Crippin in Los Angeles

African American gangs in Los Angeles originated mostly from the migration of African Americans from the South after World War II. In the 1920’s most of the gangs in Los Angeles were family oriented and it was not until the late 1940’s that the first gangs began. The gangs surfaced out the area known as the East Side, which is the area east of Main Street to Alameda. A lot of the gangs surfaced because of the racism perpetrated by the whites. There was clear segregation and racism against blacks, they were not allowed in certain areas of Los Angeles and could not buy property there. White gangs got together to stop African Americans from trying to integrate themselves into the Los Angeles society. In turn, African Americans formed their own gangs to retaliate against the white violence against blacks. Eventually, the white gangs’ attempt to segregate blacks began to fail, and they began to move out of the inner city into the fast growing suburbs. African Americans moved into the city and accounted for 71% of the population. What began as a conflict between whites and blacks now became an intraracial problem between African Americans themselves. Fights between the West Side of Los Angeles and the East Side were mostly socioeconomic based. The gangs from the Westside fought to prove their toughness and credibility, while Eastside gangs fought because they were viewed as economically inferior to the Westside. Black community leaders began to see a problem with the African American youth and began to educate and promote social welfare amongst the community. Alprentice “Bunchy” Carter, a member of the Slausons, recruited youth to fight against police brutality instead of each other. The conflicts between African American inner city gangs began to eradicate and they were evolving into a socially aware groups working together against racism and police brutality.
Between 1965 and 1970 African American gangs united and became a political force against racism. Several major organizations were created to promote unity amongst the black community and keep track of social injustice against them, primarily police brutality. The Black Panther Party (BPP) opened a chapter in Los Angeles, just after they began in Oakland in 1966. A former member of the Slausons, Ron Wilkins, created the Community Action Patrol (CA...

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...Westside, eight gangs in total. Gang violence exploded and a real problem was emerging in the streets of Los Angeles.
The Crip gangs were taking over Los Angeles and other non-crip gangs decided to form a coalition. The Crips were able to dominate and intimidate other gangs in the Los Angeles area because of their massive numbers through heavy recruitment. In a confrontation between a Crip and a member of the LA Brims, an LA Brims member was shot and killed. After another Crip member had a similar confrontation with one of the Piru Street Boys, an alliance was formed between several non-Crip gangs. The Crip – Blood rivalry grew in the mid 1970’s and it was and is one of the main catalysts in the increase of gangs, crime, and violence in Los Angeles.
The Crips not only grew in numbers but also expanded to different parts of Los Angeles and even the country. Crips now have other affiliated groups in west coast states such as New York, Florida, and Georgia. The Crips also expanded their criminal activity with drugs, especially with “Crack” cocaine. Currently there are 88 incorporated cities that are controlled by the Crips.