General Info
Full Name: Folk Nation;
Founded In: 1978;
Current Location: Chicago and other parts of the United States;
Allies: All members of the Folk Nation Alliance;
Rivals: All members of the People Nation Alliance;
The story of the Folk Nation begins in 1974, with the death of David Barksdale, leader of the recently formed Gangster Disciples Nation. Having then seized power, Larry Hoover called for a meeting with other local gang leaders, in an effort to strengthen the black presence in southern Chicago.
In 1978, an agreement among members of several Disciples gangs was reached. A new alliance, formally known as the Folk Nation, would be formed to lend aid to any group that struggled for survival within the city of Chicago. All gangs were bound to help each other with the protection of their neighborhoods and of their business interests.
Albeit officially fighting under the same banner, all members of the Folk Nation were to retain their independence, their colors, and their customs. Rivalries within the alliance would be ironed out through large meetings.
The 1980s
The 80s saw a rise in violence on the streets of Chicago, as both the Folk Nation and their main rivals, the People Nation, shed blood to solidify their positions within the city. Drug trafficking and other illicit activities also became more common and gave employment to a growing number of otherwise hopeless young African Americans.
The higher amount of guns that could be purchased also meant that killing would soon become the preferred form of punishment administered among gang-bangers. This heightened violence encouraged smaller gangs to join either of the two alliances, as both grew to incorporate hundreds of new members.
The council system was kept in place and used until most of the 1990s. These meetings, often held in prison, still attempted to maintain the peace and strengthen the bonds within the Folk Nation. Nevertheless, internal pressure exploded into several armed conflicts, often dragging the whole alliance along for a bloody ride.
The 1990s and Today
As more gangs ended up fighting each other, the fabric that made the Folk Nation slowly began to tear apart. Several groups, including the Black Gangsters, eventually dropped out of the alliance. These would either go their way as neutral gangs or join newborn groups in an attempt to preserve some of their former power. Hoover’s imprisonment also played a major role here.
Today, members of the Folk Nation still co-operate to control the city of Chicago. Although the group is not as strong as it once was, it can still count on several active gangs that are strategically scattered throughout the city.
Members of the Folk Nation specialize in drug trafficking, homicide, theft, burglary, and extortion, as well as several petty crimes.