Blog : Gang Leader for a Day

This book was a very interesting read. It is about the author, Sudhir Venkatesh, and his ethnography study of the gangs in Chicago. The interactions he had with the community was very dynamic. It started off very awkward for him because his approach to gangs were strange to them. However, over time, the gang members and him become closer and more accepting of each other.

I think that Sudhir got a lot more from his interactions with the gangs than just his book publications. He found out that the people he met were more than what he first perceive. He got to see how and why they do what they do, and it changed his perspective on things. Sudhir got to see a lot of the violence and illegal activities that goes on within the gang, such as drug dealing, prostitution, and gang wars. But on the other hand, he also got to see many of the people help out others in the projects. They gave donations, ran events, and took care of each other. There was even a point when the higher gang members wanted to join politics. Sudhir grew more accustomed to being with them, especially with JT. It began more than a social study to him, and Sudhir even became more involved with what they do.

What is also interesting was the effect that Sudhir had on JT. JT has hesitant towards Sudhir, but he grew to be protective of him. They became close friends. Whenever trouble arose, it was him that would try and cover Sudhir or keep him away from the problem. He always tried to keep the best interest for Sudhir. This may be because JT sees Sudhir as a way to gain popularity, but I believe he fundamentally changed. After many years of being part of the gang, JT eventually felt the need to leave that part of him behind. He may have always had that thought, but without Sudhir, he would have not had the chance to reflect on all the things he did. Years after the projects closure, he still tries to keep in contact with Sudhir. It seems to me that he became a significant portion of his life.

This book does well in showing the interaction between two largely different cultures, Sudhir and his educated lifestyle and a lowly street gang from Chicago. Sudhir got to learn a lot more from them than he expected. I think that the interaction was possible because of JT, also, having an educated background. It allowed him to discuss with Sudhir on the same level. Everything that happened could have happened differently as well. If the projects did not get closed, how long will Sudhir be tied to them? If he tried to study a different gang would it have developed the same? Also, another interesting question to ask is, what if Sudhir was white? With Sudhir being Indian, it allowed him to be assimilated a bit easier because they also view him as a minority. If he was Caucasian, I do not think that his study would have gone so easily.