Changing Gang Culture - Reformation Rather Than Eradication
Much has been written about gangs in our society. Though psychologists and social scientists have identified trends and offered clinical terms concerning gang violence, their lack of first hand knowledge of the gang experience has kept them on the periphery of the cause, throwing darts at the effect.
There is no classroom text, research, or data that effectively transfers the violent, traumatic gang experiences and the resulting condition, "Post Traumatic Gang Syndrome"© to the novice-prohibiting the researcher from prescribing an anecdote that will significantly reduce gang violence. N'STEP's® Gangology 101© is a holistic approach which identifies and addresses the psychological and the sociological aspects of the gang violence problem currently prevalent in the Structural Gang Culture©. Together with the companion text, Original Diamond Boy: Psychology of a Gang Banger, it is uniquely effective; engaging our youth and speaking directly to their experience-facilitating reformation and productive change within the gang.
"Our youth are our most precious and valuable natural resource. They are the oil that lubricates the wheels of societal and world change. At a time when the world is focused on the inflated price of crude oil, the crude reality is that there is a systemic depletion of the oil of change which is our youth. We've been out of step for too long, it's time to get "N'STEP"®."
Le'Taxione, Gangologist
Author of Gangology 101 & Original Diamond Boy: Psychology of a Gang Banger
About the companion text Original Diamond Boy: Psychology of a Gang Banger
"A narrative of violent and brutal gang life in both the streets and prison, Original Diamond Boy: Psychology of a Gang Banger is, paradoxically, also a story of healing. Human connections - relationships - are essential for recovery from the trauma caused by violence in the home, on the streets, or resulting from racism and oppression. Le'Taxione was nurtured by the relationships forged with other members of the Diamond Boys, and those relationships made possible his journey toward wholeness. This amazing, unforgettable book illuminates a path toward healing for our children: work to eradicate the violence of gang life, of racism and oppression, but treasure the gang and the relationships between its members."
Barbara Bennett, Ph.D.
School Psychologist and Educational Consultant
Co-founder of First Place School (an independent school in Seattle for children who have experienced trauma due to family and/or community violence, homelessness, poverty, racism and oppression)
Instructor, "The Psychology of Trauma", a University Behind Bars course at Monroe Correctional Complex
Le’Taxione has been a member of the Structural Gang Culture© for 33 years, 25 of which were spent active in gang leadership, recruitment and the geographical transmission of the violent, destructive lifestyle and the miscreant aspects of the gang mentality. His actions based on his philosophy of “live or die, Crip or cry” propelled him to the top of the ranks. He brings his years of active gang involvement and leadership in the street organization to this powerful work; providing him the credentials to speak to our youth and to the issues of gang violence prevention and intervention with unique authenticity.
