Getting sucked in

Money. Fast cash. They bought me s*** when I was little. (Joining a gang) was the only way for me to keep it coming in. But it ain’t worth your freedom and your life.

You start by being beat-in. A bunch of them just beating the s*** out of you. They want to make sure you’re tough enough and that you won’t squeal.

Gang life

I hate being in jail and I hate being on the street.

They tell you gang life is good. But it’s only good until it all falls down. And it all falls down pretty quick.
They go for your family. They could get beat up or tortured. My brother was stabbed four times.

Once you’re in, you’re in.

The price you pay

If some kid’s thinking about it, ask them if their freedom is worth it. It’s not much of a life.
If it’s someone you love, tell them no. All gangs do is get you in a lot of trouble. You’ll always be in danger and likely end up in jail or messed up on drugs.

It’s a waste of your life.
It’s non-stop 24/7.

You’re just wasting your time because your life will just revolve around drugs and violence.
It makes your life s***

I don’t want a shorter life, to die faster.

Show these kids the ugly parts of the gangs – dead gang members, funerals, people crying. This is what happens to people who think that killing someone is okay. I think about what I did every day. You think about your family – his family every day, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

Getting out

Getting in is easy. Getting out is hard because you know too much.

They beat you – or worse – if you try to get out.
My brother died of it – he killed himself because he couldn’t get out.