records, employment. They
provide classes and education,
counselling, amongst other
things. But most importantly, they
give them kinship, hope and selfworth.
When they have this kind of
support and not repression, they
can give their children a chance
and break the cycle of violence.
Q8. How is President Donald
Trump handling this kind of
situation?
Is he moving gang members
to jails and saying, “Let’s forget
about it?” Or, is he is the type of
a person that listens to this kind of
thing? What is the psychology with
the government?
SB: I don’t think I need to answer
that question.
Q9. You tend to go into deep
conversations with gang
members which provides
some sort of therapy for them.
What kind of trust do you have
to have with them for them
to open up and let you take
pictures of them in order to tell
their story?
SB: The concept is interesting to
them, simple as that. Over time
they see that I am genuinely
interested in them and their
stories. I have no hidden agenda.
I take the images, do the
interview. I do not manipulate
what they say. I just transcribe it.
I did not know anything about
gang life before this project. I just
wanted an honest conversation.
The images have a shock factor
that helps drop and guards or
machismo. I think that is why
the interviews are so real and
emotional. The project has a very
humanizing effect, which what I
was hoping for.
Q10. What reactions have
come from the public about
your book? I have seen
you being broadcasted
on so many TV stations and
newspapers and all that kind
of thing.
I sat on this project for a year
before I released it. I thought
nobody would care. Then a friend
of mine who worked for CNN
asked if I would go a morning
show to talk about the project.
From there, it just exploded! The
response was overwhelmingly
positive, so many people were
moved and could relate to being
judged because of the way you
look, their tattoos, growing up in
difficult situations. The book has
since been taught in schools and
universities around America. Many
homeboys and girls reach out
to thank me, as well as regular
people. It has been amazing.
I have just received a grant to
hold a show in NYC and soon LA,
COVID has put the breaks on that
for the moment, but there are
many good things coming up. I
am about to continue the project
also.
July 2020
Polo De’Marco