Annotated Bibliography #1

Binyam sirmollo
4/2/08

Lloyd, J.D. “African American Street Gangs in California.” Contemporary Issues Companion: Gangs: 1-6. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Boston Public Library, Boston, MA. March 27th, 2008. <http://www.bpl.org/electronic/index.htm. >

The African American gangs began during the 1920s. The gangs in the 1920s were no as violent as present gangs in America. But from 1955 to 1965, membership in African American gangs had increased. The Crips and Bloods came in the late 1960s in Los Angels, California. In 1980s, both gangs spread throughout America influencing young teens to join. Youth ages 14 to 24 joined the Crips and Bloods by 1980. By 1990, the gang members now range in from 12 to 35 and sometimes even 40 years old. By 1990, the Crips and bloods had spread to 33 states and 123 cities with 135 homicides, 1416 assaults and 775 robberies. Both gangs have been in robberies and the estimated combined loss from those robberies is $4.7 million. The author is stating that there is an argument against the crimes the gangs have done in this article; it is telling how gangs have increased in certain years. As the years go by, African American gang has increased and new gangs are being formed. Also more crimes and gang violence have increased as years go by. J.D. Lloyd’s, perspective is to tell readers how gang violence has changed completely from the past.


Although it is terrifying, this article is definitely useful because it gives information about the gang violence that started out in one state and then spread through America. “Federal and state law enforcement authorities report Crips and Bloods gang members in 33 states and 123 cities.” It is important to the project because the community is surrounded by the gangs that Lloyd has written about. The author has statistics, years, and details from the past. The author does not like the gangs in America because they have caused more crimes over the years. Yes, the author is worried because over the years, the violence from gangs has increased and it is a bad sign for American society.