Gangs in South Chicago

The Gangs

The Saints

They were a Mexican American gang that existed in South Chicago in the 1960’s. At that time they would have bands playing at the South Chicago YMCA at Union Hall in South Chicago. They wore black leather coats and sharkskin pants.

The Royal Knights

They were a Puerto Rican gang that hung around 88th and Commercial Avenue. Absolutely all of the members were Puerto Rican. They did not hang out with any other culture group other than their own kind. They wore black sweaters with the letters R/K.

The South Deering Boys

They were a Mexican and Caucasian gang that hung out in Trumbull Park in the neighborhood called South Deering. They wore black Levis with white tee shirts and a blue tanker jacket with brown work boots.

The Mojo Knights

They were a primarily Mexican-American gang with a few of its member being Caucasian and Hispanic. They hung out around 86th Commercial Avenue. They wore blue jeans with white t-shirts and usually had jackets with their gangs name imprinted on them. They would often all wear Zoot Suits when a special event was held. 

Many of these gangs attended the same public High School which was called Bowen High School which was located on 93rd Street and Houston Avenue. This school was named after James H. Bowen who was considered to be the “father of South Chicago”.

There were twelve simple questions for each interviewee. These were:

• How did the gang start or how did you join?
• Why did you choose to join this gang?
• What kind of moral support did the gang provide for you?
• Where did your gang meet?
• What ethnicities were in your gang?
• Where there ever any fights or argument with opposing gangs?

If yes… which ones? If not… how come? 

• What did your particular gang wear? Colors?
• Was your gang territorial or were they peaceful?
• Did your gang help put the community in any way, shape, or form?

             If so What?

• Did you have a leader role in the gang?
• How do you feel about gangs today?
• Was it worth it?   

These questions were often formulated to other responses and follow up questions. I will not give the interviewees answer but simple put it together to fit a personal story. There were many things that I will not mention due to the privacy and well being of the interviewee.