Gangster mentality can mean different things to many. A gang is a group
of people with a common goal. I must emphasize that all words/concepts
are subject to connotations that don’t necessarily have good intentions.
Gang/gangster therefore carry negative and positive connotations, like
other words like socialism, anarchism, communism, etc. It has been
MIM(Prisons)’s aim to educate us about these ideas through the proper
usage of science.
With this in mind, I consider myself a gangster. Since I believe in the
idea of working with others towards a common goal, to me it is not about
“defeating this gangster mentality,” it’s about embracing it and
re-directing it towards the “Shining Path.” We have a common enemy, and
resolving our minor contradictions doesn’t necessarily mean that we have
to defeat our gangster mentality. This kind of language is what causes
rejection from the lumpen organizations(L.O.s) in many cases. This is
the language that is used by state-financed organizations and Christian
groups/org.
I understand that MIM’s direction is different, but those who pick up
ULK and glance at it may see this language and will put
ULK down. My approach has, and will continue to be, one that
politicizes the gangster mentality. This is where you will find the most
dedicated comrades, and, because they are respected they find themselves
in a position to make real changes that erase that divide among
different gangs and further our struggle in the right direction. It is
about learning and teaching about our minor contradictions and working
to overcome these minor obstacles.
In ULK 67, USW 11 wrote about how the
state
of Washington is doing whatever it can to depoliticize prisoners,
and how among those places where you find the gangster mentality is
where you find the most resistance against the state.(1) When L.O.s
understand the power they have working collectively, things begin to
change and form. After all, gangs are in contrast with the
individualistic mentality in the United $tates, and are a response to
the socio-economic conditions we face in and out of prison. It’s a way
to survive, in a place where the capitalist and oppressive system
emphasizes individualism.