Gang Leader For a Day

Voting, and the Black Kings efforts to have their members vote, is an important motif in the book. The Black Kings’ require all of their members to vote. This rule supports the image they are trying to construct of themselves as a community-minded organization, a force for good. However, the poor quality of the education their members receive about voting is highlighted when Venkatesh accompanies a group of young members who have been told to sign residents up to vote. During a conversation with one woman, the gaps in the young men’s knowledge—including the fact that you have to be eighteen to vote—are evident. The generational difference between the young men and the woman suggests the disenfranchisement of young black people. Furthermore, when Ms. Bailey encourages tenants to register to vote, she exposes her connection to and support of the Black Kings and the way that political power is shared among an elite few, even within the building. Indeed, the Black Kings’ main interest in having their members registered is so they can dictate who they’ll vote for. Being able to provide someone with a large block of votes will give them leverage to influence that politician in the future.