How to throw up gang signs

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Have you ever wondered how to properly throw up a gang sign or point one out? West Coast rapper, Game, gives you a comprehensive look on exactly how to gang bang in this video.

Jayceon Taylor chopped it up with UberUrbanand shows his handy work. This video helps you out if you want to spot a wannabe thug or correctly point out actual gangstas from tossing the menacing gestures. Bloods, Crips and each division of the gangs and their signs are explained in this viral video.

“I’m from Compton, really thugging.  I done got shot throwing up gang signs. I got two dead brothers, that ain’t funny. RIP to my brother Charles and my brother Jovann who died recklessly. Got murdered, murder is still unsolved. That’s why gangbangin’ ain’t funny,” says the Jesus Piece rapper. “So sometimes when you are throwing up your P or throwing up your B, you look like you are a bad man to me, or to a real gangster. You might want to watch it cause it gets kind of serious.”

A proper disclaimer is aired at the beginning of this video not to try this outside of your home. However, something tells us this is going to come back to bite somebody in the butt very soon. Check out the full video down below.

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Photo: YouTube

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

Hand signs[edit]

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

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

Clothing and other forms of identification[edit]

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

Bandanas[edit]

Bandanas can be worn in various types of colors and ways. This is done by gang members to signify which gang they are affiliated with. The most popular bandana colors are red, blue, black, white, grey, and yellow. It is typically worn on the left or right back pockets of gang members.[3]

Tattoos[edit]

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

Varsity Clothing[edit]

Around the 1970s to 1990s, it was common for some of Chicago's strongest street gangs to create custom varsity sweaters to represent their gang. This trend however eventually died out due to gang members in the Chicago area being beaten, killed, or even robbed by rival gangs due to the varsity jackets.

Business Cards[edit]

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

Vests[edit]

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

Tracksuits[edit]

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

References[edit]

1. ^ Schweizer, Harald Otto. "Gang Signs". Website of Dr. Schweizer, professor of criminology at California State University, Fresno.
2. ^ "How Are Gangs Identified". Los Angeles Police Department.
3. ^ Waldron, Leah. "What Is the Meaning of Colored Bandanas?" EHow. Demand Media, 17 May 2010. Web. 05 Nov. 2012

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