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Rethinking Gangs
Rethinking Gangs
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The Importance of Rethinking Gang Research
The Importance of Rethinking Gang Research
For decades, gang discourse has been dominated by narratives that frame gangs as inherently violent and criminal. This view, largely shaped by media portrayals, law enforcement, and most academic perspectives, overlooks the socio-economic factors that actually drive criminal activity. More importantly, contemporary gang discourse ignores the potential for gangs to serve as organized, community-based entities capable of addressing systemic inequalities because it mostly essentializes criminality as a defining criteria of a gang.
For decades, gang discourse has been dominated by narratives that frame gangs as inherently violent and criminal. This view, largely shaped by media portrayals, law enforcement, and most academic perspectives, overlooks the socio-economic factors that actually drive criminal activity. More importantly, contemporary gang discourse ignores the potential for gangs to serve as organized, community-based entities capable of addressing systemic inequalities because it mostly essentializes criminality as a defining criteria of a gang.
My research critically examines these entrenched narratives. By reframing gangs as potential agents of positive change, I aim to shift public and academic discourse away from criminalization and toward empowerment of gangs. As I've studied gang dynamics across the U.S. while still grounding my work in Portland, Oregon, a city grappling with its own unique challenges, I'm convinced a gang empowerment approach has both local and national implications.
My research critically examines these entrenched narratives. By reframing gangs as potential agents of positive change, I aim to shift public and academic discourse away from criminalization and toward empowerment of gangs. As I've studied gang dynamics across the U.S. while still grounding my work in Portland, Oregon, a city grappling with its own unique challenges, I'm convinced a gang empowerment approach has both local and national implications.
My research prioritizes an emic approach to ensure that the voices of gang members themselves shape the narrative, fostering solutions grounded in their lived experiences, since solutions to the gang's problems are the only way we can solve the problem of gangs being considered problems.
My research prioritizes an emic approach to ensure that the voices of gang members themselves shape the narrative, fostering solutions grounded in their lived experiences, since solutions to the gang's problems are the only way we can solve the problem of gangs being considered problems.
The interplay between emic and etic paradigms provide a fuller understanding of any social phenomenon. Historically, gang studies have leaned heavily on etic perspectives, often criminalizing these communities rather than exploring their socio-political roles. By integrating emic insights, my research challenges these limited frameworks, offering a nuanced understanding that bridges insider perspectives with critical sociological analysis.
The interplay between emic and etic paradigms provide a fuller understanding of any social phenomenon. Historically, gang studies have leaned heavily on etic perspectives, often criminalizing these communities rather than exploring their socio-political roles. By integrating emic insights, my research challenges these limited frameworks, offering a nuanced understanding that bridges insider perspectives with critical sociological analysis.
A Call to Action
A Call to Action
In his Prison Notebooks, Antonio Gramsci’s (1929) distinction between the “traditional scholar” and the “organic scholar” frames my role as a researcher. While the academic work of traditional scholars typically reinforce existing power structures, organic scholars align their work with the marginalized communities from which they typically rise from, seeking to challenge and transform those structures.
In his Prison Notebooks, Antonio Gramsci’s (1929) distinction between the “traditional scholar” and the “organic scholar” frames my role as a researcher. While the academic work of traditional scholars typically reinforce existing power structures, organic scholars align their work with the marginalized communities from which they typically rise from, seeking to challenge and transform those structures.
As an organic scholar, I'm committed to dismantling the hegemony that perpetuates cycles of poverty, violence, and exclusion; but a hegemony that also shifts the blame for these structural shortfalls on gangs while at the same time criminalizing gangs and thereby targeting them for suppression. This is not just an academic pursuit—it is a moral imperative to advocate for justice and equity, and it is a personal fight in defense of my own culture and dignity as a gang member.
As an organic scholar, I'm committed to dismantling the hegemony that perpetuates cycles of poverty, violence, and exclusion; but a hegemony that also shifts the blame for these structural shortfalls on gangs while at the same time criminalizing gangs and thereby targeting them for suppression. This is not just an academic pursuit—it is a moral imperative to advocate for justice and equity, and it is a personal fight in defense of my own culture and dignity as a gang member.
Why Your Support Matters
Why Your Support Matters
Transformative research requires resources. Your support will help fund my tuition, fieldwork, and the dissemination of this critical scholarship. Together, we can reimagine what gangs can be—not as threats to society, but as empowered community members with the capacity to drive meaningful change.
Transformative research requires resources. Your support will help fund my tuition, fieldwork, and the dissemination of this critical scholarship. Together, we can reimagine what gangs can be—not as threats to society, but as empowered community members with the capacity to drive meaningful change.
How You Can Help
How You Can Help
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Collaborate: If you are an individual or part of an organization that is interested in this research, let’s connect!
Make a Donation: Every contribution supports tuition, fieldwork, and community engagement.
Make a Donation: Every contribution supports tuition, fieldwork, and community engagement.
In Loving
In Loving
Memory
Memory
Aaron Ray Munoz
Aaron Ray Munoz
1983-2005
Rest In Peace
Rest In Peace
You're Never Forgotten
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