Nicole Hogue Worlds Most Dangerous Gang Essay - 1924 Words

Six interesting new facts/ issues: 1. Counterculture (Pg. 48)- a group whose values, beliefs, norms, and related behaviors place its members in opposition to the broader culture The MS13 is a perfect example of a counterculture. They are a world within themselves. The gang is very organized and structured; there is hierarchy with the gang. There is a significant amount of money flow within the gang. A few ways the gang obtains money is by drug dealing, illegal weapons, vendors pay the gang to work in their territories and for their protection, and drug dealers also pay the gang to earn the right to sell drugs in their territories. There are laws and rules that a gang member must abide by. One very strict rule for a gang member is†¦show more content†¦There are many stigmas associated with being a member of MS13. Cooperating with a member of the gang even in the smallest of ways is punishable by law to the extent of losing your home. This punishment is set because they are viewed as a serious threat because they are such a violent and dangerous group and law enforcement is really trying to crack down on their activities. By becoming a member of th e Mara Salvatrucha you are stigmatized for life. The MS13 gang association will follow you until the day you day. Even if a member tries to leave the gang they have the weight of worrying if a current member has been ordered to kill them. Gang members sometimes purposely bring about a stigma towards themselves by covering their bodies in tattoos. These tattoos are not tattoos that most would consider to be beautiful by any means. The tattoos tell the story of their life within the gang. Another body marking that regularly comes about because of being a gang member is scars. Many members are involved in brutal fights, stabbings, and shootings. They wear these scars with pride whereas others see them as ugly reminders of how brutal the life of a gang member is. The association with a gang, especially one such as the MS13 who is known for their power and willingness to be violent is a stigma that one can never ignore. Some stigmas that come along with being a