(The video's intro plays.)
This is Rodolfo, a member of a gang called "Golden Palms" and is located at a poor neighborhood income in East LS.
Rodolfo explains that it was not easy growing up and deals with the same problems today.
(The video focuses on Rodolfo, and is being allowed to tell his story about part of his life.)
Rodolfo:I've been in the gang for about maybe a year already, I've seen shit most people haven't you know.
When I was a kid, I'd like to play soccer and shit like that, but it wasn't fun without any friends to hang with.
Till I found these guys, I didn't have to look for anybody 'cause these guys are like my family.
They're loyal to me.They need me to go down the street and murk a fuckin' vago?
I'll fuckin' do it, 'cause Golden Palms is my family.
Nobody fucks with us, we already had fights with El'Corona, Colinas, and Verona Beach.Any other motherfuckers who wanna look for beef, they can get dropped too.It's our neighborhood, no matter what a fuckin' vago say, they be down the block and shit but we ain't give a fuck.Them perros can come to me if they got a problem.
(The video focuses on Rodolfo, and is being allowed to tell his story about part of his life.)
Rodolfo:Yeah, I carry this piece at all times just in-case any motherfuckers come through here.You never know when somebody is gonna try to get you.I'm serious.Everyday I'm looking over my shoulder.Maybe a couple of times I've been hit.
(Video shows Rodolfo's scars from gun shots, then continues to another member of the gang.)
This is Shadow, an outsider of the gang but has proven to the others members he is capable of committing criminal acts.
Shadow: Why do they call me Shadow?It was given to me by a homeboy named Jese, it was his nickname when he was my age but it got passed down to me.I like to go from neighborhood to neighborhood and represent my click by our graffiti.Golden Palms gang, por vida.That's how it goes down here.When I see somebody from the east side and throw up his hood, I ain't scared to bust at 'em.I shot people before, been through Juvenile Hall and boys homes.It's worth killing somebody and doing the time 'cause then you prove your loyalty out here.I do whatever I can for my gang.Any other buster who ain't do so ain't as real as us.
This is Lokote, a high ranking member of the gang who has agreed to be interviewed.
Lokote:I recently tried to get a job, and try to get out of the gang life for my baby girl, she's like three months right now and I don't think this life will really pay for College.I been shot at, been through jail, and have been in this gang for four years.Commitment is deep for me, but I'm trying to commit to quit the gang.I used to move ounces of Cocaine throughout the neighborhood to bring more money in the hood but that's one of the reasons why I was locked up.I've had my --had my family and friends killed just 'cause of a drive by took place.All the pee wees look up to me, thinking I will look after them like a father.This gang takes over your whole life, sometimes this shit ain't worth it.The next place you'll see me is dead or locked up.That's how it go for everybody.I really hope I see the future and put my girl through school.