Book Review: Gang Leader for a Day

I read Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets by Sudhir Venkatesh a number of weeks ago. We found the book among others in a box in the alley. The best free book I have ever read. I had been meaning to read it for some reason or another and had actually checked it out from the library but never finished it. Finding it in the alley really pushed me to get through it.

That is not to say that it is a difficult book to get through, by any means. It is a non-fiction, subjective book on gang activity on the South-side of Chicago as told from the perspective of Venkatesh who was researching gang culture for his graduate thesis. But this book certainly tells you much more than just that.

It is hard to broach the subject of gang culture as a white, suburban raised woman without sounding naive or uppity, but I have only the best intentions as I really enjoyed this book. Considering gang tensions in Chicago, Venkatesh approaches the subject with levity, bringing the reader through his chance encounter and eventual friendship/relationship with a medium-level gang leader as casually as it might have happened.

The book describes the hierarchy and functions of the group with detail as well as how the gang fit into the neighborhood, which I can imagine was easy considering this was his main focus of study. He also focuses heavily on his own personal struggles and ethical dilemmas. As you later find out he was treading in very dangerous waters. This books seems almost like a personal extension of his work. It is surprising the amount of access he received as are the situations he tends to find himself in. It certainly begs the question of whether or not anyone really understands the class and racial divides and segregate us and whether or not we have the power the change any of it. I would like to think that we do but it must take a lot of cooperation and some brave soul willing to step up for the people who don't have a voice. Venkatesh touches only lightly on the subject, but it stuck with me throughout the whole of the book and long after.

The story as a whole is entertaining and enlightening. Having worked under stressful circumstances with difficult subjects, I can understand the emotional and physical fatigue of returning to a situation fraught with drama. I can also understand his fascination and need to go back. Sometimes people just stick with you and you find them popping up in your thoughts.

This was a really wonderful read that gave me a lot of insight into a side of Chicago that I am not exposed to.