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Erin Chagnon
English 1, R1
Gangs Assignment


A gang is a group of people, through the organization who share a common identity. No gang is the same, yet they do share some similarities. This is what differentiates gangs. However, not all gangs are all bad.
The Japanese Mafia, The Yakuza, are also known as gokudo. Law enforcements name them boryokudan (meaning violence group), while they call themselves ninkyo dantai (meaning chivalrous organizations). They originally orientated during the mid-Edo period and were informed of being the lowest social groups in Edo. The Yakuza’s rituals were strange and gruesome. Being, upon the first offense they cut off the tip of the left pinky finger and handed the severed portion to the boss as a form of apology. They may even cut off the finger. Another ritual would be having full body tattoos made by sharpened bamboo or steel, while the ink is inserted beneath the skin.
Originating in the 1950s, these young adults usually come from the northeastern and southern United States. Greasers are their names, yet they are also known as hoods. Naming was from their appearances, as they greased back their hair. They are usually known as the low class or less then others, assumed to be nothing but criminals.
Many contrasts differentiates The Yakuza and greasers. The greasers aren't as harmful or sadistic as the Japanese mafia. Unlike The Yakuza, greasers don't punish their members in such a way as to cut off the tip of one's finger or simply cut the finger off. Another contrast is the fact that The Yakuza is impossible to catch sense they are such a huge organization. Greasers are a small enough group to be caught by the authorities.
Comparisons of these two gangs show their level of deadliness. For one, they are both gangs. They are a group who have a lot to go through. Another similarity is they both can be very deadly if needed to.

The author of "The Outsiders", H.E. Hilton, tells that gangs are not what they expect to be. Just because someone is in a gang doesn't mean you should judge them. In the end, they may be a good person, or even was a good person in the beginning. She teaches us to understand and not be so assuming.

In conclusion, gangs are different, yet the same, and also aren't what they are expected to be. "The Outsiders" is an example of this. In the end, don't assume, take the time to understand the other, even if they are your enemy.