F.O.L.K.S. – Follow and Obey the Laws the Kings Set – Black Gangster Disciple

1. Introduction

The Black Gangster Disciple organization is a powerful gang. Its power and strength have made it one of the most powerful gangs in the United States, with about 35,000 members. The group consists of well-organized “crews” that work together under the supervision of a strong central leadership. Members are typically male and African-American, and many come from low-income areas. The group is most active in the Great Lakes region, especially in Chicago. It also has members in other states and other countries. The gang has a long history. It was created by David Barksdale, who was the leader of the Black Disciple Nation. The group that eventually became the Black Gangster Disciples was formed by the leader of the Supreme Gangsters, a group that would eventually align with the Black Disciple Nation. The combined gang was known as the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. The gang has a hierarchical leadership structure, with a national board, state leaders, and then local leaders who lead the crews. The highest leader of the gang is known as the “chairman of the board”. The gang also has many laws that members must obey. These laws are grouped into “FOLKS” – “Follow and Obey the Laws the Kings Set”. This refers to the crucial role that leaders and their laws have in the gang’s ideology and organization. It also reflects the fact that leaders in the group have powers similar to those of a king in a monarchy – and gang leaders are prepared to defend their “kingdom” with violence. The gang’s power and presence are so strong because it is based on a semi-secret, disciplined, and well-structured organization. Every member of the gang is given a copy of the rules, called the “literature”. This literature was written by the founder of the Black Gangster Disciples, David Barksdale, before he was murdered in 1974. He was known as “King David”. The gang’s laws were updated by the next leader, Hoover, who was known as “King Larry”. Some of the laws specify things that members should or shouldn’t do – for example, “you must not be a punk” and “you should aim to be physically fit and train body and mind”. However, some of the laws are for the disciplined organization of the group, such as “Discipline must be maintained”; “One is never to harm the love of one’s life”; and “The unwilling, led by the unqualified, to do the unnecessary, for the ungrateful, is foolish”. The focus of this module is the issue of “gangs” and “dissent groups”, but the mention of discipline and leadership helps you to understand how the gang has maintained its power and influence for so many years.

1.2 Origins of Black Gangster Disciple

The Black Gangster Disciple began life in the Midwest. The organization was founded in the late 1960s as the Black Gangster Disciple Nation by David Barksdale, leader of the Black Disciples, and Larry Hoover, “supreme gangster” (Quinn and Kumfer 656). Hogshire (21) states that “Hoover controlled not only the illicit drug market in the Southside of Chicago, but…all the black underworld in the city” and that Barksdale ran the Westside. The connection between the Black Gangster Disciple and the Black Disciples “is a long-standing and complex one” (Hagedorn 85), although they have been known to be enemies. Hagedorn (85) suggests that power struggles and “factionalism” within Chicago gangs following the death of Barksdale led to the Black Gangster Disciples splitting into more “institutionalized units” and that the groups claim to be really fighting over the legacy of Barksdale. Hobble (353) suggests that the Black Gangster Disciples were actually formed prior to the Black Disciples and that they were originally part of a “people’s gang nation” and an “unholy alliance” that were united against “white supremacy and the police”. However, the differing interpretations of the origins of the Black Gangster Disciples are a common feature of gang formation myths… every individual gang seeks to claim a heritage that legitimizes its existence and codifies its adopted codes of conduct. It is usually very difficult to research gangland history because traditional historical documentation is not available so historians have to rely on a number of different sources. Gang culture is often considered to be simply an “oral history” but in reality, many gangs have adopted modern methods of communication and history, through websites and social media being only the latest “oral” movements.

2. F.O.L.K.S. Philosophy

2.1 The importance of following laws

2.2 The role of kings in the organization

2.3 Principles of loyalty and obedience

3.1 Hierarchy within the organization

3.2 Roles and responsibilities of members

3.3 Code of conduct and rules

4.1 Criminal activities and involvement

4.2 Community outreach and social programs

4.3 Influence on local neighborhoods

5. Influence of F.O.L.K.S. on Gang Culture

5.1 Spread of F.O.L.K.S. ideology

5.2 Impact on other gangs and organizations

5.3 Media portrayal and public perception

6. Challenges and Controversies

6.2 Internal conflicts and power struggles

6.3 Criticisms and debates surrounding the organization

7.1 Adaptation to changing times and environments

7.2 Potential for growth or decline

7.3 Strategies for maintaining relevance and influence