The Theory of Gangdom: Introduction to the Mara Salvatrucha “America's Most Violent Gang”

Gangdom is defined as “underworld organizations”, a synonym with organized crime. Gangs are heterogeneous, with distinctions such as: street gangs, biker gangs, prison gangs, drug cartels, including crime syndicates, such as Cosa Nostra (Italian Mafia), Yakuza, and Traids. Four decades ago, the International Criminal Police Organisation and the United Nations General Assembly expressed concern over the worldwide prevalence of juvenile delinquency and gang behavior. Some argue that street gangs are an American phenomena produced by the varying standpoints of classes. In the case of the Mara Salvatrucha, the clashing of classes is true. These emigrants fled to the United States, over 65,500 between 1981 and 1987. Many clustered in Los Angeles, California, where they were marginalized and became the targets of local African American gangs like the Bloods and Crips. This text explores the norms of gang culture, such as marginalized status, specific dress, codes, and signs with a specific focus on the MS-13.