gangbangers
Armed crew members
Gangbangers are members of street gangs, especially those involved in violent criminal activity.
The term carries strong associations with urban crime, drugs, and turf warfare: Police arrested three suspected gangbangers after the shooting.
Used primarily in American English, often by law enforcement and media.
The word can function as a slur when applied broadly to young men of color regardless of actual gang affiliation.
Serious crime offenders
- convictsImprisoned felons
- racketeeringConducting illegal business schemes
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
- drug dealingSelling illegal substances
trafficking · robbery · extortion · weapons · illegal · arrest · incarceration · parole
Formal admission ceremony
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- respectRegard with honor
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- codeSymbolic communication system
brotherhood · membership · tattoos · hand signs · bandanas · colors · OG · shot-caller
felons
Serious crime offenders
- convictsImprisoned felons
- racketeeringConducting illegal business schemes
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
drug dealing · trafficking · robbery · extortion · weapons · illegal · arrest · incarceration · parole · probation
initiation
Formal admission ceremony
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- respectRegard with honor
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
code · brotherhood · membership · tattoos · hand signs · bandanas · colors · OG · shot-caller · recruit
turf
Grass-covered earth surface
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- hoodAttached head covering
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
corner · set · clique · crew · rivals · beef · colors · tags · graffiti · claiming
shootout
Armed confrontation or tiebreaker
- drive-byAttack from passing vehicle
- turf warStruggle over claimed ground
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
bloodshed · assault · homicide · brutality · brawl · mayhem · rampage · gunfire · stabbing · beatdown
gangbangerspolice officers
Sworn law enforcers
cops · law enforcement · straight arrows · do-gooders · squares
gangbangerscommunity organizers
Those mobilizing local collective action
peacekeepers · civic leaders · role models · activists · social workers