Pink was a very popular gang color with younger El Paso males in 2005. https://sites.google.com/site/operationnogangs/gang-articles-and-advice/2005-1104pinkdudsbannedforboysatafewschoolsdanielborundaelpasotimes

"The young gangsters of today actually 'pick and choose' the gang they want to belong to. Nonsense." - Mario, Dad

".. hatred of women in rap exposes the insecurity of powerless .. men. Worship of clothes, ho's, bankrolls." JH-WG

"trouble youth problems go far beyond behavior - parents at home who cannot read." C Franco, NM Coal For Literacy

No longer defined by the work they do, in disadv. areas, they define themselves by what they are ethnically. - AT

Gangster life: "livin on tha edge,'cuz we all got 'dem hard heads. Waitin 4 a drive-by, playin' tag wit satan." IC

"Angry? My Dad starting coming around when I's 14. Where was he when I really needed him? He missed all my life."

"I know I wanna change my gangster ways, but I'm actually scared about it, and don't know where to start." - Trips

Tagger refuses come down freeway billboard. Risk-taking, oppositional defiant disorder common diagnoses taggers.

"With my kind of friends and habits I probably won't complete probation." - Negro. Wrap-around network can aid.

Living past age 21 in doubt 4 many actively involved Hispanic gang youth. Reliable wrap-around assuring, effective

"Unemployable" - many Hispanic gang youth, owing to poor choices as to education, law, drug use, work record, skill

"I've reached the point where I can't wait around 4 someone to save me. I've got to start this 'out'." Smirk, 21

When all the homies have turned their back on you, you end up turning to the loved ones you've ignored all along.

Reforming gangsters often expect community 2 forget mistakes n hurts of past n to readily accept them w/ open arms

"Skills pays the bills." Many Hispanic gang youth drop out early, encounter GED prep difficulty, c/n train beyond.

Hispanic gang youth often enter romantic rel'ships w/ issues of anger, control, STDs, other children, skill deficits

Hispanic taggers typically do not deface walls or property that bear the images of VIrgin Mary, American flag, RIP

Scarface, Tupac, Che Guevara frequently sought out icons by Hispanic gang members. Clothing, posters,paraphernalia

Parental involvement, communication, rule-setting at ALL stages in child's life critical to gang prevention.