f r e s h s t a r t

Monday, August 08, 2005

Really? In my neighborhood?
Call me sheltered, but I’m not very familiar with gang symbols or signs. When I first saw the graffiti on my building early this morning I didn’t understand what it was supposed to be. I called the management company for the building to let them know about it and took a picture. After looking at the picture a few things struck me. Well, the crown was obvious from the start, but I didn’t see the initials LK. A quick Google search told me that the five pointed crown and initials LK are symbols for the Latin Kings, a Chicago-based gang that was originally a Puerto Rican club but evolved into a gang whose members are mostly Mexican-American. I’m hoping that this isn’t the sign of more things to come. The neighborhood is quiet, mostly families, and I’ve always felt safe there, safe being a relative term. Who knows, it could have just been some kids having fun, imitating what they’ve seen elsewhere.

10:33 3 comments

Comments:

dwight conquergood, one of my favorite nu profs (who sadly died last fall, i recently found out), taught us how to read gang grafitti in our perf studies class senior year. it was the coolest. i wouldn't worry too much about one tag :) -ttc

# posted by

Anonymous : 11:29 AM

oh, and if memory serves me ... the star on the left i think represents another gang, which is probably why they painted it broken. and i think on the right is a knight? isn't there another chicago gang called the knights? yeah, i'm such a dork but it was really fascinating to learn some of the code.

# posted by

Anonymous : 11:33 AM

no, i'm not too worried about one tag, and it's not like anything bad has happened, it was just kind of surprisng. it is interesting though, i agree. it could be fun to learn more about the signs.

# posted by

Eliina : 1:32 PM