Renegade Dreams: Living Through Injury in Gangland Chicago

In the field note titled “Early Funerals,” Ralph recounts a day spent with Mr. Otis. Unable to use a recorder, Ralph writes down Mr. Otis’s stories about what the man deems the true history of the gang. Mr. Otis’s view of the gang is distinct from popular myths. Mr. Otis expresses his disappointment with current gang leaders, contrasting them unfavorably with past leaders. The following day, Ralph encounters a large protest of mostly teenagers chanting, “WE WANT FUTURES, NOT FUNERALS” (52). The demonstration features rows of empty desks, each with a placard bearing the name of a Chicago student killed by gun violence, alongside their gym shoes.

The narrative moves to the world of the West Side Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago, where Ralph observes the behaviors and conversations of young gang members. He describes the inmates’ habit of avoiding eye contact, instead focusing on the shoes of newcomers to discern their identity and purpose. This fixation on footwear emerges as a significant theme throughout the chapter.

Ralph introduces Benjamin Gregory, a Bible-study instructor who has been visiting the detention center for years. Gregory’s observations about the inmates, particularly their fixation on selling drugs and gym shoes, are critical regarding the youths’ mindset and values. While accepting the perspicacity of Mr. Gregory’s analysis of the youths’ superficiality, Ralph has a more complex understanding of the gang members’ fixation on shoes and clothing.

He explores the concept of “gang renegades” (56), which refers to young gang affiliates perceived as lacking commitment and discipline. Ralph argues that these renegades are often blamed for gang underperformance and senseless violence. The chapter analyzes the intra-gang dynamics and the generational differences within the gang community.

There is a historical consciousness attached to gym shoes among gang members, and Ralph describes how different generations of the Divine Knights gang associate different meanings and memories with these shoes. For older members, gym shoes symbolize a time of grassroots initiatives and local protest movements, while for the younger generation, they represent status and success within the gang hierarchy. For the young generation of the Divine Knights Gang, a member’s status is marked by fashionable sneakers. These shoes, particularly exclusive and colorful varieties, are highly valued among young gang members, or “renegades.” The popularity of specific footwear, such as Timberland boots, Creative Recreations, Air Force Ones, and signature basketball shoes, especially Jordans, reflects a mix of fashion aspiration and gang identity. Older gang members, who once cherished similar material symbols, now view the younger generation’s fashion focus with some hypocrisy. These sneakers not only signify status but also represent aspirations for future success within the gang hierarchy. Ralph reflects that the sneaker culture in the Divine Knights Gang exemplifies the blend of nostalgia and forward-looking aspirations, paralleling the significance of Eastwood’s architectural heritage in the context of urban redevelopment.

This chapter introduces a discussion on the impact of structural changes in American society, including deindustrialization and the shifting dynamics of the urban drug trade. These changes have influenced gang structures and the role of gang members in their communities.

In the last part of the chapter, Ralph joins Career Day at Brown High School, whose student body is primarily composed of African American students, many of whom are gang affiliated. The event is fueled by the optimism surrounding Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and focuses on empowering students. Ralph, along with a probation officer and a corporate attorney, engages with a group of sophomores identified as gang members. Activities include discussions and debates on the influence of figures like Barack Obama and Jay-Z on their sense of power. The students express varied opinions, with some skeptical about the impact of a Black president on their personal lives, while others see political figures as more influential than entertainers. Despite the efforts of the professionals, some students heckle the speakers, exposing a gap between the students’ realities and the messages conveyed by those who come from outside their community and try to help them.

Ralph uses the stories of individual gang members to illustrate the challenges they face. He describes the plight of Danny Silver, a young gang member who becomes entangled in the legal system and the pressures of gang life. Through Danny’s story, Ralph conveys the harsh realities of life for young people in Eastwood, who navigate a world of limited opportunities and high risks.