Discriminating Against Help?

Image from GOOD

I've seen some pretty terrible things written about the Bloods/Crips truce, but they're actually continuing a legacy of gang partnerships to aid communities embroiled in riots. My favorite example of this was seen during the 1968 riots in Chicago:

-the Vice Lords and the Disciples set up food and clothing distribution centers for people victimized by riots

-the Disciples collected $700, four truckloads of non-perishable food, and three truckloads of clothing to be distributed throughout Chicago

-the Vice Lords distributed 3500 flyers denouncing the riots and promoting non-violence

-the Egyptian Cobras broke up a mob that stormed an elementary school

-the Blackstone Rangers and East Side Disciples agreed to a truce (with police officers and national guard soldiers looking on), and a combined 850 members aided police and national guard troops in keeping protests violence-free

After the riots concluded, the Rangers were accused by the police of extorting businesses for protection, but two local business associations came to their defense and praised the gangs for protecting black-owned stores and property.

After countless complaints about the impact of gangs on their communities, here is a great example of them doing something positive. I don't care about their backgrounds- if gangs want to help protect their neighbors, I'm all for it. Also, this really speaks to the scope of police violence and the distrust that they've sown among the American population.

Sources:
"Businessmen Support Gang Efforts To Keep Peace On Southside," Chicago Daily Defender, April 17, 1968, 2.
"Chicago Gangs Aid in City Violence Control Efforts," Chicago Daily Defender, April 9, 1968, 1.
"Five Negro Militants Accused of Arson in Chicago Rioting," New York Times, April 9, 1968, 36.
"Chicago: Troops Bring Nervous Calm," The Washington Post, April 8, 1968, A3.
"Chicago Mobilizes To Aid Victims of 2 Days’ Riot," Hartford Courant, April 8, 1968, 29.
"Two Gangs Set Up Centers For Helping Riot Victims," Chicago Daily Defender, April 11, 1968, 3.