Making of the Gangster Disciples

Street gangs have always been a major force in Chicago. In 1969 two street gang families united and formed the Gangster Disciples. They reshaped the life of a gangster. Many gangsters have said that being G.D. was not just a thing to be involved in it was a job, an opportunity. Some have even said, “It was a lifestyle.” The Gangster Disciples turned young men into the people they wanted them to be. They changed the way you lived, acted, walked, talked, and even dressed. This was not just a gang it was any army of young men. An army that was going to get what it wanted at all cost. The Gangster Disciples influenced everything and everyone around them. The Gangster Disciples were born from two organizations. The two gangs in the beginning were Disciple Nation led by David Barksdale and Gangster Nation led by Larry Hoover. Each organization had many branches, such as Royal Disciples, Motown Disciples, and Boss Pimp Disciples of Barksdale side. On Hoover's side there were 18 gangs including; Mafia Gangster, 75th Street Gangsters, and the African Sniper Gangsters. Barksdale was tired of the senseless violence and mayhem between the black communities. (“History of Gangster Disciples”) He really wanted to stop the violence between the Gangster Nation and the Disciple Nation. Barksdale offered Hoover a partnership and equal power of the gang, which Hoover accepted (“History of Gangster Disciples”). The two gangs became one, creating one of the world's most dangerous street gangs ever, The Gangster Disciples. The Gangster Disciples represented with the colors blue and black. They were usually seen with Georgetown Hoyans clothing on (“Its G.D 4 Life”). There was also many ways to identify a Gangster Disciple. For example: They had adopted the right, so anything to the right was normally G.D related. Pant leg up, shoe untied, hat cocked, flag hanging out of pocket and etc. The only time you would see a gangster out of color was during times at war. Now, the Gangster Disciples were on their feet. Every street gang that was once under control of Barksdale or Hoover is now in the Gangster Disciples. Hoover and Barksdale wanted this gang to be different (“History of Gangster Disciples”). Something no gang has ever been before. They wanted the world to know the G.D. meant business. So they had a meeting and made up rules, laws, codes, pledges, and the G.D prayer. These were to be learned and followed by every member of the Gangster Disciples. The first thing that each member had to learn was the “Gangster’s Prayer.” “As I pray to God and all the best, when I am dead and gone tell my Folks to put me to rest. I will leave this earth so let things be well; I am a loyal Folk in heaven or hell. Life on this earth was evil to me; so when I lay down just put me to rest with a Six Point Star and two shotguns laid upon my chest. B.O.S.S (“It’s G.D 4 Life”).” This prayer was meant when a gangster dies the G.D shows no pain. They believed every gangster would go to a better place no matter if it were heaven or hell. They also had a code of conduct, which was recited as; 1. “Folk before family” 2. “I will not let my brother fall to a knee.” 3. “All is all and all is well” 4. “F.O.O.L” (Folks our only love). 5. “74 to the world blow” The Gangster Disciples also had many symbols. These symbols were to represent the gang and the meaning of the gang. The symbols all had a different meaning and purpose. Such as: Six Point Star- They use the star because they fall under the Folk Nation, which reps the six-point star. Also it was the Star of David. Pitchforks- You will mainly see the pitchfork or two facing upward. They used the pitchfork for identification. Sometimes you would see a pitchfork crossing out a 5, which shows disrespect to the People Nation Gangs. Three Dots- Meaning gangs use this, but all have their own meaning. Mainly used in a triangle. Eight Ball- This shows the alliance between the Crips and G.D’s (Hot Tips-“Gangster Disciples”). They also tattooed their bodies with numbers and letters. These numbers and letters had meanings. People thought that they just did it for fun, but these are hardcore criminals they do nothing for fun. To them it’s a reason behind everything. MMM- Money Mac Mountain KWU- Knowledge Wisdom Understanding LLL- Love Life Loyalty 974- This means the number of letters in the alphabet I.G.D (Insane Gangster Disciple) 74- Gangster Disciple 211- These represents that every Gangster Disciple is a Blood killer (Hot Tip-“Gangster Disciples”). Before becoming a true gangster you had to know all the knowledge “spit your lit” was the term they used. Spit your lit meant that you had to recite your knowledge to a King or Leader of the Gangster Disciples (“Gangster Disciples History”). This was supposed to prove that you were serious about being down with the “G.” They believed that anyone who was not serious about it wouldn’t trouble themselves to learn it. Hoover also believed that God would kill anyone who try and play the Folk Nation. The Gangster Disciples also had the G.D alphabet. Each letter of the alphabet was assigned a gang-related meaning. For example: A. Is for the ass kicking a gangster will give to anyone under the five. E. Is for eternal life. K. Is for King Killer. S. Is for the six points (Hot Tips- “Gangster Disciples”). Each member also had to learn the G.D pledge known as, “The Willing.” The pledge is recited as, “We the willing, led by the knowing. To do the impossible for the ungrateful, we have done so much for so long that we are capable of doing anything without anything at all. G.D (F.O.L.K.S(vio)).” The Gangster Disciples had 17 laws called “Almighty 17.” These laws were to be followed no matter what. It was against King Hoover and Barksdale to break any of the laws. If you were to break any of the laws you will not only be punished but also kicked out or maybe even killed if you know too much. Out of the 17, two of them were very serious. The first one was “Do not break the Gangster Code.” This means you are not allowed to tell anyone any of the gangster knowledge only kings and leaders. The second law was “No member is to threaten or force anybody to engage in any kind of sexual activity (F.O.L.K.S(vio)). Any member who broke this law was killed. The laws were never to be broken or else. Hoover and Barksdale did not only want their members to be book smart, brain smart, or even street smart, but Gangster Disciple smart. This was more than a street gang it was a life style, an opportunity to become something and someone. The merger was great; it turned negative energies into positive energies. The Gangster Disciples begin to make a name for themselves. They opened and operated a gas station, two restaurants, community clean-up programs and enforced school truancy policies (History of Gangster Disciples). Many well known organizations worked hand and hand with the gangsters for the betterment of the community. Some local businesses even had giving them protection contracts. Thousands of dollars, to protect the store from any harm that may happen. Different members were chosen to be security guards, sales people, and some worked in the neighborhood banks (History of Gangster Disciples). Hoover and Barksdale made a partnership with the Business Men’s Association. Which they assisted in obtain local centers (“History of Gangster Disciples”). These centers were for the neighborhood children. At the centers kids could learn about life and jobs. They could even get a nice warm meal. It was a place where kids could go and be safe, keeping children off the streets. Later they opened a new center that offered breakfast and lunch. By doing these things it was getting the gang around the city of Chicago and no one was paying attention. Hoover stated, “This is an easy way to take over land without all the gang war, also doing it this way it will save lives many lives (“History of Gangster Disciples”).” Soon the Black Stones (another street gang in Chicago) begin to take notice that the Gangster Disciples are slowly taking land from them. The Stones declared war on Hoover, Barksdale and the Gangster Disciples and started killing G.D members (“History of Gangster Disciples”). The Stones started to kill everyone wearing the color blue. They did not care if you were banging or not you never know who is out to get you. The Gangster Disciples decided they were not going to stop killing and fighting until the stones didn’t live anymore. The war lasted years and years until the Gangster Disciples started to lose. Then Hoover begins to offer Stone members deals with money to kill their own men. Finally Barksdale offered a Stone member $20,000 to set up their leader to be killed (“History of Gangster Disciples”). The Stone member accepted, set the leader up and moved and was never seen again. The now dead leader of the Stones was found dead in a trashcan in Hammond, IN. The Gangster Disciples have now completely taken over the west and Southside Chicago. The gang begins to run into trouble when they tried to enter politics. They tried to enter politics, because they were over-looked by everyone (“History of Gangster Disciples”). The gangsters decided to be involved with Reverend Jesse Jackson and his operation “Breadbasket.” By this they made a pact with the other large street gang in Chicago, The Vice Lords. Both gangs marched together for equal power and rights. Together they even picketed the “Red Rooster Grocery Store.” Stopping them from selling bad meat, because it was a huge food provider to the black communities (“History Of Gangster Disciples”). Later they marched with Dr. King, that black contractors would be hired. They continued to march with Dr. King for the Civil Rights movement as well. They also marched nonviolently with Dr. King in Marquette Park when the movement was at its highest point (“Gangster Disciples”). The Gangster Disciples were quickly becoming well known and potentially a very powerful organization. They let it be known that they will continue the fight against racism. In the beginning they didn’t get much national recognition was only well known in Chicago. Even though they were still the smallest gang in Chicago, Hoover and Barksdale believed that the gang was nothing until they owned Chicago. They decided that they were going to get rid of the Vice Lords, the last gang besides themselves who existed in Chicago (“Gangster Disciples”). First they started to spread southwest to cause confusion with the Lords. Soon they reached the Morgan Park area. Taking over Ashland all the way across Halsted to Cottage Grove on the east. They had put together a system that would battle the Lords for years to come. Soon the Gangster Disciples were taking over all of Chicago. The family was growing very quickly and moving completely over Chicago. Hoover and Barksdale Gangster Disciples were becoming well known. King Killer the leader of Folk Nation was taking notice of the Gangster Disciples. He believed that they were the future and was going to be on top one day. King Killer offered the Gangster Disciples to enter the Folk Nation (“Gangster Disciples”). The Folk Nation was not a gang it was an alliance, a partnership with some of the largest gangs in America. The Gangster Disciples did not accept it right away they wanted to think about it first. Then Hoover realized that with the help of gangs like the Crips on their side they would increase their chances of taking over (“Gangster Disciples”). Barksdale and Hoover disagreed on the out come of this partnership. Barksdale wanted to take over America. Hoover wanted to just control the east coast. Hoover made Barksdale realize that with the help of these gangs they will reach the top. In 1986 the Gangster Disciples joined the Folk Nation (“Gangster Disciples”). They were named the second head gang in Folk Nation with the Crips being first. With the help of the Crips the Gangster Disciples quickly took over Chicago. They were able to get the Vice Lords to quit and move to a new city. Even though the Vice Lords left it was still not enough for the Gangster Disciples. They wanted to be on the east coast and get rid off all the little gangs that no one knew about (“Gangster Disciples”). They knew this was going to be easy and really did not have to worry. Barksdale and Hoover believed that the gang would land on top with ease. They began to become the providers of all the drugs and protection. People began coming to them for everything, husband beating up wives, teens skipping school, problems at home, anything you could think of (“Gangster Disciples”). They were becoming the father of gangs on the east coast, as they wanted. The Gangster Disciples were starting to move to the top of the street gangs. Becoming a force in the gang families (“Gangster Disciples”). Everyone was afraid to attempt anything against the Gangster Disciples. Then David Barksdale, one of the leaders of the G.D, was killed in a drive-by shooting. But that did not keep the Gangster Disciples down. Hoover said, “We took this as a boost, something to get us going. It was more of a reason to bang harder (“Gangster Disciples”).” Now Hoover had complete control over the Gangster Disciples. He promised that the Gangster disciples will be known throughout the lands of the world. King Hoover took the gang to another level, places where Barksdale only dreamed of being. Hoover wanted to make Barksdale and the father of the gangs proud (“History of the Gangster Disciples”). The gang began to “push work” (sale drugs and kill) even harder. They did anything and killed anyone they had to, to get their product out there. Hoover made a new pledge that they will kill anyone representing the wrong colors. Murder anyone who disrespected the 7.4 or any gang in Folk Nation. He even pledge to kill anyone who bought drugs from a none G.D provider (“Gangster Disciples”). He said that they lose money when people do that. The gang was heading in the right direction, when Hoover realized that a member of his gang was giving drugs on “credit” (“F**K Everyone Not G.D”). At first he did not have a problem with it, but then the guy was not getting paid later for the drugs. Hoover felt betrayed and requested that the member was killed. The member was killed and found dead. Then Hoover went after the buyer and before he could get to him Hoover was arrested for murder and attempted murder (“F**K Everyone Not G.D”). They quickly fell of their feet, had no one to run the gang. They had lost first King David and now King Hoover. With no kings no leaders the Gangster Disciples kind of fell of the map. The gang was completely off its feet when an inmate of Hoover, by the name of Tommy McNeal gave him an idea of him staying the king but making people bosses and foot soldiers. Giving different people control of a part of the gang (F**k Everyone Not G.D”). Which they will control, but follow the things Hoover tells them to do. Hoover quickly started to recruit members behind prison walls. He named Tommy McNeal the “Head Boss” position. This position was basically the king under Hoover (“F**k Everyone Not G.D”). Hoover also gave Tommy the name Tom-Tom. It’s was his street name that every “G” had to respect. Tom- Tom was released in 1992 and began to take control of the gang. Hoover’s power was getting very strong even behind prison walls. Hoover once ordered an inmate riot in the Pontiac Prison in Illinois (“Gangster Disciples”). The riot ended in a result of three dead officers and many injured inmates. Nothing happened to Hoover, because all of his gangsters refused to testify against him. Hoover had more power than any gang leader in the United States. Hoover’s power soon gave him control of the Folk Nation when Jackson died. Hoover was once only a member of Folk Nation, but now he ran Folk Nation (“Gangster Disciples”). Hoover gang was now at the top of the gang chain. Many people didn’t think that two small gangs could influence a city. The Gangster Disciples had did exactly that, took a city by storm. They lived their Folk lives and did not care who cared. G.D was a lifestyle and still will be until the “World Blow.”