I don't really know where to begin with this topic because its such a broad one. To me, gangs are a personal issue because I have been living in South Auckland for about 7 years now and I'm sure everybody has heard atleast a little bit about South Auckland's reputation for crime. Before I moved here I used to live in the Bay of Islands and gangs were'nt really an issue to me at all. Whether this was because I was naive to their existance, or because they were'nt as prominent as they are nowadays is unknown to me but I have definately been hearing more about them over the past few years.
Another reason this has become a personal issue is because, not that long ago, friends of mine were "jumped" by around 15 men who claimed to members of a well-known South Auckland gang known as The Killer Bees. Luckily they were just after money and didn't physically harm anybody.
Even so, just hearing about things like this make me that little bit more scared and wary of the people around me.
Does anyone else have opinions or personal experiences relating to gangs?
15 comments:
Although I cannot relate to this issue personally, like yourself, I still have strong opinions about "Gangs". I feel the gangs in New Zealand have definitely become worse, as they are more violent and members are commiting more crimes.
It is a worry for people who live in areas such as South Auckland, because they are more likely to be exposed to various gang behaviour. Such people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and find themselves in danger of being the victim of a violent crime.
It also upsets me how most of the victims of these crimes, that you hear in the news, are not associated with the gangs in any way, but still are affected. I think it doesn't seem fair and in some cases innocent lives should not be taken for an obscene reason!
Can't wait to read more about your blog and to find out your opinions on this matter.
I fully understand where you're coming from.
I think in New Zealand "Gang wars" aren't as common as they are in other countries, such as the infamous battle between the "bloods" and "crips" in America. I think here most of the victims of gang crimes are not other rival gang members but more innocent victims. Most people who commit crimes claim to be from some gang or another , so when you think about it gang life in New Zealand goes so much further than just the well-known Mongrel Mob and Black Power, etc.
It's understandable that you can't relate to this issue personally but its doubtful that there is any person in this country unaware of the gang scene in New Zealand.
Also, I'd just like to clarify that I'm not saying just because I've been living in South Auckland I'm more likely to come accross gangs but statistically speaking that's probably true. But in all honesty the whole time I've lived there I've never had a personal experience (that I recall). But of coures there are a lot of "wannabe gangsters" who comit petty crimes.
However, I have had some pretty intense experiences in Auckland City. Just last weekend I was harrassed by people saying they were from Black Power!
So it really makes you think....
Thanks for your comment
Hey Vic.
It's really upsetting just watching news about gang relation these days. I can relate to this because, since i was nine i've been residing with my family in South Auckland. To be honest, because of issues like these im ashame to respond to peoples question like 'where do you live?'. South Auckland has hugely been represented negatively in terms of media and the community itself. I can honeslty say, it's not easy waking up every morning worrying about your life. I've seen kids younger then me fighting with knife and other weapons, it's not a easy thing to accept. People say that the media should be held reposible for so many troubled young youth lifes and up bringing. Which i too agree with, but i also think, how people act and behave depends on what kind of people and environment they are surrounded by. A friend of mine who is in a gang himself, has suffered childhood abuse since he was a toddler from his parents. He tried not to turn out like his other friends but always manage to fall back to his past. So you wonder where does all the influence come from when theres no radio or TV. The biggest influence are the Parents even if theres no parents then it's someone older who obviously play a role in our young youths life. I think its a well chosen topic to write about Vic. I cant wait other peoples opinions.
Cheers*
Hi,
First of all this is'nt Vic its Eileen, lol sorry~
And yeah, when people ask where I'm from and I reply "South Auckland" everyone always jokes around and says things like "Oh, don't hurt me!"
South Auckland has quite a reputation
wow! reading both of your comments really made think about not only how it affects the people involved or the victims of gang crimes. But it also affects the people that are exposed to that sort of environment because of the area they live in. It isn't their fault,they are the innocent ones, yet they can witness behaviour and violence on a regular basis. It really opened my eyes more and your heart goes out to the people that are made to deal with these awful situations everyday!!
Hey Vic!
I Think the word GANGS scares alot of people these days. Just refering to what Claire mention about people who are affected by gangs or have witness Gang violence, well those people are most likely to make a change with in the community that has anything to do with Gangs. Being surrounded by a media watch environment isn't easy, like a said before, im still ashame to admit that im a South Auckland Girl. It happen to me once where this girl who grew up in Central approached me and asked me where i lived and i replyed "Mangere", and she said where is that and i said in South Auckland. She instantly gave me this astonish look and kindly smile and ads is that where all the gangs conflict is happening in? I said yeah i guess if thats what the media say then i think your right. Im just quite angry that fact that the media can really represent you so negatively. Im not saying that Gangs not a negative thing but theres alot of people who are are trying so hard to put a stop to this. Rather then the media focusing on the negative side of gangs, they should pay attention to those who are trying to make a difference in the community.
hey Eileen, personally i have a strong dislike for gangs and i think that the New Zealand government should really put alot more focus on gang warfare as it is becoming worse and worse everyday, as for gangs based overseas, for example the Mafia and the Yakuza Run their syndicate as a legitimate business when sadly it is anything but. good luck with your blog
Hey eileen
I too strongly disagree with gangs as they only result in disaster. I have never really seen a real gang or witnessed anything of it so I am not really familiar with the type of gangs out there. However watching the news and reading the newspaper helps alot and it really disgusts me how certain people of the community can actually and i mean literally do such obsurd things.They are human themselves right ?? so why do they hurt other human beings ?? I understand some of them may have grown up in violent enviourments. So maybe its up to their parents and parents of today to keep their children out of gangs and set a good example for them. Thanks I eileen i enjoyed your blog. You can have a look at my blog it is on gangs aswell I would like to hear what you have to say . Thankyou and i am looking forward to reading more of your blog.
Hey
I agree with you all. It's sad watching news or hearing things that involve Gangs today. I agree with what Dyls said about the government who should really focus on the gang welfare. Not long ago i watched the news about two couple from overseas who got beaten by a group of guys in the middle of the night for nothing.
The guys were charged and found guilty, and will now serve up to 5years in prison. What kind of message is that sending to our young youth?... That it's alright to beat anyone for the sake of it...I can only hope and pray this won't affect anyone i know.
Actually that brings another thought to mind. I'm sure everyone has heard the phrase "the punishment doesn't fit the crime" which means the punishment for the crime is too harsh. Well I think in NZ we have the opposite problem. Wouldn't you agree?
It might be a good idea to look into a gang members point of view, gang members often come from torn apart families where the children are ridiculed and abused. so they live on the street and they find that being in a gang is the closest thing to family, they think that the gang is there for them and will help them through life, which is what the gng tells them. However it is nothing but brain washing bulls*%t. they are only used as pawns in a awful game. so who is to blame? the families or the children?
I agree with you on that Dylan. I have a couple of articles that touch on that. One is from an ex gang members point of view, and the other about the sense of belonging youth have in gangs. Some people actually believe that gangs are good for the youth. While personally I don't agree its still a different point of view I should explore. Don't really wanna talk to any actual gang members tho... >.<
Btw, thanks everyone for your comments. You've given me heaps and heaps to think about and expand on!
South Auckland Hard lol, I kinda like the greif I get from my non south auckland mates when they find out im from south auckland just like Eileen and Voluspa said, as soon as people find out your a south aucklander you do get sort of looked down upon.
I grew up here and I've seen a few things about gangs, not saying im affliated with gangs at all or nothing, but i do have a few friends in gangs.
Alot roots back to poverty i must say, say whats easier:
1) Jumping some kid for their iphone and you probally would never get caught
2) Working at McDonalds 9 til 5, 5 Days a week and while degrading(no offence to any Mc'D Workers Reading this) you earn your Nokia 3315
When your in a gang you do get looked up upon which might not make too much sense but you do.
Say your affiliated with Black Power or something, people find out and they wont want to mess with you.
And of corse those "wannabe gangsters" Claire was talking about, start their own small gang in hopes to make it big with a big reputation so they assult innocent people and yell their gang name out while driving away in their sacked merc because theres about 7 people sitting in the backseat looking for a fight.
Hope this did help in some way, and hope you think im not just talking rubbish cause ive been playing Grand Theft Auto IV all week lol
Yea of course I agree with you. I have like ex boyfriends who were in gangs. But that doesn't make me a hypocrite coz I didn't know at the time lol. I used to not be bothered by gangs, like at all, but stuff has happened to me that has made me so so scared of the people around me. Regardless if they're in a gang or not. When you've suffered from trauma it doesn't really go away. I'm just choosing to focus on gangs because they're in the spotlight at the moment
It's a pitty watching this happening to our own community.
Lates incident that happen in South Auckland was at Manurewa, how the shop keeper got shot after his shop got robbed by a group of trouble makers. Im not supose to say this but the guy who got arrested for the shop keeper murder was a high school class mate of mine. Im quite dissapointed the fact that a man of his age wasn't thinking straight. And lets not forget about the asain lady who got run'd over by a car after her bag got snatch off from her. Gosh this seems to get worse every day in South Auckalnd and it's mainly happeniing to the asian community. The shop keeper was Idian. Honestly I want to pass my deepest sympathy to all whom lost a love one from gangs huslters. Peace Out.
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