Jesus and the Gang

174 Pages·2011·1.156 MB·English

by  Project Muse.;Wolseth, Jon

JESUS AND THE GANG

J E S U S
AND THE

G A N G

YOUTH VIOLENCE AND CHRISTIANITY
IN URBAN HONDURAS
JON WOLSETH
The University of Arizona Press Tucson
The University of Arizona Press
© 2011 The Arizona Board of Regents
All rights reserved
www.uapress.arizona.edu
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wolseth, Jon, 1975–
Jesus and the gang : youth violence and Christianity in urban
Honduras / Jon Wolseth.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8165-2908-7 (cloth : alk. paper)
1. Youth and violence—Honduras—Case studies.
2. Gangs—Honduras—Case studies. 3. Youth—Religious
life—Honduras—Case studies. 4. Church and social
problems—Honduras—Case studies. I. Title.
HQ799.2.V56W65 2011
303.60835(cid:2)097283–dc22 2010033682
Manufactured in the United States of America on acid-free,
archival-quality paper containing a minimum of
30% post-consumer waste and processed chlorine free.
16 15 14 13 12 11 6 5 4 3 2 1
For my parents, Gary and Sharon Wolseth

Contents
List of Illustrations ix
Acknowledgments xi
1 Youth and the Politics of Violence in Honduras: The Murder
of El Títere 1
2 Contesting Neighborhood Space in Colonia Belén 27
3 Thick as Blood: Street Ties, Gang Tattoos, and Graffi ti 50
4 The Making of Community and the Work of Faith 72
5 Finding Sanctuary: Youth Violence and Pentecostalism 102
Conclusion: Taking on Violence 129
Appendix of Names 139
Notes 143
References 145
Index 153

Illustrations
1. Young men hanging out in front of a pulpería 20
2. Bridge, ravine, and Catholic church in Colonia Belén 28
3. Gang graffi ti with gang members’ nicknames 41
4. Second station of the cross for Good Friday procession 44
5. A young man getting his tattoos removed 63
6. Tombstone graffi ti of the 18th Street Gang 68
7. Calling members to a Pentecostal church service 103