The MS 13 gang has many rituals and symbols that are used as a communication device. As described in the film, hand signs, gestures, area codes, body language, and tattoos are all used to communicate between members. There is a complex vocabulary devised specifically to plan attacks, warn, threaten, and talk amongst the MS 13. Investigators had a huge help from Brenda Pas, a young female who was once apart of the gang, in breaking down the language. Describing the signs as complex and important to the members, it has grown from the basic devil horn symbol, which stands for MS 13, to possibly 1,000’s of symbols and signs. Stacking hand signals is common to achieve sentence-like warnings and to coordinate attacks. Many of the members display
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MS 13 upholds its members to many norms that are very strictly enforced. Unfortunately, breaking these strict policies is a death sentence, as we saw with seventeen year old Brenda Pas. Snitching is not tolerated and threatens the gangs ability to continue and will result in death in the MS, as we saw with Brenda who was murdered for telling the authorities important information and trying to leave the gang. Hospital, death, or jail were the only ways out of the gang, a member described. Fear and violence is used to enforce the norms of the group, with its own justice system, doing something frowned upon could result in beatings or death. One of the rules and an expected norm of the group is you must recruit. Playgrounds are a common recruitment site preying on the young children, especially those from poverty, offering a family-like appeal. What the children don’t realize is that once you become a member there is no turning back. It is essential for the gang to grow and they will do it by any means. We were introduced to Jester, a MS 13 member who shot someone at the tender age of 9, he was taught the 13 rules that are used as a standard and nothing less would be accepted. Killing is a transition marker for a young member, it marks the beginning of the membership that continues until they die. Members are taught and expected …show more content…
Illegal activity is the epicenter of all things MS 13, to the extent that many or most of its members are career criminals. The money from selling and trafficking drugs funds the group and helps perpetuate it. Crime is such a big part of the gang that even children as young as 8 or 9 that are recruited are taught to kill. As we saw with Jester, a member of the gang who was recruited young, you are basically told “find a rival and shoot him”. Earning your stripes, as members say, is done by participating in illegal activity, not just drug dealing but also killing, robbing, etc. Glorifying the members who participate in the activity is common, it is expected and the more you do the higher in the gang you are held. Territory is marked by graffiti, a way of claiming stake on a certain block or area to conduct their business. Every block equals income to the MS, so defending their territory by any means necessary is standard. Common people like food vendors must pay protection fees to gang members to ensure their safety, MS 13 members even tax drug dealers on their turf for an even more lucrative income. Also, we got a good idea from the film that the MS 13 even had their hand in health care suggesting illegal sales of prescriptions. One gang member told the film “you name it, we got it, why go to the doctor”, this suggests they prey on those in poverty who may not be able to afford
MS 13 upholds its members to many norms that are very strictly enforced. Unfortunately, breaking these strict policies is a death sentence, as we saw with seventeen year old Brenda Pas. Snitching is not tolerated and threatens the gangs ability to continue and will result in death in the MS, as we saw with Brenda who was murdered for telling the authorities important information and trying to leave the gang. Hospital, death, or jail were the only ways out of the gang, a member described. Fear and violence is used to enforce the norms of the group, with its own justice system, doing something frowned upon could result in beatings or death. One of the rules and an expected norm of the group is you must recruit. Playgrounds are a common recruitment site preying on the young children, especially those from poverty, offering a family-like appeal. What the children don’t realize is that once you become a member there is no turning back. It is essential for the gang to grow and they will do it by any means. We were introduced to Jester, a MS 13 member who shot someone at the tender age of 9, he was taught the 13 rules that are used as a standard and nothing less would be accepted. Killing is a transition marker for a young member, it marks the beginning of the membership that continues until they die. Members are taught and expected …show more content…
Illegal activity is the epicenter of all things MS 13, to the extent that many or most of its members are career criminals. The money from selling and trafficking drugs funds the group and helps perpetuate it. Crime is such a big part of the gang that even children as young as 8 or 9 that are recruited are taught to kill. As we saw with Jester, a member of the gang who was recruited young, you are basically told “find a rival and shoot him”. Earning your stripes, as members say, is done by participating in illegal activity, not just drug dealing but also killing, robbing, etc. Glorifying the members who participate in the activity is common, it is expected and the more you do the higher in the gang you are held. Territory is marked by graffiti, a way of claiming stake on a certain block or area to conduct their business. Every block equals income to the MS, so defending their territory by any means necessary is standard. Common people like food vendors must pay protection fees to gang members to ensure their safety, MS 13 members even tax drug dealers on their turf for an even more lucrative income. Also, we got a good idea from the film that the MS 13 even had their hand in health care suggesting illegal sales of prescriptions. One gang member told the film “you name it, we got it, why go to the doctor”, this suggests they prey on those in poverty who may not be able to afford