Essay on Gangs

đź“ŚCategory: Crime
đź“ŚWords: 393
đź“ŚPages: 2
đź“ŚPublished: 21 June 2021

Nowadays, the word “gangs” comes with a negative connotation when referred to and people often picture groups that cause problems in society; this documentary though, shows that this wasn’t always the case. In the early 1800’s newcomers came to America looking for jobs and a chance to start a new life for themselves and family and with that, came new ways of living and getting along with people. Immigrants actually would end up joining gangs in order to have protection and it was more often than not made up of richer people. The rich and more wealthy needed a type of force and protection from the poor who were known for jumping and robbing them if they were to walk alone down the streets through town. This was also the main reason for their police force; it  was to help protect the rich to the point where they didn’t care what the poor did to one another. 

It was a belief by distrusting Americans and Catholics that the Irish were seen as a whole nother race and treated as such too. They provided labor for even cheaper than what the black labor force was being paid at the time. When they arrived there were no laws and were impoverished, all they had was fertilized ground which allowed them to grow into some of the worst gangs throughout history. There were two gangs, the native-born Americans and the Irish immigrant gangs who would provide favors for politicians and controlled turf to help the poor. One of the worst gangs were known as the Dead Rabbits meaning really tough guys and the worst guys. One of the ways they helped society and moved up in it was by town fires. Gangs would put out fires around town because for one, buildings were so close together that the whole town could burn down very easily, and two, they would be paid a big chunk of money by insurance companies if they made it to the scene and tried to put out the fire first. The documentary gave the impression that gangs back in the 18 and 1900’s helped society such as protecting people from being robbed and helping putting out fires around town. Specifically, gangs helped the Irish survive because the Irish had worse living conditions in Ireland and the gangs and new country provided them with better resources and a better community. The meaning behind “gang” has evolved overtime and today, they are seen more as people involved with police cases, drug deals, and more.

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