are you a gang member ?

i dont live in florida but i heard abt a new law being passed that defines people as gang members by minimal association. the law, HB 536 goes into effect october first. that being said after that date, you are a gang member if you...

- dress like one

-rep it online or in person

-is identified as one by spouse, parents, family, informant, member etc.

- "gang related" slang

- seen w/ active member 2x

idk, i read the bill and it seems.... unclear w/ an ulterior motive.

bandanas, baggy clothes, grills, air forces are maybe less than .5% of fashion that was seen as gang affiliated. now its known as cool "street wear" or 90's/2000's 

i think especially in this day and age people are very loose with what they say and tend to adopt new ways of expression and we all know slang isnt literal, yes? but under this law that loose language, maybe being "on blood", "on gang" "on bro" or literally just "bocolate bick bookies" could call for LEGAL repercussions .

as for being identified as one by other people.... i mean okay, IF there is concrete evidence and there is processes to be identified as a gang member by the law then yes i'd agree with it BUT simply being called one can place you on a watchlist. my mother says i dress like one and my friends look like members....? the fact that ONE of these laws built on SAND could disrupt you life is unsettling.

(minimum for being convicted of breaking one of these laws is a year in prison)

dude. the slang part - and maybe im too woke - but i feel like thats specifically made to target AAVE and the black community. dont quote me tho and as fast as AAVE spreads, either theyre not gonna fully enforce that law or theyre only gonna care when certain people use it

i also just feel like the last one is stupid. gang members can have friends & family that arent also gang members idk i thought that was common sense.   

thank you for reading :)