Salvaging the Gangster Archetype

Editor’s Note: “I am just doing my job”, and “ I did not make the rules”, is a clear message that ones desires greatly overpower their moral belief system. Just like MLK said, disobey the unjust laws, similarly, corrupt and immoral instructions should be retaliated against.

As I believe in utilizing the personal interest of my students, lately in my English lessons, we are talking about violence, murder, crime, and gangsters. This student of mine is interested in Gangsters. It is understandable; he is a curious teenager with rushing hormones, and gangsters are romanticized in Movies, TV shows, novels, etc. But what is it exactly? What is so appealing about violent men? Is it the cash and the lavish lifestyle? Maybe the thrill of close calls and living on the edge. It is cool to be flirting with death and risking everything in the process. Or perhaps it is the fantasy of indulging in vices but not being destroyed by them? This is just entertainment, and to someone who does not know the world much, shit can look like chocolate. I want to salvage the core of this archetype from flashy symptoms.

What is the difference between a for-profit criminal and a real gangster? The purpose behind their ruthless drives.

The ability to turn tables, to risk everything for change, and to inspire action in others. This power comes with moral authority and is the romantic essence of the gangster spirit. Violence isn’t just physical and not always evil. At times when nonsense and injustice dominate society, violence is the exact thing needed to change the status quo. A true gangster, therefore, is a spiritual gangster. Passion for THE Truth is what drives him fearlessly. An individual aligned with his Truth is comforted by it and can smile at the worst odds. Well, narcissistic criminals are also self-righteous. So, what am I professing?

- Socrates, when falsely accused and threatened with death by poison, defiantly insisted on his Truth. Instead of fleeing the city as the authorities expected, he grabbed that cup of Hemlock. By poetically embracing death, Socrates taught us the love of fate, and not to fear doom.

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- You do not need to be a church-going Christian to appreciate the beauty of Jesus Christ. A being so connected to THE Truth, and courageous in his pursuit of it, that human limitations did not stop his message. Jesus’ character is a golden example.

- British colonials were notorious for their torturous treatment of even the peaceful Indian freedom fighters. So hit-n-run, guerrilla tactics, evade capture, and cat-and-mouse games became the norm. But when Gandhi learned that an arrest warrant was out for him, he went and turned himself in. Inspired by his courage, people united in unprecedented numbers. Soon Gandhi’s hunger strike was international news, and the colonials could not touch him. For the British, Gandhi’s non-violence was very violent. They were used to physical violence and did not know how to handle Gandhi’s violent logic.

- In the movie Matrix, Neo risked the whole ‘Saviour of humanity’ mission, just for a thin chance to save his beloved Trinity. By choosing radical love, he broke the repetitive cycle of programming that enslaved his predecessors to duty and fear. Isn’t this what makes us humans? Choosing Love and Truth over our economics, safety, and control?

‘I am just doing my job’, and ‘I did not make the rules’, are the attitudes through which genocides and other horrors of mass scale are carried out. Some people are so obedient to their ruling authority, ideas, and groups that they do not question if they are serving God or the Devil. The balls to speak, walk, and stand by your Truth is what makes a Gangster. And I have seen some beautiful women with bigger balls (Spiritual balls) than most men.

Being a gangster means valuing the real over the fake.

Remaining calm, and solution-focused when everything around you is falling apart. The power of Sunlight over lying sunscreens. A teenager who seeks wisdom in old people and provides them company. A business that prioritizes the customer’s health over monetary profit. Rough, handcrafted gifts over generic trinkets. A kid savoring real fruit and dates over flavored candy. Befriending your demons instead of ‘curing’ them. Building mobility and functional strength over superficial muscle mass. Walking barefoot on the grass. Forgiving, believing, giving, and loving. Monogamy over ‘spreading the seed’ mentality. A smart, confident, mature, dependable woman, who can lead, and isn't just sex appeal. A gal who can sprint and slap delusions out of you. Freshly squeezed lemonade instead of sugary soda. Supporting local businesses and products over fast food chains who serve whatever makes them a profit. Recognizing the care behind authentic anger rather than falling for fake smiles. Today, this is Gangsta…

https://w4td.substack.com/p/salvaging-the-gangster-archetype