Knowing Hate: Towards an Interpretation of the Salvadoran Gangs Narrative

Abstract

This article presents the partial findings of research done between 2007 and 201 2, with the objective of understanding how the gangs or maras Salvatrucha and 1 8st interact with the salvadoran society. To achieve this we put forward an explanation about the origins of the dichotomic confrontation experienced within the gangs, making use of interpretations of three people's childhood stories, that belong to the same generation of salvadorans affected by the Civil War (1980-1992). Our hope is that the analysis shows the forms in which the social collective's historical realities impact and mold their subjectivity.