Companionship, training, excitement, and activities. A sense of self worth and status. A place of acceptance. The need for physical safety and protection. A family tradition.
Violence is part of life out here.
In our 'hood you see violence all the time, and that's what time it is. Either you stay ready or it's gonna get you . . . To me, selling dope is the best thing a young girl can do in trying to make it in the streets. Call us a gang or whatever you want. When groups of people are denied access to power, privileges, and resources, they will often form their own anti-establishment group.