Page 83 - Social Norms Survey

several did express the view that if the individual who killed their loved one were, in turn,

to be killed by the police then that would settle the matter. Sadly, that is the minority view.
Interestingly enough, the facilitators floated the idea similar to the conceptual framework

of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and though hesitant at first, most
were open to such an alternative”.

• Gangs offer young persons who may feel that they do not “fit” into society a space in

which they feel comfortable and accepted because they are with people who think like
them. They feel respected:

 “When you are in a gang they are your family and you will feel better. Mi a tell you, you
will feel better.” (Young female gang member from Whitehall, Westmoreland)

 “Yuh aroun’ ee gang an dem respec yuh, so yuh say ‘Aright mek me join da gang

deh.’” (Young woman, Mt. Salem)

 “[Y]ou join the gang becaas yu feel lonely an yu feel like yu no fit ina society certain
way…You can juss deh ina ee an yuh juss tek up peace. Yu naafi join the gang becaas

yu wah rob people or yu wah kill people…yuh juss like the way it feel fi be aroun’ some
people (weh) share the same views as you.” (Young man, Russia, Westmoreland)

The young female gang member from Whitehall also gave the downside to membership

of a hardcore gang: “When you come out you will have problems, be ka dem just a go
pree you now and you a go snitch and dem just a go kill you. You are in it for life.”

• Poverty - Some Mt. Salem males gave this as a reason. Greed and jealousy were

suggested by some young women in St. Mary: “Sometimes all pastor pickney dem join
gangs.” “A true! Dem too red eye.”

• Hype was also mentioned by men from Russia and Mt. Salem: “Well, some join caa dem

wah show respec’ an fearlessness...” “[S]ome a dem dweet becaa dem wah protection,
some a dem dweet becaas dem wah power.” “Hype.” The Whitehall women also added:

“Sometimes they do it for the girls because they think we want a tough guy.”

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