HBO: Bastards of the Party
 

I just got back from a screening of a new documentary that will begin airing on HBO beginning next Tuesday. A very good friend (and neighbor) put over 10 years into this passion project and the results were very powerful.

The documentary chronicles the creation of Los Angeles gangs beginning in the 1940's and includes the formation of the Crips and Bloods in the early 1970's. It also shows how gang violence grew to excess in South Central during the 1980's. This is all documented and seen through the eyes of Cleo "Bone" Sloan, a former member of the Bloods.

The Q&A after the film with Bone was very inspiring and there are many, many people working hard to educate the young "'bangers" in hopes of changing the gang culture.

I highly recommend it. It's very educational, especially to a white kid from Kansas.

I saw a teaser for this on HBO a few days ago...I should probably set the Tivo for it. It sounds like an important program....

One question, how much did they discuss the "War on Drugs" and its impact on the gang violence of the 80's?

The documentary does discuss the "War on Drugs" and it's a very interesting perspective, at least as from what I've been led to believe about it. But rather than me give a half-assed synopsis, it's probably best to watch the program.

The documentary's only about 90 minutes long and from my perspective, at no point does it become "preachy". As a matter of fact, during the Q&A, Bone suggested that the churches in South Central (which from what he said, are going up all over at a cost of around $4 million each) and their "high profile" preachers aren't doing enough (if anything) to curb gang violence in the area. That was very unexpected, at least to me.

FWIW, the number of young kids (former 'bangers) in wheelchairs at the screening was very sobering.

I apologize for the "bump", but did anyone watch? Comments?

Crap, I am just reading this thread. I would have liked to watch that. Do you know off the top of your head if it will be back on HBO HD anytime soon? I will set my DVR :)

Edit - NM I was not at home. I got it set up on DVR.

I thought it was okay. It held my attention most of the time. It does a good job of explaining where these gangs came from and what the original intent of the gangs were and why they've ultimately degenerated into a self-destructive criminal enterprise.

Didn't hold my interest....

Watched it last night. Had no idea about the evolution of the Bloods and the Crips, and I found it enlightening.

I watched it and was glued to the TV. It was vry interesting, and very sobering.
You were right about the interesting angle as far as the "War on Drugs," but I was most shocked by the ties to the Iran Contra thing.
I really liked "Bone's" solutions, though. Very workable things (but at the same time unlikely) that would have an effect on the deal.

I thought it was a great doc. I'd like to watch it again.

Plus, now I like Training Day better since the guy in the neighborhood was an actual gangster.