Summary
The narrative of Tommy Shakur Ross, a former gang member incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison for the murder of a rival gang member, is the focus of this episode. The way this interview was edited to make Mr. Ross seem to be telling a cohesive story is what makes it so enjoyable. Occasionally, Earlonne and Nigel interject their own commentary into Mr. Ross's story. This was done after the interview and serves as a stand-in for the questions that ought to have been asked. According to Durkhiem's Theory of Anomie, most people strive toward particular, socially acceptable goals and experience anomie when their social group is unable to achieve them.
Theory of Strain: Adverse experiences can cause stress and instill criminal behavior in young people.
Social Disorganization Theory: Any psychology theory and local ecological theories are related to crime rates.
According to the hypothesis, a need for respect and safety on the streets can lead to gang participation as well as social marginalization and poverty. Tommy Ross had an excellent upbringing and a loving family, but he was driven to gang life because it offered a feeling of belonging and stability. The idea also highlights the importance of “focal concerns” like toughness, adrenaline, and street smarts in gang culture. These issues play a part in how gang members establish their reputations and gain each other’s respect—Tommy Ross’s engagement in violent and drug-related offenses connected to gangs. In sociology, strain theory postulates that people commit crimes as a result of pressure from social conditions like poverty or inadequate education. American sociologist Robert K. initially proposed the concepts that would later form the basis of strain theory in the 1930s. Despite having no resources, Tommy Shakur was influenced by his community to be culturally accepted. Failing to meet positive value expectations is one of the pressures. He wanted to be accepted as a celebrity because of his peers in South Central Los Angeles. Ross considered his past as a member of a gang and his experiences with child abuse. He expressed his regret and grief over his mother and brother’s deaths at the hands of a rival gang in retaliation. Tommy had a different perspective after being locked up and understood how many mistakes he had made. He realized he should never have chosen the road he did and blamed himself for his brother and mother because of his involvement in a gang. He was attempting to fit in and live up to the stereotype of a guy, but he was blinded by the way he was living. Tommy also had problems with his father abusing him and not being there as a father. In essence, he wanted to blend in with a group that owned great cars and prestige too become someone. I believe that his difficult upbringing and maltreatment contributed to his decision to join a gang.
