Gangster Disciples
The Black Gangster Disciple is an American street gang that was founded in the late 1960s in the South Side of Chicago. Founders were David Barksdale, leader of the Black Disciples, and Larry Hoover, leader of the Supreme Gangsters. The two groups came together as the Black Gangster Disciple Nation ( BGDN ). The Gangster Disciples are present throughout the United States and have 40-60.000 members, including 30,000 in Chicago, the majority are African American.
The group has made several attempts to legitimize their presence. Some members have the "B" stored and call themselves GDs or Gangster Disciples. In the 1990s, the Disciples in the tradition of the Black Panthers, Blackstone Rangers Traveling Vice Lords, Black Disciples and Young Lords presented, Latin Kings, by setting up a " growth and development " movement. Outside of Chicago some gangs continue to carry the old name of BGD.
Members of the Gangster Disciples are also documented in the U.S. military, they were found both within the U.S. and foreign bases. Graffiti of the gangsters Disciples were found in bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Allies and rivals
The Gangster Disciples are allied with the Folk Nation and the Crips, the Sureños, the Zoe Pound Gang, the Black Guerrilla Family, the Black Mafia Family and the Juggalos. Its rivals include the People Nation, the Black P.Stones, the Traveling Vice Lords, Bloods, Latin Kings, Norteños and the Black Disciples
Symbols and identification
Like most large gangs also use the Gangster Disciples, a system of clearly defined symbols for communication. This system is a combination of symbols that represent the Gangster Disciples or the Folk Nation as a whole and, as a rule, in order to provoke these symbols that stand for other gangs.
The gang colors are black, gray and blue. Many members wear clothes of Georgetown Hoyas and the Duke Blue Devils.
The six-pointed star
The most important transition symbol is a six pointed star, in the style identical to the Star of David. This parody is a tribute to the founder David Barksdale. The six points are to stand for love, life, loyalty, understanding, knowledge and wisdom and respect.