members (Moore, 1991).
Females associated with male gangs are typically used to carry weapons,
provide alibis, act as spies and lures, and provide sex for male members
(Winfree et al., 1994).

Ethnic and Racial Composition
The ethnic and racial composition of gangs seem to be overrepresented by
minority group members. Most gangs tend to be racially exclusive (Clark,
1992). Gangs are often divided into four main racial groups: African-Ameri-
can origin, Asiatic origin (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Samoan,
and American Indian), European origin (English, Italian, Irish, Slavic, Rus-
sian, and German), and Hispanic origin (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Panama-
nian, and others from Spanish-speaking countries) (Miller, 1975). Overall,
African-American and Hispanic gangs are the most dominant gangs repre-
sented in the gang population (Conly et al., 1993).

Location
Contrary to popular belief, the location of gang activity varies widely. There
are three main areas that gangs usually exist. The primary location for gang
activity is in the inner cities, especially areas in decay. Gangs tend to form in
the shifting, changing, or transitional neighborhoods of the larger cities, such
120 N. M. Ruble and W. L. Turner

as the “projects.” These areas tend to be characterized by social disorganiza-
tion and rapid population shifts (Conly et al., 1993). Another area conducive
to the formation of gangs are stable slums. Stable slums, for example, South
Central Los Angeles, are characterized by areas where population shifts are
slow, permitting patterns of behavior and traditions to develop over a num-
ber of years (Siegel & Senna, 1985). A third place gangs originate is suburban
and rural areas (Conly et al., 1993). Slums and ghettos have shifted from the
inner city or ring city, to suburban areas—that is, to formerly middle-class
areas that are now in decay. In the past 10 years, many gangs have claimed
this turf as their own and have begun to take over some suburban housing
projects. The fact that there is less intensive police patrol in these areas has
contributed to the shift of gangs out of the cities and slums to the outer
edges of certain districts (Siegel & Senna, 1985).

GANGS AS SYSTEMS

From a systems perspective, street gangs can be viewed as ongoing, open,
social systems. As is true of street gangs, social systems function as a whole
in relation to their sociocultural context (Broderick, 1990). Each member of
the gang affects and is affected by other members and by the context of
which they operate. In line with systems’ thinking, street gangs are funda-
mentally comparative to family systems. The same concepts that are used to
describe family systems, such as hierarchies, subsystems and suprasystems,
entropy and negentropy, boundaries, communication, and homeostasis
(Broderick, 1990; Minuchin, 1974; Walsh, 1982), can also be applied to the
street gang. Because most gangs do consider themselves to be a kind of
family, it is both critical and prudent that they be viewed and studied from
the family systems perspective (Vigil, 1988.) For many gang members, their
gang family is the only family that they have. The street gang functions as a
“surrogate family,” providing its members with affection, understanding, rec-
ognition, loyalty, and emotional and physical protection (Morales, 1992).
This sense of companionship and belonging fills a void that has been left
empty by the gang member’s previous family relationships (Hardy, 1996).
For some gang members, they join because they do not have another family;
for others, they join to escape a dysfunctional situation in their families of
origin (Vigil, 1988). Once a youth has gained membership with a gang, he/
she is fully accepted as a family member. Many gang members report that
they are willing to die or kill for their gang, expressing their ultimate love
and loyalty to their gang family (Belitz & Valdez, 1994).

Hierarchies
From a systems perspective, gangs, like families, have an organized structure
within which their members assume roles and carry out certain responsibili-
Systemic Analysis of Street Gangs 121

ties. Both are organized based on hierarchies (Haley, 1976). In families, par-
ents are in the executive position of leadership in the family, and children
assume the subordinate position. In the leadership role, parents have the
responsibility of making decisions that will affect the safety and security of
all family members (Minuchin, 1974). Most street gangs are organized in
much the same way. Joe (1994, p. 396) states, “Gangs are interconnected and
hierarchically organized according to age and experience.” Most researchers
and practitioners agree that gangs usually consist of a set of leaders, periph-
eral members, and recruits (Conly et al., 1993). The hierarchy and structure
of most street gangs can be described by beginning with the hardcore gang
member or the “OG,” which stands for “original gangster.” This type of gang
member is heavily involved in the gang, making it central to his or her life.
The “OG” is often a violent criminal and he or she is very committed to gang
activities. The original gangster has usually been part of the street gang for a
long period of time. Because of his/her experience, the “OG” is often looked
up to by other, less experienced gang members. Novice gang members may
look to the “OG” for guidance, support, and protection as they navigate their
way through the first stages of their gang membership. The “associate” gang
member usually knows people in the gang, but does not participate in all
gang activities. He or she participates in some gang activities, but is less
likely to get involved with the more serious, sometimes deadly or illegal
activities of the gang. The “wannabe” is often infatuated with gang behavior.
Wannabes are usually associated, but not committed, to the gang. This type
of gang affiliate is often in middle school or just slightly older (Jackson, as
cited in Conly et al., 1993).
Street gangs may have one leader or multiple leaders and multiple cliques,
each with a slightly different interest and responsibility in the gang (Conly et
al., 1993). Leadership in the gang has been described as (a) multiple, where
there is more than a single leader at any one time; (b) informal, where the
choice of a leader is not structured; (c) situational, where the leadership role
may only be in certain situations; and (d) functional, where situated leader-
ship is based on a particular function (Sanders, 1994). Whatever the leader-
ship structure may be, it is certain that proven leaders have specific, known
qualities. One member of the “Latin Kings” stated, “Leaders must be daring,
dangerous, and not afraid” (Hagedorn & Macon, 1988, p. 93).

Subsystems
Any given system consists of smaller systems called subsystems. Family sub-
systems have their own interdependence and mutual influence among their
members (Nichols & Everett, 1986). There are three main subsystems in the
average family: the spousal or couple, the parental, and the sibling sub-
system (Minuchin, 1974). The spousal/couple subsystem refers to the bond
between partners. The parental subsystem (often called the executive sub-
system) refers to the responsibilities and duties involved in parenting. The
122 N. M. Ruble and W. L. Turner

sibling subsystem refers to the relationship and interactions among siblings
(Minuchin, 1974 ). Subsystems are most visible in the street gang in the form
of cliques. Most cliques seem to be age-graded, although some cliques have
mixed-age membership (Hagedorn & Macon, 1988). Cliques may form within
the hierarchical structure of the gang-producing subsystems among leaders,
associates, and wannabes. A parental clique may form among the leaders of
the group. The parental clique may act as the “parents” of the gang. The
leaders of the gang act as a parental subsystem by “watching over” gang
members and activities, and providing guidance, direction, and protection
for the new and/or less experienced gang members. Spousal or couple sub-
systems may be seen in gangs (especially male gangs) within the relation-
ships that form between gang members and the female auxiliaries that “hang”
with the gang. Often these females are expected to support their male com-
panions as “spouses,” but are rarely allowed to become official members of
the gang. Sibling subsystems often form among the cliques that consist mainly
of associate and wannabe members. These less experienced members often
join together as “siblings” to provide one another the support needed as they
begin to gain experience in the gang. One study found that in Los Angeles,
gangs that contain about 100 to 125 members produce cliques with an aver-
age of 30 to 40 members each. These cliques have fluid membership and
some sort of connection to the other cliques in the gang (Hagedorn & Macon,
1988).

Suprasystems
All systems are embedded within larger systems called suprasystems (Nichols
& Everett, 1986). Families are surrounded by suprasystems in the form of
friends, extended family, neighborhoods, communities, schools, the work-
place, and an overall social and ethnic environmental element (Broderick,
1990). The suprasystems that are most likely to affect and be affected by the
street gang are the community or neighborhood of which the gang is a part
and the law enforcement agencies that patrol the location where the gang
frequently operates. Researchers who work with Los Angeles Chicano gang
members state, “The word for gang and for neighborhood is identical. ‘Mi
barrio’ refers equally to ‘my gang’ and ‘my neighborhood’” (Hagedorn &
Macon, 1988, p. 134).
The social balance between a gang and its community seems to be a
delicate one. In some communities, gangs are afforded a certain amount of
community tolerance. This community tolerance generally exists for three
reasons:

1. gang members may be family members and neighbors of community
residents;
2. community residents identify with the economic and social challenges
that gang youths face;
Systemic Analysis of Street Gangs 123

3. a gang may help to establish some degree of order in its community,
for example, by protecting local businesses from attacks from rival
gangs (Jankowski, 1991).

Law enforcement agencies (such as police officers) interface with gangs on a
regular basis. Sanders (1994, p. 178) states that police officers “stand as society’s
institutional interface in the social construction of gang activities.” However,
interviews reveal that gang members often have an intense dislike for police
officers who use unnecessary “strong-arm” tactics when arresting or ques-
tioning them. Gang members may feel vengeful when police officers behave
unprofessionally, and it is likely that they will seize the first opportunity to
“get even.” When police officers demonstrate personal concern for gang
members (i.e., asking how they’re doing when they see them on the streets),
in some cases, a mutual respect will develop between the officers and some
gang members. Veteran police officers and gang members may know each
other on a first-name or nickname basis, and may demonstrate a great deal
of respect for one another (Huff, 1989).

Entropy
A system that is either too open or too closed will probably be dysfunctional.
At either extreme, the system can be described as being in a state of entropy.
Entropic systems are often moving toward maximum disorder and disinte-
gration. In these disorganized systems, the members may use their energy
thoughtlessly or in a random manner. When energy is used in such a way,
the system is in chaos and out of balance. By allowing in either too much
information or not enough information, the identity and survival of the sys-
tem may be threatened. In families, for example, tasks may be pursued in a
conflictual or haphazard manner causing nothing to ever get done. When
this happens, a sense of coherence or order seems to be lacking. The ab-
sence of organization may be undermining the ability of the family members
to successfully complete their tasks. The movement of the system at this
point is toward entropy (Becvar & Becvar, 1982).
Gangs depend on organization for the survival of the system. Some
gangs are highly organized, while others have very little organization (Sand-
ers, 1994). A gang that has little organization may naively use all of its energy
and then begin to decay. Entropy is likely to occur in newly formed gangs,
who do not yet understand the structure and functions that keep the gang
system alive. Gangs that operate in a disorganized state may allow too much
or not enough information to enter the system. For example, if the gang
does not have clear external boundaries and allows unknown outsiders to
enter the gang, they may open themselves up to a vulnerable state. In this
state, some of the core rules and boundaries that hold the gang together may
be threatened and the system may begin to disintegrate.
A gang that is moving toward entropy will soon be dissembled unless
124 N. M. Ruble and W. L. Turner

new information is introduced into the homeostatic system. A gang that is in
a state of decay requires negentropy to build it back up. Negentropy is a
movement away from disorder. Negentropy can be described as the intro-
duction of new energy into the static system. The system is allowing infor-
mation to come in and is permitting change that is appropriate, while it is
screening out information and avoiding changes that would threaten the
survival of the system (Becvar & Becvar, 1982). New energy may enter the
gang system when new members are initiated into the gang or when the
gang experiences a change in leadership. Gang violence also seems to add
an enormous amount of energy into the gang. For example, drive-by shootings
and gangbangs are a continuing source of power for the gang (Sanders,
1994). When gang members participate in violent activities, the gang system
is strengthened by the bond that forms among the members. The more
members collaborate to pull off violent activities for the “good” of the gang,
the stronger this bond becomes. This new energy, whether it be positive or
negative behavior, may allow the gang to reconstruct its system and resist
the breakdown enforced by entropy.

Boundaries
The systems concept of boundaries is very important to the structure and
function of the street gang. In families, boundaries are characterized by the
physical and emotional barriers that distinguish individuals and families and
regulate the amount of contact occurring among them (Minuchin, 1974).
Boundaries delineate where one system stops and another system begins
(Nichols & Everett, 1986). Boundaries regulate membership in the gang (i.e.,
who is in and who is out), and information in the gang (i.e., what is or is not
done or talked about within the gang or outside of the gang). Street gangs
tend to have rigid boundaries, which denotes that boundaries are relatively
impermeable. Gangs typically do not approve of active members having
friends, especially close friends, outside of the gang (Winfree et al., 1994).
Members tend to establish group boundaries and consider those outside the
group as “pousers.” Those who have not been formerly initiated into the
gang are considered outsiders and are not able to cross the boundaries that
surround the gang. Gang members are very careful not to discuss gang
activities and plans with outsiders for fear that they may be enemies and/or
spies for a rival gang, and thus a threat to the gang system (Kennedy &
Baron, 1993).
Street gangs base much of their structure on the fact that their bound-
aries are impermeable. Gangs take pride in having selective membership
practices and codes of secrecy. Members are selected into a gang only after
they demonstrate the necessary skills required, and the ability to be loyal
and committed to the gang. Most gangs have highly rigorous initiation pro-
cesses which involve perspective members demonstrating their ability to
understand the unwritten rules of the gang. The initiation process usually
Systemic Analysis of Street Gangs 125

entails a physical beating by several other gang members. The beating must
be endured without complaint and without fighting back. The slightest whim-
per or other expressed signs of pain could result in rejection of membership.
The initiation process can be considered a prerequisite to weed out the
weak and uncommitted (Vigil, 1988).
Within the gang, unwritten rules inform members of appropriate norms
and behaviors expected among the gang and of the traditional attitudes felt
about other gangs in the area. Unwritten rules center on covert behaviors
and beliefs such as:

(a) appropriate gang colors and attire;
(b) roles and duties delineated to members;
(c) ownership of turf and how that turf is to be protected;
(d) which gangs are rival gangs and why those gangs have become
enemies.

The gang member who fails to live up to the gang’s requirements (i.e.,
the member who does not defend his honor) incurs immediate loss of status,
removal from the gang, physical harm, or even the risk of being killed
(Kennedy & Baron, 1993).

Communication
All behavior is regarded as communication, transmitting interpersonal mes-
sages (Walsh, 1982). Within a family system, communication occurs continu-
ously through both verbal and nonverbal interactions (Minuchin, 1974). Street
gangs communicate both between and across systems with the use of their
own unique language, which is mostly nonverbal and symbolic. There is a
distinct emphasis on symbols and colors (Vigil, 1988). For example, in Los
Angeles, the street gang known as the Crips wear blue, usually in the form of
bandannas, as their identifying color. Conversely, the gang known as the
Bloods, use the color red to signify their gang affiliation (Clark, 1992). In
large gangs, hand signals are used to identify themselves to one another and
to other gang members. For instance, holding up three fingers on the right
hand signifies membership with the Latin Kings. The three fingers represent
the tips of a king’s crown (Hagedorn & Macon, 1988). Tagging (more com-
monly known as graffiti) is one of the most widely used types of gang
communication. Gang names, the street names of their members, and vari-
ous self-laudatory and rival-deprecatory comments make up typical tagging
messages. Some messages are simple and crude, while others are elaborate
and artistic. The terms “gangster,” “gang,” “gangbanger,” and “mob” are used
frequently in gang graffiti, revealing something about the tagger’s self-iden-
tity. Crip and Blood graffiti often include the characters C/K or B/K, which
stand for Crip-killer or Blood-killer. When a gang wants to challenge a rival
gang, they will paint an X over their rival’s tagging message, and place their
126 N. M. Ruble and W. L. Turner

own name on the wall (Sanders, 1994). The number “187,” which is the Los
Angeles Police Department’s code for murder, is also used extensively by
gang taggers. By placing the number “187” next to another gangster’s name
on a building or wall, the message is clearly a foreshadowing for a gang hit.
Some graffiti messages are quite complex. For example, the message, “Cyco
33 OG 8-ball” has a variety of messages within it. “Cyco” is the nickname of
the tagger. The number “33” refers to the tagger being a member of a 33rd
Street gang. “OG” stands for original gangster. To use the letters “OG,” the
gangster is probably someone who has killed for the gang. Last, “8-ball” is a
code meaning someone who deals cocaine (Borringer, 1995). All of the types
of communication used by gangs help to maintain the boundaries within
and around the gang. The communication style of colors and symbols are
especially important in maintaining the rigid membership boundaries that
surround the gang.
Within a gang system, members may communicate with one another by
using similar symbolic messages. For example, hand signals are often used
to send brief messages to one another, especially in a life-threatening situa-
tion when verbal communication is too timely and dangerous. Gang mem-
bers may also use a number of code words and slang language to communi-
cate with one another. This type of language helps to maintain the boundaries
around the system, and protect the gang’s secrets from pousers in gangs that
have a large membership (Borringer, 1995) .

Homeostasis/ Morphogenesis
The concept of homeostasis assumes that systems attempt to maintain stabil-
ity in the midst of frequent internal and external changes to the system.
Homeostatic systems are able to accept change, but only within certain limits
(Minuchin, 1974). More appropriately, gangs like family systems, are mor-
phogenic in nature, meaning that they tend to change in response to their
environment in order to maintain continuity within their system. In families,
members may contribute to this homeostatic balance through a mutually
reinforcing feedback loop. Family members seek to regulate tension and to
restore the family equilibrium or homeostasis (Walsh, 1982).
Street gangs may be either homeostatic or morphogenic in their struc-
ture and activities. Homeostatic gangs may adapt to change, but they are not
hypersensitive to environmental stimuli. These gangs tend to be more rigid
in their structure, and thus they are more resistant to change. Homeostatic
gangs are not likely to endure over time. They tend to come onto the gang
scene with lots of strength, but eventually they surrender to the impact of
entropy. Gangs that are in an extensive homeostatic state are often too rigid
to allow negentropy to enter their system, and as a result, they begin to
decay and ultimately fizzle out.
Some gangs tend to be morphogenic instead of homeostatic in their
Systemic Analysis of Street Gangs 127

systemic nature. The morphogenic gang is more receptive to change. These
gangs are very sensitive to environmental stimuli, and they may readily al-
low new information to enter the system to resist the breakdown enforced
by entropy. The morphogenic gang tends to gain strength over time. Ex-
amples of morphogenic gangs include the Crips and the Bloods of Los Ange-
les. These gangs have withstood the test of time by having both flexible and
rigid boundaries when appropriate. Morphogenic gangs learn from their
experiences, adjust to new information, and may eventually reach a mor-
phogenic state characterized by ultra stability.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Utility of Systems Concepts
Applying systemic concepts to street gangs allows for an acknowledgment
that gangs, as all systems, have multiple and complex levels. All levels of
street gangs must be reviewed before prevention and intervention strategies
will be effective. Viewing gangs from this holistic and systemic perspective
provides a number of benefits for both researchers and practitioners:

1. Family systems thinking explains not only why, but also how gangs
function as a whole. This allows for some of the negative and blame-
ful language to be shifted away from gang life, and for more empathetic
ideas to be introduced into the study of street gangs. For example, if
clinicians and researchers understood the systemic functioning of
street gangs, interventions could be organized to address all aspects
and dimensions of the life of a gang member.
2. Understanding gangs as systems helps to explain the function that
they serve for their members based on a holistic perspective. The
functionality of gangs may be viewed in terms of a breakdown in the
home, neighborhood, and/or community. Therefore, programs and
interventions aimed toward gang members should encompass a
multilevel approach, inclusive of individual, family, community, and
cultural influences.
3. Systems thinking enables outsiders to understand the structure and
hierarchy of gang organization. Understanding power balances and
cliques within the gang can be helpful when implementing interven-
tion plans. For example, because gang leaders and original gangsters
have such a high level of influence over other gang members, an
intervention plan that targets the upper level of the hierarchy may
have a ripple effect for the rest of the gang.
4. Knowledge of street gangs from a systems’ perspective provides in-
formation on how members can replace dysfunctional systems with
128 N. M. Ruble and W. L. Turner

more appropriate, working systems. Appropriate systems may be
developed by providing alternative resources and activities in place
of repetitive gang activities. For example, intervention programs that
teach gang members job skills and provide job placement will redirect
gang members into more positive activities, instead of just lecturing
to members that they should not participate in negative gang activities.
5. Understanding the systemic cohesion involved in gang membership
provides knowledge about how gangs operate as “family systems.”
Sensitivity toward gang loyalty and codes of secrecy allows for a
conducive environment for intervention plans. Thus, gangs should
be viewed as family systems who care for, protect, and support one
another. Although violent activity may accompany certain aspects of
gang life, there are other parts of gang membership that are not often
discussed. The cohesion, connectedness, loyalty, and protective na-
ture of gang organization often receive little or no attention. It is
important that these concepts be recognized, since violence is often
a forced product of these underlying assumptions that hold street
gangs together.

FAMILY THERAPY INTERVENTIONS

Since family dysfunction has often been identified as a correlate to gang
involvement, intervention and treatment plans must focus on the underlying
family issues that may have led the gang member to search for another
family system. Much of the therapy process may need to center around the
family’s history of violence, neglect, and/or abuse. Families must acknowl-
edge the impact that abuse and/or neglect has had on the family system and
on the individual child who has suffered and/or witnessed the family violence.
Understanding the gang member’s emotional responses to family traumas
allows for a better understanding of the context and meaning of his/her
gang participation (Belitz & Valdez, 1994). Family therapy should also ad-
dress the family’s dynamics, roles, rules, and means for resolving family
conflict (Clark, 1992). Understanding these concepts within the family sys-
tem provides a window into the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that may
have been learned from the youth’s family of origin and then later modeled
through gang membership and activities.
A primary goal for family therapy is to assist the family in verbally ex-
pressing and listening to one another without becoming aggressive or puni-
tive. Family therapy allows the gang member to express the anger, hurt,
resentment, and sense of rejection at those in the family who may have
abused, neglected, or failed to protect the youth (Belitz & Valdez, 1994). This
time for expression forces parents and other family members to actively
listen to the emotional expression of the youth with the support and guid-
ance of a therapist. For many family members, this may be the first time they
Systemic Analysis of Street Gangs 129

have heard the emotional context surrounding the youth’s gang member-
ship. For the youth, this may be the only time he or she feels safe enough to
express those deeply buried feelings and emotions. Concurrently, families
need to be taught healthy and effective communication patterns as the main
mechanism for resolving family conflict in a way that is both respectful to
individuals and to the family system. During these therapy sessions, when
the lines of communication are finally open for the family, the issue of for-
giveness must be addressed. If parents and family members want forgive-
ness for events that have taken place in the past, they must ask for it. Be-
cause some of the youth’s scars are so deeply embedded, it may take months
or even years for forgiveness to take place. If parents and other family mem-
bers do not feel a need to ask for forgiveness, the gang member must be
prepared to let go of his or her anger and initiate the healing process without
the support of parents and/or family members.
It is very important during family sessions that the youth’s role in the
family be explored and redefined. For example, gang-related activities and
behaviors that are violent may be reframed as learned behavior from the
youth’s family of origin (Belitz & Valdez, 1994). New and more appropriate
beliefs and behaviors must be introduced to the youth and his or her family
during therapy sessions. Furthermore, a discussion on gender roles and societal
stereotypes of men and women is also highly relevant. For many gang mem-
bers, the only male and female role models they have had are of a dominant
and violent father and a dependent and submissive mother. These concepts
and beliefs should be explored by the therapist, followed by a psycho-
educational approach to challenge the learned gender roles adopted by the
youth and his or her family.
Family sessions should also explore the sociocultural stressors that are
influencing the youth and the family system. Discussions of the cultural context
surrounding the family offers insight and understanding into a number of family
dynamics and the cultural meaning of gang participation. Therapy sessions
should focus on identifying cultural strengths and integrating those strengths
into more positive individual and family identities (Belitz & Valdez, 1994).
If gang youth are still living at home, parents need to be empowered as
the decision-making adults in the family. Family rules need to be established
along with the consequences for breaking those rules (Belitz & Valdez, 1994).
Structural family therapy can be used to help redefine the parents as the
executive subsystem. Youth need to understand their place in the family
hierarchy and learn the new roles and behaviors that are involved in being
part of the child subsystem. Exercises in the therapy room, such as role plays
and family sculptures, can help to reinforce the new hierarchial structure.
Some families may bring multigenerational gang involvement into fam-
ily therapy. This may complicate family intervention because family members
support one another in their gang activity. For this reason, it is important that
multigenerational gang participation be dealt with directly, keeping in mind
the family’s systemic dynamics (Clark, 1992).
130 N. M. Ruble and W. L. Turner

Supplementary Interventions
Although family therapy should be the main focus of intervention for gang
youth, other treatment plans, such as individual and group work, also can be
effective and valuable components of the therapy process. Individual work,
in conjunction with family therapy, allows youth to explore their own identities
both within their family system and as independent and autonomous indi-
viduals outside of the system. Individual treatment with gang members should
focus on identifying how basic needs are being met by gang participation.
Identifying these needs includes exploring the gang member’s yearning for a
family to provide basic dependency needs and the quest for the gang to
provide psychological and cultural identity. It should be noted that asking a
gang member to drop out of the gang so that productive therapy can con-
tinue is a highly unrealistic request. Gang members should be encouraged to
develop more adaptive ways of meeting needs and functioning in the larger
world so that gang involvement can progressively become less important.
Gang members should also be encouraged to maintain the positive elements
that may be associated with gang membership, such as being strong, loyal,
willing to take risks, and being a survivor. Furthermore, individual treatment
may allow for gang members to philosophically examine the meaning of life
and death, their own underlying meaning of gang involvement, the impor-
tance of morality, and the human capacity for positive and negative thoughts
and behaviors (Belitz & Valdez, 1994).
Group therapy can be a powerful agent of change for many gang mem-
bers. Group work is most effective after some family and individual work
has already been done. Once the youth has committed to making a change
in his or her life, the group process can be used as a strong reinforcement
agent to achieve these goals. Participating in a group often allows gang
members to receive validation for their feelings and experiences. This helps
participants to break down the artificial barriers that separate them from rival
gang members and reduces the alienation they may feel when they are out-
side their gang territory. A major focus of group work with gang members is
exploring identity issues and how participating in a gang relates to those
issues. The group also facilitates the learning of new social skills, such as
providing and receiving feedback among peers, being assertive in a
nonaggressive manner, and providing and receiving emotional support from
peers, family members, and role models. Furthermore, the group process
should include an education series about mentoring and tutoring services,
job skills development, and employment assistance. The effectiveness of the
group process is further strengthened if former gang members either help
lead the group or come to the group on a regular basis to offer their own
experiences related to gang membership. Current gang members are often
empowered and motivated by former gang members who have now suc-
ceeded in more positive endeavors.
In order to conduct a successful group of diverse gang members, some
Systemic Analysis of Street Gangs 131

specific rules must be enforced. Some rules may include maintaining the
property where the group is held as neutral territory, no tagging or graffiti on
the property, showing respect for others by not verbally or physically threat-
ening one another, allowing everyone an opportunity to participate, and
attending on a voluntary basis (Belitz & Valdez, 1994).

CONCLUSION
For years, it has been popular belief that street gangs are just a collection of
hoodlums who only cause trouble and make neighborhoods look bad. Little
research has been conducted on how gangs operate as systems and what
systemic function the gang serves for the members who are part of that
system. As stated earlier, the gang serves as a family for most gang members.
Many individuals who join gangs are looking for the closeness, cohesion,
and acceptability that they have been deprived of elsewhere. A gang may
provide members with esteem, stability, and a connection with the world
that they have never experienced. Granted, gangs may also provide danger
and violence for their members, but to truly understand street gangs, those
aspects cannot be studied as separate entities. Gangs, as all systems, function
based on an interrelatedness that connects every aspect of gang life together
within a complex web of interactions. Successful research endeavors and
prevention and intervention programs must aim to approach street gangs
from a holistic and systematic perspective, taking into account the highly
complex structure, process, functionality, and culture that are located within
the core of every street gang.

REFERENCES
Becvar, R. J., & Becvar, D. S. (1982). Systems theory and family therapy: A primer.
New York: University Press of America.
Belitz, J., & Valdez, D. (1994). Clinical issues in the treatment of Chicano male gang
youth. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 16, 57–74.
Borringer, S. (1995). Personal communication. Appalachian State University, Boone,
NC.
Broderick, C. B. (1990). Family process theory. In J. Sprey (Ed.) Fashioning family
theory: New approaches (pp. 171–206). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Clark, C. M. (1992). Deviant adolescent subcultures: Assessment strategies and clini-
cal interventions. Adolescence, 27, 283–293.
Conly, C. H., Kelly, P., Mahanna, P., & Warner, L. (1993). Street gangs: Current
knowledge and strategies. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice.
Fagan, J. (1989). The social organization of drug use and drug dealing among urban
gangs. Criminology, 27, 649–652.
Hagedorn, J., & Macon, P. (1988). People and folks: Gangs, crime, and the underclass
in a rustbelt city. Chicago: Lake View Press.
Haley, J. (1976). Problem-solving therapy. San Francisco: Jossey–Bass.
132 N. M. Ruble and W. L. Turner

Hardy, K. (1996, March). Adolescents and violence. Workshop presented at the An-
nual Meeting of the Kentucky Association for Marriage and Family Therapy,
Louisville, KY.
Harris, M. G. (1994). Cholas, Mexican-American girls and gangs. Sex Roles, 30, 289–301.
Huff, C. R. (1989). Youth gangs and public policy. Crime and Delinquency, 35, 524–537.
Jankowski, M. S. (1991). Islands in the street: Gangs and American urban society.
Berkeley: University of California Press.
Joe, K. A. (1994). The new criminal conspiracy? Asian gangs and organized crime in
San Francisco. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 31, 390–415.
Kennedy, L. W., & Baron, S. W. (1993). Routine activities and subculture of violence:
A study of violence on the street. Journal of Research in Crime and Delin-
quency, 30, 88–112.
Lyon, J. M., Henggeler, S., & Hall, J. A. (1992). The family relations, peer relations,
and criminal activities of Caucasian and Hispanic-American gang members. Jour-
nal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 20, 439–449.
Miller, W. (1975). Violence by youth gang and youth groups as a crime problem in
major American cities. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and family therapy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Univer-
sity Press.
Moore, J. W. (1991). Going down in the barrio: Homeboys and homegirls in change.
Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.
Morales, A. T. (1992). Latino youth gangs: Causes and clinical intervention. In L. A.
Vargas & J. Koss-Chioino (Eds.) Working with culture: Psychotherapeutic inter-
vention with ethnic minority children and adolescents (pp. 129–154). San Fran-
cisco: Jossey–Bass.
Nichols, W. C., & Everett, C. A. (1986). Systemic family therapy: An integrative ap-
proach. New York: Guilford.
Rogers, C. (1993). Gang-related homicides in Los Angeles County. 43rd Annual Meeting
of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Journal of Forensic Sciences,
38, 831–834.
Sanders, W. B. (1994). Gangbangs and drive-bys: Grounded culture and juvenile
gang violence. New York: Aldine De Gruyter.
Siegel, L. J., & Senna, J. J. (1985). Juvenile gangs in the United States. In Juvenile
delinquency: Theory, practice, and law, (2nd ed., pp. 253–276). St. Paul, MN:
West Publishing.
Spergel, I. (1990). Youth gangs: Continuity and change. In N. Morris & M. Tonry
(Eds.) Crime and justice: A review of research (pp. 177–179). Chicago: Univer-
sity of Chicago Press.
Vigil, J. D. (1988). Barrio gangs: Street life and identity in Southern California. Aus-
tin, TX: University of Texas Press.
Walsh, F. (1982). Conceptualizations of normal family functioning. In F. Walsh (Ed.)
Normal family processes (pp. 3–28). New York: Guilford Press.
Winfree, L. T., Backstrom, T. V., & Mays, G. L. (1994). Social learning theory, self-
reported delinquency, and youth gangs: A new twist on a general theory of
crime and delinquency. Youth & Society, 26, 147–177.
APPLICATION NO. 77802481
RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION OF November 23, 2009

EXHIBIT F:
Lyrics for “O.G. Original Gangster”
Ice-T – O.G. Original Gangster lyrics http://www.lyriczz.com/lyrics/ice-t/17414-o.g.-original-gangster/

Top Music Charts Artist Name: # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Song Title: # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
USA Lyrics Chart
UK Lyrics Chart
Netherlands Lyrics

Song Lyrics

Ice-T – O.G. Original Gangster Lyrics

» Request Lyrics Send “O.G. Original Gangster” Ringtone to your Cell
» Submit Lyrics Play this song
Ten years ago
I used to listen to rappers flow
Talkin’ bout the way Print these LyricZZ!
They rocked the mic at the disco
I liked how that shit was goin’ down
With my own sound
So I tried to write rhymes
Somethin’ like them, my boys said,
“That ain’t you Ice,

That shit sounds like them.”
So I sat back, thought up a new track
Didn’T fantasize, kicked the pure
Facts. Motherfuckers got scared
Cause they weas unprepaired
who would tell it how it relly was?
Who dared?
A motherfucker from the West Coast
L.A. South Central fool
Where the Crips and the Bloods play
When I wrote about parties
It didn’t fit
Six in the Mornin’
That was the real shit

[CHORUS]
O.G. Original Gangster

When I wrote about parties
Linkzz Someone always died
When I tried to write happy
Yo I knew I lied, I lived a life of crime
» Free Music Why play ya blind?
» Lyrics A simple look
» All song lyrics and anyone with two cents
» Lyricsreg would know I’m
» Lyred A hardcore player fromhe streets
» Videos and Lyrics Rappin’ bout hardcore topics
» Lyrics And Songs Over hardcore drum beats
» Lyricspy a little different
» Ask Lyrics Than the average though
» Lyrics Spot.com Jet you thru the fast lane
» Songs Lyrics Drop ya on death row
» Songtext page Cause anybody who’s been there
» Your Site here? Knows that life ain’t sho lovely
On the blood-soaked fast track
That invincible shit don’t work
Throw ya in a joint
You’ll be comin’ out feet first
So I blst the mic with my style
Sometimes I’m ill
The other times buck wild
But the science is always there
I’d be a true sucker
If I acted like I didn’T care
I rap for brothers just like myself
Dazed by the game
In a quest for extreme wealth
But I kick it to you hard and real
One wrong move, and you caps peeled
I ain’t no super hero
I ain’t no Marvel Comic
But when it comes to game I’m atomic
At droppin’ it straight
Point blank and untwisted
No imagination needed, cause I lived it
This ain’t no fuckin’ joke

1 of 2 3/12/2010 10:16 AM
Ice-T – O.G. Original Gangster lyrics http://www.lyriczz.com/lyrics/ice-t/17414-o.g.-original-gangster/
This shit is real to me
I’m Ice-T

O.G.

Two weeks ago I was out at the disco
Two brothers stepped up to me
And said
“Hey yo, Ice
We don’t think you’re down
What set ya claimin’?”
E drew the Glock, yo my set’s aimin’!
Dumb motherfucker
Try to roll on me, please!
I’m protected by a thousand emcees
and hoodlums and hustlers
And bangers with Jeri curls
we won’t even count the girls
Cause they got my back
And I got theirs too
Fight for the streets
When I’m on Oprah or Donahue
They try to sweat a nigga
But they just didn’T figure
What my wit’s as quick as a hair trigger
“He’s not your everyday-type
Prankster.”

I’m Ice-T, the original gangster

So step to me
If you think that you’re ready to
Got on your bullet proof?
Well mine’s goin’ right thru
This ain’t no game to me
It’s hollow fame to me
Without respect frome streets
So I don’t claim be
The hardest motherfucker on earth
Catch me slippin, I can even get worked
But I don’T slip that often
there’s a coffin
Waitin’ for the brother
Who comes off soft when
The real fuckin’ shit goes down
Take a look around
all them pussies can be found
they talk a mean fight
But fight like hoes
I’m from South Central, fool
Where everything goes
Snatch you out your car so fast
You’ll get whiplash
Numbers on your roof top
For when the copters pass
Gang bangers
Don’t carry no switch blades
Every kid’s got a Tec 9 or a
Hand grenade
Thirty-seven killed
Last week in a crack war

Hostges tied up
And shot in a liquor store
Nobody gives a fuck
“The children have to go to school.”
Well, moms, good luck
Cause the shit’s fucked up bad
I use my pad and pen
And my lyrics break out mad
I try to write about fun
andthe goodtimes
But the pen yanks away and explodes
And destroys the rhyme
Maybe it’s just cause of where I’m from
L.A. that was a shot gun!

[CHORUS]

Send “O.G. Original Gangster” Ringtone to your Cell

Ice-T lyrics

2 of 2 3/12/2010 10:16 AM