Featured

Gangster Anthropologist

September 28, 2012 3163

Jorja Leap / Youth violence researcher / University of California, Los Angeles

What’s her deal? Jorja Leap immersed herself in the culture of Los Angeles’ notorious street gangs for over 10 years, interviewing and working with hundreds of active and former gang members.

Isn’t that dangerous? “I started out in the late 1970s as this skinny little white social worker going into the projects.” When she returned to the streets years later as an anthropologist, former gang members she knew accompanied and vouched for her. “I’ve been in dangerous situations, but always felt very protected.”

Complicating personal detail: Husband is a former LAPD deputy chief. “He wanted me to stop my work because he felt it wasn’t safe. And gang members would plant stories with me to see if I would take them back to him.” It took time to get everyone’s trust. “Things got better after he retired.”

Surprising research finding #1: The further up someone is in the gang hierarchy the better their chances of going straight. “A shot caller in a gang has a much greater chance to be a leader in mainstream life. They may be semiliterate high school dropouts, but a lot of them are very smart. The same skills that elevated them in the neighborhood will help them succeed elsewhere. The neighborhood recognizes talent, make no mistake.”

Watch Jorja Leap on the anthropology of gangs

Surprising research finding #2: “There’s an emerging group of lesbians integrated into gang structure. Gangs do abuse women—there’s trafficking, there’s domestic violence, there’s rape. But in addition to that, women are taking increasingly active roles, especially lesbians. They’re often very active and engaged in violence. What’s amazing is that the homophobia does not extend to them.”

….

Read the rest of the article at Pacific Standard Magazine

Written by

Read Related Articles

Anthropology under attack

One of Library Journal’s Best Magazines of 2008, Miller-McCune not only identifies policy issues of global important but provides evidence-based solutions offered by academic research and real-world models. Through excellent but understandable writing and proven judgment in what to cover, the nonprofit Miller-McCune has received a surprising amount of acclaim and, more importantly, a large and growing audience interested in the social and natural sciences.

View all posts by Pacific-Standard Magazine

Related Articles

Nominations Open For 2025 John Maddox Prize for Promoting Evidence-Based Research
Recognition
February 21, 2025

Nominations Open For 2025 John Maddox Prize for Promoting Evidence-Based Research

Read Now
Tracking Current Federal Changes Affecting U.S. Education and Science
Resources
February 13, 2025

Tracking Current Federal Changes Affecting U.S. Education and Science

Read Now
Those ‘Indirect Costs’ Targeted by DOGE Directly Support America’s Research Excellence
News
February 12, 2025

Those ‘Indirect Costs’ Targeted by DOGE Directly Support America’s Research Excellence

Read Now
What Would Be the Point of Abolishing the US Education Department? An Anthropologist Explains
Public Policy
February 10, 2025

What Would Be the Point of Abolishing the US Education Department? An Anthropologist Explains

Read Now
Palestine – Donald Trump’s Vietnam?

Palestine – Donald Trump’s Vietnam?

The United States is (mostly) a great country. I have many friends there. My profession has given me opportunities to visit, travel […]

Read Now
Social Science for Social Justice Podcast Returns for Second Season 

Social Science for Social Justice Podcast Returns for Second Season 

Sage (the parent of Social Science Space) and Surviving Society’s collaborative podcast series, Social Science for Social Justice, has returned for a […]

Read Now
Survey Says … Most People Trust Scientists

Survey Says … Most People Trust Scientists

Public trust in scientists is vital. It can help us with personal decisions on matters like health and provide evidence-based policymaking to […]

Read Now
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments