West Side Tongan Posse

Vinc · February 20, 2021

Shvag · February 20, 2021

James, known to his friends as Puppet, was initiated into the Tongan Crip gang when he was 13 years old.

For initiation, James was beaten up by his fellow gang members but, he said, afterward, "everybody gives you a hug and welcomes you to the family."

"You got to take a beat down by your homies just to show them you're tough," he said. "And either you're in or you're not. That's it."

James grew up with his older brother and sister and his mother. He said he "didn't have a father really," and his mother was always working. He chose to join the gang because all of his friends who he went to school with and played sports with in the neighborhood were getting involved. James's mother tried to get him involved with camps instead but, he said, he would always make his way back to his gang.

Sometimes, when he was afraid to walk home from a friend's house, his mother would pick him up and bring him home.

James's role model is his 31-year-old brother, Liam, who he has looked up to his whole life. After the first time James was shot, he said Liam stopped talking to him because he disapproved of his gang lifestyle.

"I was sad because I figured that you should love me no matter what," he said.

A few years ago, James called Liam and told him how hurt he was. They have since rekindled their relationship. Today, James lives with his mother and sister but, he said, the gang is as much a part of his family as they are.

"I thought about leaving the gang before but I really can't because this is a part of my family, too," he said. "Even though I have a good, loving family at home, this is one of my families that I'm with all the time, too. I spent Christmas with them, Thanksgivings with them. This is my family, too. I'm not going to leave on my family."

James will soon have a son of his own. His ex-girlfriend, who now lives away, is pregnant and due on Valentine's Day, so he is saving money so he can be a part of his child's life. If James gets custody, he said it will change his life. If his son chooses to join a gang one day, he said, he will be mad but will love his son no matter what.

James aspires to be a paramedic because he enjoys helping people. He also has a love of cooking, especially steak and chicken.

One thing that James likes about being in a gang is that it has introduced him to other people in his neighborhood. He also likes the fighting, seeing his friends every day and the rush it brings, which he plans to have for years to come.

"I enjoy the risk of being out here. I enjoy seeing all my friends every day. I enjoy drinking with them. I enjoy seeing different girls all the time," he said. "I enjoy making bonds with my friends. The longer you chill, the more stuff you do, the closer you get together. That's something I look forward to. I look forward to it for many more years."

Full article.

Edited February 20, 2021 by Shvag