In the late twentieth century United States, however, gangs have taken on a different character and have moved into areas unimagined by Dickens. All of these representations can be visible in the schools. For instance, African American gangs tend to confine their activities to their own communities, although the Bloods and the Crips, two gangs originating in Los Angeles, now have members nationwide. In addition, African American and Hispanic gangs are much more likely to display their colors than are Asian gangs. Anglo gangs are often made up of white supremacists.
Gangs can also vary tremendously in numbers and age ranges of members.
Such low numbers, however, may camouflage the impact that the presence of gangs has on a school. Because gangs are, by definition, organized groups, and are often actively involved in drug and weapons trafficking, their mere presence in school can increase tensions there. Although many gang members acknowledge the importance of the educational objectives of school, school is much more important to them as a place for gathering with fellow gang members for socializing and other more violent activities. Significantly, Boyle also found that even those gang members who had been suspended or had dropped out of school could be found on campus with their associates, effectively using the school as a gang hangout rather than as an educational institution. In addition, gangs may form among groups of recent immigrants as a way of maintaining a strong ethnic identity.