James Diego Vigil

A closer look into the reality of life in an East Los Angeles housing project where gangs have a longstanding presence.

Drawing on many years of experience in the barrios as a youth worker, high school teacher, and researcher, Vigil examines the complex factors that give birth and persistence to gangs.

This cross-cultural study of Los Angeles gangs identifies the social and economic factors that lead to gang membership and underscores their commonality across four ethnic groups--Chicano, African American, Vietnamese, and Salvadorian.