when i first read this article i was a little confused on why a man would put himself through such torture. after out class discusion on the ohter hand i realized that it does happen a lot her in America. i used to be baby sat by a girl who was in a gang and i remember her showing me the signs they had and the way they had to wear certain things and i asked her once how she got into the gang and she would always tell me that it was better that i didnt know. she would also come over with new things that they would all give to her. she would have a new gift all the time. and i also learned that she was dating the leader of the gang because she had to for a while.after learning about how some females are initiated into gangs i hope that that wasnt the way she had to goin. i also remember her coming over with tons of bruises on her face and hands and she would tell me about all the fights that she had gotten into. She would always talk about how much she liked it though. she thought she felt a part of something and that they needed her like she needed them. people respected her. in the story this is portrayed also. when the boy get beaten and goes back to his family they all have this new respect for him along with the community and friends. they know that after going threw all of that he is a man is ready for leadership positions. in the mob, one of the most common ways to be accepted is to do a hit for the leader of the mob, he needs somebody killed and you want to be a part of the mob, then you have to do the hit. if you do then your in, if not your out and most of the time they kill you for knowing too much or just that you know who they are going to kill and dont want any leaks. mobs and gangs, to me, are just like the palestinian intifada. some people want to be accepted, in the palestine, they want respect.