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Chicago History: Black Gangster Disciples>Criminals or Visionairies?

Black Gangster Disciples

Growing up in the city of Chicago, everyone knew who the Black Gangster Disciples were. Their history is well known nationally and internationally, but who are they really?

Some of the Disciple Nation under David Barksdale’s leadership were: Devit’s Disciples, Falcon Disciples, Royal Disciples, Renegade Disciples, Executioner Disciples, Boss Pimp disciples, East Side Disciples, Sircon Disciples, Motown Disciples, Dutchtown Disciples, Gonzato Disciples, Six-Tray Disciples, Maniac Disciples and four-Tray Disciples. Also during this period of time, David Barksdale controlled the Del Vikings, the Black Souls, and the West Side Cobras.

Some of the branches of the Gangster Nation under Larry Hoover’s leadership were: The Supreme Gangsters (the first branch was considered to be the father of the gangster nation), Imperial Gangsters, African Sniper Gangsters, Raven Gangsters, High Supreme Gangsters, Russian Gangsters, Maniac Gangsters, Mafia Gangsters , 75th Street Syndicate Gangsters, Outlaw Gangsters, 95th Street Supreme Gangsters, the Dells Gangsters, West Side Suprem Gangsters, Racketeer Gangsters, East side Syndicate Gangsters, Gent town Gangsters, and the Black Pimp Gangsters of the West Side.

David Barksdale

Everybody in the City of Chicago who as a Disciple or a Gangster was under the leadership of David Barksdale or Larry Hoover, respectively. Up until that point in our history, no one in an organization had ever been referred to as a “King.”

At the time, the Vice Lords, the Blackstone Rangers (Stones) and the Disciples were the three major gangs (street organizations) in the City of Chicago. In terms of membership numbers and organizational structure, the Vice Lords were the first major gang in the Lawndale area. Some of the businesses that they opened were a Restaurant, clothing boutiques, Tastee Freeze, pool room, Teen Town Dance Studio and an art studio. In addition they offered many programs for the benefit of the community.The Vice Lords reached their peak between the years 1957 and 1967. They were the father of the “Super Gangs: and had their origin on the west side of Chicago. They were the forerunners of the concept of changing street gangs into organizations.

In the years 1963 and 1964, two southside street gangs started to take a form that would eventually evolve into two of the most powerful street organizations in Chicago. They were the Blackstone Rangers and the Black Disciples. During the reign of these two organizations, the Blackstone Rangers were believed to be the most organized because they held national recognition, support from prominent business men, entertainers, and politicians. They entered into business ventures with the late Sammy Davis Jr. and had the support of W. Clement Stone, a self-made millionaire and business entrepreneur. However, one of the most impressive displays of political power and community importance of a street organization came when Jeff Fort, leader of the Blackstone Rangers, was invited to the late Richard Nixon’s inauguration.
The Blackstone Rangers were originally founded by Eugene Hairston and Jeff Fort. Under Jeff Fort’s leadership they prospered and changed their organization’s name to “the Black P. Stone Nation” and eventually they became known as “the El Rukns.”

David Barksdale, the leader of the Black Disciple Nation, had an organization that was comparable to the Blackstone Rangers. Although he did not receive the same amount of national recognition, he was well known through the City of Chicago and was respected by his friends and feared by his foes. At the time, David Barksdale was the most revered street gang organizer in Chicago.

On the other hand, amongst these two major street organizations on the southside of Chicago were the Gangster: A young street organization striving for a place of high recognition and respect in the City of Chicago. The Blackstone Rangers and the Black Disciple Nation were vying to bring the Gangsters in as part of their respective organizations. Jeff Fort, as leader of the Black P. Stone nation, brought Larry Hoover an offer to incorporate the Gangsters as part of the Black P. Stone Nation’s structure as Gangster Stones and offered Hoover the less favorable position as an ambassador within the Black P. Stone Nation. In Hoover’s mind, such a merger would swallow up the Gangster identity. Therefore Hoover declined.
When Jeff Fort offered Hoover the opportunity to incorporate, he was unaware of just how strong the Gangsters were rapidly becoming. With branches of Gangsters throughout Chicago, Hoover’s empire had reached the Morgan Park area on the southwest side, across 95th Street and well into the far-south edges of the City. The Gangsters swelled from Ashland and Halsted on the west to Cottage Grove on the east. Pockets of Gangsters were scattered throughout every district on the southside of Chicago and membership was rapidly growing on the West side. Larry Hoover had put together the Black Gangster Disciple Nation, which would vie for power and battle the Stones and Disciples for years to come.

In January 1969, David Barksdale, leader of the Disciple Nation, developed a broader vision about the mission and purpose of street organizations (commonly referred to as “street gangs”). In essence, David was tired of the senseless violence and mayhem that was destroying the black community because of street gangs’ warfare. He struggled with the idea of how to bring an end to the constant gang warfare that existed between the Disciples and the Gangsters. He realized that such a state of existence would only bring about self-destruction in the lives of ghetto youth. Therefore, he made an offer that Hoover could not refuse. David proposed merging the two organizations with Hoover sharing equal power. From that merger, THE BLACK GANGSTER DISCIPLE NATION was born. This began the era of “Kings.”

Larry Hoover is nationally and internationally known as perhaps one of the greatest street gang leaders in U.S. history. In the 1980s, Hoover proclaimed a "new concept" of organizing the BGDN on corporate lines and became the "Chairman of the Board." He stressed education, economic development and political involvement, and eventually renamed the Black Gangsters "Growth and Development." It was his manifesto, but highly clever. Larry Hoover is an undisputed mastermind.  Link: http://www.biography.com/people/larry-hoover-536246



Not since the days of Al Capone had Chicago seen such a man with as much power and influence as Hoover. A natural leader; his true power was that he could convince a man to either do right...or do wrong. He is currently serving a life sentence in Colorado Supermax prison.

The Black Gangsta Disciple's infamy is legendary. The first rule of the Disciples is Secrecy and Silence. However, given the strength of their past leadership, their membership boasts in the city of Chicago around 50-75,000 members. Nationally, about 250,000 and internationally, it's estimated that their are over 600,000 members.

Gangster Disciples are in the U.S. military and there have been reports of actual gang graffiti seen on bases as far as Iraq.

Ask anyone from Chicago, the GD's are no joke. The FBI takes them very seriously, and I have to ask this question: if such intelligent young men can form organizations as organized as this; why can't anyone motivate them to take this natural talent and use it for something positive.
Are they criminals or unconventional visionaries?

Someone once said that the richest place on earth is not a gold or diamond mine--it is a cemetery. Why? Because cemeteries are filled with people who never lived up to their potential.

People keep talking about the violence in Chicago, but hell, Chicago has always had a violent past--pick a decade.
Many lives have been lost to gang violence. Where was the media concern over 40 years ago?
Why can't gangs be eliminated?
_________________

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Here is the book cover preview--includes back page:  Will be out in the spring of 2013!


Ladies and gentleman, I'm already at work on my second novel. It's entitled, Broken Mirrors and is based on the 7 deadly sins. What's it about? 

Working on my characters as we speak. The main protagonist is China Peebles. She's a diva, narcissist, adventurous voyeur, yet intellectually gifted. Her life is a rollercoaster and anyone and everyone she meets becomes a character in her psychodrama, whether they like it or not.



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The Journey of My Book!



In 2003, after being laid off by a major insurance company, in addition to circulating my resume to find more work; I made a decision that would change my life: I began writing a book.  That book was published in December of 2011. 

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Gay Marriage: Really?



When Obama came out publicly supporting gay marriage.  It literally split the country in half--particularly in the African American community.  The African American community is a conservative community and this does not gel with its values.

Right now...the homosexual/lesbian community is enjoying a level of tolerance that it has never had in American history, but for how long?

As a woman who is weighing out the public debate as well as personal convictions, I will state that I believe that gay/lesbian people should have equal rights as couples; however, the definition of marriage largely is defined as the union of a man and woman for conception as well as companionship.  Basically, gay/lesbian unions can't produce life. It is outside the laws of nature, thus, it is not...and should not be validated by policies that could be misconstrued as normalizing perversion.

My reaction was blunt:  I'm not going to any gay wedding.  And I don't care how anyone takes that.

Frankly, I'm really tired of this issue and all issues pertaining to the gay/lesbian community.  It's a lifestyle choice in my honest opinion--unnatural sex and affection for someone of the same sex.  Whatever people say, it's just uncomfortable for some and they shouldn't have to apologize for how they feel.  I don't even like to see heterosexual couples getting too affectionate in public; so why should I make any exceptions for those who are non-heterosexual?  It's not my values.  Period.

This is a personal decision of gay/lesbians.  My validation of such couplings should not even be an issue.

Do what you do.

But know this: Everyone is not gay and it should be expected, and tolerated, that they too also have a right to object.

The last time I checked, this still was America.

Having A Moment...

Ahh...A Soothing Moment For A Fabulous Woman...



Don't mess with me today. And if you're a man...don't force me to use my big brown eyes on ya. I'mruthless and I'll have you eating out of my hands in a New York minute.

We had a Super moon this weekend. Missed it. Maybe it's a good thing because this audacity of narcissism that I'm feeling at the moment would have been tripled if I witnessed something greater than myself.

Oh, don't hate...Haters. Dysfunction is the name of your favorite candy bar and you drink Haterade--straight, with no chaser.

You can't stand the thought that there are actually people who wake up in the morning and just feel fabulous. So fabulous that every time the sun shines on them; it's like a competition to see who can shine the brightest.

Light gives us energy. I'm a human equivalent of an energy drink.

It's true...people look at me and just feel better. I'm good for the environment.

This is revolutionary affirmation. It's out-of-sight in its vision.

I have no shame in broadcasting my inner most thoughts: thoughts so bodacious in their candor; one is forced to expose themselves by default.

Release the fear. Tell the world how fabulous you are...don't be bashful.

I am you. Just feel my greatness...and transfer it around you.

Today--my movement begins: OccupyYourCoolness.

No shame.

You Better Be On Time!



One of the greatest pet peeves that I have are people who are never on time.

This morning, I pushed back an appointment just so the maintenance crew could come and check my air conditioning unit and also a leaky faucet in the bathroom.  The initial call went through on April 22, 2012.  They were supposed to be at my apartment by 8:00 am.   Earlier attempts were made during the times I was at work; after still not having this matter resolved by April 27, 2012, I was told that management didn't have a copy of my apartment key so they couldn't get in to complete the work order.  OK...I volunteered to wait for them on my day off--agreeing to the time mentioned.  They didn't show.  I called the office and spoke with a gentleman who told me that they were doing their paperwork--I immediately told them someone was supposed to be at my apartment by 8:00 a.m.  "We're still doing our paperwork, ma'am."  I was told.  It's after 8:00 a.m. I exclaimed and I have to leave for an appointment by 9:30 a.m.  "Someone should be there before 8:30 a.m. ma'am."  I became irritated and told the gentleman that I expect people to be on time and I don't want anyone holding me up.  I then hung up.  No one showed--again.  I feel that it was a deliberate, and might I add: a childish response to my scolding of the impropriety of lateness that provoked this response.  Well, every choice has consequences; and I most definitely was not going to allow this matter to go uncountered.

At this point, I was fuming and I decided to call the Realty company which is the owner of my complex and make a complaint.  I was left with no choice.  I also left a message for the complex property manager reporting the incident.

What this boils down to is the attitude that you see in society in general today.  People do not feel accountable for their actions.

It is absolutely disrespectful to keep anyone waiting, especially when an appointment time was given.  When someone tells me they will be at my apartment at 8:00--I expect them to be there at 8:00!  Anyone that does not value other people's time--DO NOT RESPECT YOU.  And I will not tolerate that.

The issues that I needed resolved in my apartment are a simple fix.  Very simple and should have been taken care of by now, but apparently; someone in the maintenance department of my apartment complex must feel that tenant concerns are not their personal nor professional priority, and are treated as such.

I'm no one to mess with.  And as we have seen in the news lately; sooner or later, you're going to mess with the wrong person and have a simple situation turn into a matter of deeper scrutiny.

This is going to get resolved and I'm not going to settle for nothing less than complete satisfaction.

As for the maintenance guy who didn't show up at my apartment; he better hope he still has a job--especially in this economy.  His lack of judgment is going to cost him more than he could have anticipated.  All he had to do was show up. 

Choices...

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I Will Not Make Whites Feel Good About Themselves...



Somewhere between the lines of political correctness and reality; there appears to be somewhat and arrogant attitude and presumption that prevails amongst some whites, that Black people have to be nice to them because the Civil Rights Act, after all, couldn't have passed if many whites in this country hadn't supported the cause.  This alone should somehow give them a pass when racial issues come up.

Really?

How many of them died for the cause?  Yes, some got hurt, but the it was Blacks who had to dodge bullets, dogs and water hoses.   Many went to jail.  Some had their homes set on fire or bombed.

What I'm getting at is that White people are not owed any type of gratitude because of their involvement in the movement.  Quite the contrary. 

Black people have been conditioned to be passive and obsequious whenever whites show any interest in our causes.  We are not to make any statements that remind whites of the 450 years of terror our ancestors endured nor are we to become belligerent, hostile or caustic in our speech or manner.  Hmmm...that sounds like; even to liberal whites; Black folks are still to act docile, respectful and humble in the presence of whites, albeit that deep down; most Black folks would love to beat the sh*t out of most whites on any given day.  They are not accustomed to hearing the truth spoken about them unapologetically.  White liberals are the worst.

I've been doing a lot of thinking since the Trayvon Martin murder case and protests that are going on.

The Black voices that rose up to speak out against this tragedy are really folks who are just FED UP.  They were fed up with the hypcrisy of White America. 

White folks love to insinuate how much race issues have subsided, yet in the span of 8 months, there are pending cases that involve race.  All the victims were Black and the assailants were white.

Who's zooming who?

Let me just be even more blunt: White folks have not, cannot and seemingly will not face up to this very truth: They are innately evil and as Malcolm X said in the sixties; many of them are depraved.  It's just not in their nature to act civilly toward people of color. 

When the Civil Rights Act was passed; yes, it struck down institutionalized racism; but racism of the heart and mind are passed on...and keep on ticking like a Timex.

I've never been that naive in my life to believe that singing a few unity songs was going to change white people.

Black people need to understand, here and now, that those who are Caucasian; have a unique history in this world. What does their history show? It shows a people obsessed with money, dominance (only the strong survive), power, greed, war, and the use of fear and misinformation as tools to control what they conquer. This is absolutely the truth.

And it's just a matter of intelligence for those Blacks, like myself; to come to the conclusion, based on current history of my generation, regarding Caucasians, that these people are pathological in their behavior, and it's is just pure lunacy to expect them to act with spiritual, moral and brotherly love toward other races of people.

It's just not in them.

Simply put: I don't trust them...and that's just how I see it.