Gangbanging had been a destructive force in Los Angeles County for nearly thirty years, and resulted in the murders of thousands of Black and Hispanic males. As the millennium approached, gang wars between Bloods, Crips, and different Crip factions continued to harm the Black community. Violent crime resulted in the forced removal of Black males from the Black community through murder and incarceration. And despite the negativity caused by gangbanging, Black youth continued to enter that lifestyle.Antoine Edwards was raised in the City of Hawthorne, which was one of 88 cities in Los Angeles County. He never knew his father, and his mother was addicted to crack cocaine. His grandmother raised him, and although she wanted the best for him, her plan was unable to compete with the negativity that surrounded them.Before Antoine became a teenager, he joined the local street gang. The influence of the older members of the gang turned him into an adolescent robber and killer. He embodied the gangster lifestyle and sought to be a successful gangbanger instead of a productive, law-abiding member of society. Antoine cared little about the harm his actions caused his people and community. But he was eventually forced to suffer the consequences of his actions, and when that occurred, it was too late for his life to be redeemed.
About the Author: Jeron was born and raised in Los Angeles County, California. Throughout his childhood he witnessed, endured, and persevered through many negative things. They included bullying, racial profiling, and being surrounded by criminal activity as some of the people he grew up with went to prison, and others were murdered. However, he did not succumb to the negativity, and always performed well in school. Writing teachers took an interest in him, while complimenting and nurturing his work. Upon graduating from high school, Jeron attended the University of Southern California. It was there that his ability to write was strengthened. After graduating, Jeron experienced trouble securing employment due to a bad economy. He then decided to focus on his writing, which led to the creation and completion of his first novel, The Corrupting of the Redeemer, and later The Making of a Gangster. It is Jeron's hope that he will be able to enlighten the world with his experiences and wisdom.