Bloods and Crips are Talking because of Occupy Atlanta

Sherrod Britton and Shabaka Addae Guillory

Copyright:
AFSC

This morning I heard on a talk show that the Bloods and Crips had come together because of Occupy Atlanta. The leaders of both groups came together after realizing they had a common cause with the movement. The Bloods and Crips togegher? This is an incredible moment. Where is the coverage?

Sherrod Britton, 29, was initiated into the Bloods when he was 18 years old. He joined because he felt lost and wanted to be a part of something.
Sherrod was walking down Peachtree Street past Troy Davis three weeks ago and saw all the tents. “I wanted to know what was going on, so I stopped by, I haven’t left since”, said Sherrod.
Sherrod expressed feeling a deep connection to the message and process of Occupy Atlanta.” I stayed for the common cause, speaking for the people. I feel strongly that we have the right to jobs, health care, and affordable higher education.”
Around the same day Sherrod showed up Shabaka Addae Guillory, 20, saw a story on the news about Occupy Atlanta and had to see it for himself. Shabaka stated, “I knew this kind of movement was coming I just didn’t know it would come so soon.”
Shabaka and Sherrod both found a common cause in Occupy Atlanta, but they also share another commonality in their narrative.
Shabaka was recruited into the Crips when he was 14 years old. “My parents were divorced, grandfather passed away, a lot of problems at school, and there was a lot of confusion at the time…”
This story is absolutely amazing and positive. I only wish it would be covered by the MSM to show progress is indeed being made on many levels by having the protests all across this country...

Crossposted: JackandJillPolitics

Those who know about the history of these gangs (see below) know that this is not an easy thing. If the leaders of these infamous groups can find common cause why can't the members in Congress find it in their hearts to work out their differences? They are even sleeping together and sharing a tent for crying out loud!!! This is quite amazing and can be inspiring for many young people out there who are disenfranchised if only the national media would give the story the time it deserves.

Who are the Bloods and Crips?

In Los Angeles and other urban areas in the United States, the formation of street gangs increased at an alarming pace throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The Bloods and the Crips, the most well-known gangs of Los Angeles, are predominately African American[1] and they have steadily increased in number since their beginnings in 1969. In addition, there are approximately 600 Hispanic gangs in Los Angeles County with a growing Asian gang population numbering approximately 20,000 members.

Surprisingly, little has been written about the historical background of black gangs in Los Angeles (LA). Literature and firsthand interviews with Los Angeles residents seem to point to three significant periods relevant to the development of the contemporary black gangs. The first period, which followed WWII and significant black migrations from the South, is when the first major black clubs formed. After the Watts rebellion of 1965, the second period gave way to the civil rights period of Los Angeles where blacks, including those who where former club members who became politically active for the remainder of the 1960s. By the early 1970s black street gangs began to reemerge. By 1972, the Crips were firmly established and the Bloods were beginning to organize. This period saw the rise of LA’s newest gangs, which continued to grow during the 1970s, and later formed in several other cities throughout the United States by the 1990s. While black gangs do not make up the largest or most active gang population in Los Angeles today, their influence on street gang culture nationally has been profound.

Look at their history they have been locked in battle for a very long time. Yet, they see the importance of putting their issues aside for the greater good.

Who knew?!!