Monster: the autobiography of an L.A. gang member
Sanyika Shakur (aka Monster Kody Scott)
1993
383 pp.
Rating: 4 of 5
Gentle reader, you probably do not know this, but very few, if any, of the books I describe here have anything to do with my work. I read enough at work to want my recreational reading to be about things that will make me grow in other ways.
Monster crosses that line a bit. At work I'm starting to learn more about the juvenile justice system, and I work with some organizations that try to reduce juvenile violence and/or keep youth from recidivating. However, very little of the professional literature talks about why kids get involved in criminal activities. I have my guesses, but I'm always worried when people are left to their assumptions and 'common sense' (the earth is flat, etc.).
I'm not sure that Monster answers my question. However, it certainly illuminates the inner workings of gang life and membership. There is a very elaborate hierarchy, and a set of relationships between gang sub-units as well as relationships that tie gangs together in some interesting ways. The complete and utter failure (and cynical lack of caring) in the police and justice systems were breathtaking. I don't have any reason to doubt Shakur's words here.
Shakur's story is the story of race and and the effects of centuries of oppression. Monster is the chronicle of Shakur's long process of coming to know that. It's a harrowing tale, full of 12 year olds who'll kill you for no reason; Shakur himself lost count of the number of people he killed. He doesn't blame anyone, really, for what he did. Nor does he apologize really. It leaves the reader in an interesting place.
Right now, somewhere, a 10 or 11 year old is joining a gang. That gang is providing something that child needs, something that he isn't getting elsewhere. What does a 10 year old know? They know what they need.
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