1) Did you know that there are specific tactics taught in gangs to manipulate and recruit new members? Some of the tactics used ( but not limited to these) are: speak to the victim’s emotions, provide simple, absolute answers, create a sense of urgency, rely on peer pressure to overcome doubts, keep your victim’s hooked on the idea, and cultivate an “us” vs. them mindset.
2) Do you recognize any of this traits in the relationship between Juan and Angel? In the relationship between Angel and Little Man?
3) What do you think Angel chooses to do at the end? If he chooses to protect Juan, what are the consequences for himself and his family? If he chooses to give Juan up, what are the consequences for himself and his family?
4) Do Angel’s choices, (like giving Little Man the gun, which results in his murder) make Angel a “bad person”?
5) Is it possible for Angel to realize how he was manipulated? And how he was continuing the cycle by manipulating Little Man?
6) Is it possible to break the cycle of gangs? How could Angel have broken the cycle that he unwittingly got brought into?
7) If someone sees the manipulation they have lived through and realize they were not BORN a bad, evil person, but their path in life brought them to a bad place – do you think it is possible to change? Can that person redeem themselves?
8) Why would someone want to join a gang? What life experiences may lead someone to seek out gang membership? Why did Angel join the gang?
9) How are gangs harmful? Who is impacted by gangs and gang violence? What are some protective and risk factors to gang exposure?
10) What needs are often met by joining gangs? What are alternate ways to get those needs met?
11) Who are safe people in the community and does that change from community to community?
12) What are safe spaces in the community? Do those also change depending on the community in which you live?
13) How do people avoid gang affiliation? What alternatives do people have to joining a gang for support/community/protection?
14) How can someone safely leave a gang?
15) What part does culture play in gang violence? What about gender and gangs? How do we avoid romanticizing or glorifying gangs?
16) What things help build a sense of community? What builds hope for a community?