From Fists To Guns; Sweetwater & June

The phenomenon of the urban gang (which is more and more becoming a problem of outlying areas as well) is addressed in the first of these two videos on the subject of gangs. From Fists to Guns is a filmed classroom lecture by counselor Sonny Pena, who addresses a group of Phoenix, AZ elementary school students on the history, structure, and future of gangs. Tracing the history of the "pachuchos," the Mexican-American gangs of the 1940s (whose members wore the famous "zoot suits"), Pena points out the similarities to modern gangs. Discussing the structure of gangs, the knowledgeable Pena draws a chilling and depressing portrait of the cycle, from becoming a "wannabe" as early as 9 years of age to a prospective gang member at the age of 12, to a criminal shortly thereafter, and so on. Those who don't die (the average age at death of Phoenix gang members is currently 17 years old) and manage to evade prison, are retired some 20 or 30 years later without fanfare or pensions. Often thieves or drug addicts or both, these "retirees" have no education, no work history, and little chance of fitting into society. While much of the information about initiation, drive-bys, and the possibility of leaving a gang once one has joined, is undoubtedly shared by many different gangs of different regions, From Fists to Guns is very clearly about Mexican-American gangs in the Phoenix area, and therefore--while very good and informative--is not a great choice for a general introduction to the subject of gangs.Sweetwater & June, on the other hand, is much more general but not nearly as informative. A mini-drama inspired by true events, the story follows the title characters, a pair of gang members who steal a car, exchange gunfire with a rival gang member, and are eventually caught and jailed. "June," a new offender without a record, is able to leave with his mother (and they are gunned down on the way home). "Sweetwater" goes to a counseling session, where he and another inmate named Hammer (played by writer/producer Peter Adams) get into a fight. Later in their respective cells, Hammer and Sweetwater have a mostly one-sided conversation as Hammer tells Sweetwater about the drawbacks of gang membership and the need for them to reroute their lives (there's a hint of religion here, too). While the performances are fine and the dialogue rings true, the dramatic pacing and structure of Sweetwater & June are primitive, resulting in a predictable "lesson." Still, if the program acts as a deterrent to kids who are thinking about joining gangs, then it's well worth the investment. Sweetwater & June is recommended. From Fists to Guns is also recommended, but with reservations due to its primarily regional appeal (and, since set up for classroom use, is not recommended for public libraries). (From Fists to Guns is available from: First Take Video, 911 E. Berridge Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85014; (602) 241-9654.) (Sweetwater & June is available from: Karol Video, P.O. Box 7600, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773-7600; (800) 526-4773.)