![]() The difference between a gang and an organization is the principles and the goals that they apply. Your priorities change, your perspectives change. “It’s a natural state of evolvement,” he says. His life and education in prison, he says, have given him a new conception of power. He says his gang days are over, and Growth and Development is a political organization. When Hoover speaks, even though he’s been in prison for 20 years, people pay attention. Thousands of young men, former and current gang members, hang on his words and ideas. And he influenced Chicago’s controversial “gang summit” of October 1993. ![]() He’s unquestionably encouraged GDs and friends from prison to form 21st Century V.O.T.E., the political action group that’s making a lot of old-time politicos nervous. But Hoover maintains that he’s transformed the Gangster Disciples into a community-service organization called Growth and Development. He’s the leader, police say, of the Gangster Disciples street gang. Hoover’s fame extends beyond the Illinois prison system. It contains letters from newsmagazines and CNN they want to interview him. He’s carrying a Federal Express envelope under his arm. Hoover poses for another picture and continues to work his way across the room, shaking hands as he goes. Hoover,” he says to his three grandchildren. At another table, a portly white inmate sits with his family. A pleasure.” Hoover poses for a snapshot with the group, shakes hands, and moves on. He walks over to one table, where a skinny, elderly black inmate sits with his guests. ![]() A bearded inmate in denim who seems no different than any other walks in, yet everyone somehow notices his arrival. Kids are playing video games in the corner or buying candy from the inmate-run commissary. On a weekday in late December, prisoners are sitting around circular tables with their families, chatting, eating hamburgers, dealing cards. The visiting room at the Dixon Correctional Center looks like a high school cafeteria. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2023
Categories |