What You Can Avoid

[DISCLAIMER]

Since Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States (U.S.), I’ve heard a lot of sociopolitical commentators, legacy media personnel, political pundits, and social media content creators opining about gangs—groups of persons working to unlawful or antisocial ends.

Within my blog, I’ve kept no secret of the fact that I once befriended gangbangers. Rather than becoming a validated gang member, I chose another path for my life by joining the U.S. Marine Corps, which met the informal definition of a gang—a group of persons working together.

I highlight this distinction regarding “gang” definitions, because I realize that so many people seem to use this term according to whatever narrative fits their own bias, like use of the word terrorist—an advocate or practitioner of terrorism (system use of terror) as a means of coercion.

Even the term “terrorism” is widely misappropriated. For instance, when I entered the Corps in 1996, the U.S. State Department (DoS) defined terrorism thusly:

The term “terrorism” means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.

Back then, terrorism had a distinct political specifier. Now, in 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) defines terrorism thusly:

·  International terrorism: Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups who are inspired by, or associated with, designated foreign terrorist organizations or nations (state-sponsored)

·  Domestic terrorism: Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature

One imagines that these definitions are intentionally obtuse. Whereas the DoS clearly indicated that “politically motivated” violence was essential in its cited definition, the DoJ mere uses the verbiage of “such as” to indicate an example of a “political” qualifier, not the requirement.

In other words, terrorism no longer pertains solely to politically motivated causes. Arguably, this is how President Trump has been able to classify certain gangs as “terrorists.” In particular, one Trump executive order pertaining to this matter states:

Other transnational organizations, such as Tren de Aragua (TdA) and La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) pose similar threats to the United States. Their campaigns of violence and terror in the United States and internationally are extraordinarily violent, vicious, and similarly threaten the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere […]

The Cartels and other transnational organizations, such as TdA and MS-13, operate both within and outside the United States. They present an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. I hereby declare a national emergency, under IEEPA [International Emergency Economic Powers Act], to deal with those threats.

Before I proceed any further, given that that colloquial definition of a terrorist relates to “an advocate or practitioner of terrorism,” allow me to issue a distinct disclaimer. The carnales I befriend in my youth, validated members of street gangs, weren’t associated with TdA or MS-13.

Furthermore, I disavow the actions associated with any gang or terrorist alluded to or directly referenced herein. While I view individuals comprising these entities as merely fallible human beings who’ve made poor decisions in life, I’m not advocating or practicing terrorism herein.

One wonders why this disclaimer is necessary, as relatively five minutes ago people who were associated with Jan 6th were ostensibly labeled by the DoJ as “terrorists.” Now that supporters of Trump have a favorable party in power, many of them are quick to allege terrorism elsewhere.

But that’s different, right? Some of you are favored by the current in- versus out-group, correct? It’s therefore somehow acceptable to alter the definition of “terrorist” to include gang members, as long as you’re no longer under the watchful eye of the government, right? Bullshit!

One imagines that those who participated in the Jan 6th protests, pockets of which became violent, could’ve avoided oppressive acts of the government if only such people would’ve made healthier choices. (For full disclosure, I supported Trump’s pardon of Jan 6th participants.)

Likewise, it may be stated that members of TdA, MS-13, and the gangs with which my carnales were associated could’ve made better choices. While I can’t speak for those entities with whom I’ve never been personally familiar, I can discuss the gang members with whom I was friendly.

When reflecting upon this matter, I’m reminded of something I heard on rapper and singer K Camp’s joint IDT – The Mixtape (2014). Featuring rapper and singer Cyhi the Prynce, the track “Think About It” contains a line by the latter which states:

I’m riding with a gun, I’m paranoid

‘Cause when you in the streets, death and jail is two things that you can’t avoid

Man, this shit don’t happen overnight

Through the lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I recognize Cyhi the Prynce’s admission as relating to an effective belief that better serves one’s interests and goals than does its opposite, an irrational belief. These matters relate to the ABC model and self-disturbance.

For instance, with rare exceptions, most of my carnales were impacted by poverty (Action). Regarding this undesirable circumstance, most of them unfavorably Believed that they had to clique up with a gang in order to improve their conditions (Consequence).

With this unproductive belief-consequence connection, my former friends joined a cliqua. This nonadaptive behavior was directly caused by their unaccommodating assumptions. Again, there were exclusions to this self-disturbed predicate to joining a gang.

Some members came from families wherein legacy gang ties placed irrational expectations on younger generations to carry the mantle of gangbanging relatives. Others joined out of fear or coercion, as a matter of protection from other gangs.

Anomalies aside, the majority of my friends who were involved with gangs chose their paths. When telling oneself that “shit don’t happen overnight,” the distorted inference is that relief must come quicker. Thus, money made from gangbanging activities is a means to an end for poverty.

All the same, as Cyhi the Prynce aptly stated, “when you[’re] in the streets, death and jail [are] two things that you can’t avoid.” Ergo, “I’m riding with a gun, I’m paranoid” is a personal narrative that one may experience when caught up in the gang life.

After all, other people also experience poverty and may see you as their means to an end. Staying strapped while paranoid, all while trying to avoid death and jail, is a likely outcome for a gangsta. Is that the life that you genuinely want? If not, what can you avoid?

Asking this disputing question is where a life away from gangs begins – whether initially or subsequently. Helpfully, I encourage critical thinking of this sort. Ultimately, I was able to ask this question of myself, which contributed to my decision to join the Corps instead of gangs.

Now that the Trump administration is classifying gangs as terrorists, it may be time for domestically-grown gang members to rethink their life choices. Apparently, President Trump and his acolytes have forgotten how relatively five minutes ago they were viewed as terrorists.

Nonetheless, you don’t have to fall into that trap. Use of REBT techniques may be precisely what you need in order to begin a life free from gang ties. If you’d like to know more, before government reclassification ensnares you, I look forward to helping you choose a healthier path.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit (edited), fair use

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