Editing Gang (section)

==Identification==
{{Main|Gang signal}}
[[File:Sur13 Tattoo 2014-05-27 18-31.jpg|thumbnail|A [[Sureños|Sureño]] gang tattoo]]
Most gang members have [[Gang signals|identifying characteristics]] which are unique to their specific clique or gang.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everettpolicema.com/gang_awareness.htm |title=Gang Awareness |work=Everett Police Department <!-- |access-date=2009 --> |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423131139/http://www.everettpolicema.com/gang_awareness.htm |archive-date=2015-04-23 }}</ref> The [[Bloods]], for instance, wear red bandanas, the [[Crips]] blue, allowing these gangs to "represent" their affiliation. Any disrespect of a gang member's color by an unaffiliated individual is regarded as grounds for violent retaliation, often by multiple members of the offended gang. [[Tattoo]]s are also common identifiers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofws.org/Home/Nlnn/GangAwareness/Articles/GangIdentifiers|title=Gang Identifiers|work=Winston-Salem Police Department web site "TGOD Mofo" is a common statement being passed around the hood.<!-- |access-date=2009 -->|access-date=2009-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717092554/http://www.cityofws.org/Home/Nlnn/GangAwareness/Articles/GangIdentifiers|archive-date=2011-07-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> such as an '18' above the eyebrow to identify a member of the [[18th Street (gang)|18th Street gang]]. Tattoos help a gang member gain respect within their group, and mark them as members for life. Tattoos can also represent the level they are in the gang, being that certain tattoos can mean they are a more accomplished member. The accomplishments can be related to doing a dangerous act that showed your loyalty to the gang. They can be burned on as well as inked. Some gangs make use of more than one identifier, like the [[Nortenos]], who wear red bandanas and have "14", "XIV", "x4", and "Norte" tattoos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://faculty.missouristate.edu/M/MichaelCarlie/what_I_learned_about/GANGS/graffiti_and_other_identifiers.htm|title=Graffiti and Other Gang Identifiers|work=© 2002 Michael K. Carlie<!-- |access-date=2009 -->|access-date=2009-10-21|archive-date=2009-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206132551/http://faculty.missouristate.edu/m/MichaelCarlie/what_i_learned_about/gangs/graffiti_and_other_identifiers.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some members of [[criminal gang (disambiguation)|criminal gang]]s are [[Initiation#Gang|"jumped in"]] (by going through a process of initiation), or have to prove their loyalty and right to belong by committing certain acts, usually theft or violence.

[[File:Crip handsign.gif|thumb|A member of the [[Crips]] showing a [[gang signal]]]]
Gangs often establish distinctive, characteristic identifiers including [[graffiti]] tags<ref>Author: Ferrell, J., Title: "[http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol3is4/style.html Crimes of style: Urban graffiti and the politics of criminality] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110170718/http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol3is4/style.html |date=2007-11-10 }}", Publisher: New York: Garland. (235pp), Year: 1993</ref> [[Gang colors|colors]], [[Gang signal#Hand signs|hand signals]], clothing (for example, the [[gangsta rap]]-type hoodies), jewelry, hair styles, fingernails, slogans,<ref>"[http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ480808&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ480808 Gang Identifiers and Terminology]", Cantrell, Mary Lynn, Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Problems, v1 n1 pp13-14 Spr 1992</ref> signs (such as the [[noose]] and the burning cross as the symbols of the Klan),<ref>"[http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/NEWS03/710210310 Noose: 'Shameful' sign makes ominous return]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080717092720/http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20071021%2FNEWS03%2F710210310 |date=July 17, 2008 }}", by Darryl Fears, Washington Post, Published: October 21, 2007 6:00 a.m.</ref> flags<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1007/BF01115492| title=Symbols and the world system: National anthems and flags| year=1993| last1=Cerulo| first1=Karen A.| journal=Sociological Forum| volume=8| issue=2| pages=243–271| s2cid=144023960}}</ref> secret greetings, [[Pejorative|slurs]], or code words and other group-specific symbols associated with the gang's common beliefs, [[ritual]]s, and [[mythologies]] to define and differentiate themselves from other groups and gangs.<ref>"[https://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2003/mar2003/mar03leb.htm The Seven-Stage Hate Model] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410113036/http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2003/mar2003/mar03leb.htm |date=2010-04-10 }}", United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation</ref>

As an alternative language, hand-signals, symbols, and slurs in speech, [[graffiti]], print, music, or other mediums communicate specific informational cues used to threaten, disparage, [[taunt]], [[harass]], [[intimidate]], alarm, influence,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/r/racketeering-influenced-and-corrupt-organizations-act-rico/ |title=RICO |publisher=Definitions.uslegal.com |access-date=2014-06-18}}</ref> or exact specific responses including obedience, submission, fear, or terror. One study focused on terrorism and symbols states that "[s]ymbolism is important because it plays a part in impelling the [[terrorist]] to act and then in defining the targets of their actions."<ref>"[http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/swi/2002/00000013/00000001/art00006 Symbolism and Sacrifice in Terrorism]", Authors: J. Dingley; M. Kirk-Smith, Source: Small Wars & Insurgencies, Volume 13, Number 1, Spring 2002, pp. 102-128(27, Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group</ref> Displaying a gang sign, such as the noose, as a symbolic act can be construed as "a threat to commit [[violence]] communicated with the intent to terrorize another, to cause evacuation of a building, or to cause serious public inconvenience, in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience … an offense against property or involving danger to another person that may include but is not limited to recklessly endangering another person, [[harassment]], [[stalking]], ethnic intimidation, and [[criminal mischief]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/t/terroristic-threat/ |title=Terroristic Threat Law & Legal Definition |publisher=Definitions.uslegal.com |access-date=2014-06-18}}</ref>

The Internet is one of the most significant media used by gangs to communicate in terms of the size of the audience they can reach with minimal effort and reduced risk. Social media provides a forum for recruitment activities, typically provoking rival gangs through derogatory postings, and to glorify their gang and themselves.<ref name="fbi.gov">[https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/april_2011/human_sex_trafficking Combating Gangsters Online] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508153251/http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/april_2011/human_sex_trafficking/ |date=2014-05-08 }}, Author: Matthew O'Deane, April 2011, pp. 1-7, Publisher: Federal Bureau of Investigation</ref>