Gang Leader For A Day

Sudhir Venkatesh's new book Gang Leader For A Day is a riveting read. His study of the Black Kings Gang, one of it's gang leaders, J.T. and the underground economy of the Robert Taylor housing project is fascinating. The gang dealing in drugs, runs like a big business corporation with foot soldiers comprising of young black men selling the drugs on the street, to higher ups that enforce strict codes and procedures and beat up people when they do not comply.

I found the role of women quite fascinating. Apparently the women used to run the economy in the projects until the gang came and took over control. I wish he had written more about the economy when the women were incharge.

He is deeply critical of his own complicity throughout the book. Was what he was doing right? Was he misleading J.T. and others that he was not writting their biographies.

There is an interesting exchange between Sudhir and Alex at Slate.