As a seafood lover, I used to enjoy eating delicious crab legs dipped in butter. However, I learned at a young age to avoid using the word “crab” around members of the Crips gang. Saying crab to Crips can provoke a violent reaction, so I want to explain the complex history behind this word and why uttering it can be dangerous.
The Meaning of “Crab” to Crips
For Crips, the term “crab” is a derogatory racial slur used by their rival gang, the Bloods. By calling them crabs, the Bloods are essentially labeling the Crips as inferior cowards compared to the Bloods. Understandably, no Crip wants to hear this insult.
The Origins of the Crips vs Bloods Rivalry
The Crips and Bloods are infamous for their violent rivalry originating in the 1970s. The Bloods initially formed to protect themselves from the more established Crips. As both gangs grew, competition over territory and drug sales intensified their feud.
Insulting each other became a way for Crips and Bloods to show their loyalty and intimidate rivals. This context gives insight into why the Bloods began using “crab” to antagonize the Crips.
The Meaning Behind the Acronym “Crab”
Most people don’t realize “crab” is an acronym used by Bloods as a disrespectful jab at Crips It stands for
- C – Cowards
- R – Retarded
- A – Against
- B – Bloods
By calling Crips “crabs,” the Bloods are labeling them as mentally deficient cowards against the Bloods – obviously inflammatory language.
Dangers of Using “Crab” Around Crips
Now that you understand the meaning behind “crab,” let’s discuss the immense dangers of using this word around Crips:
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It equates to a direct insult and disrespect towards Crips. Even unintentionally, it implies contempt.
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Crips may see it as a challenge or provocation from Bloods, igniting violence.
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It could lead Crips to think you’re a Blood, making you a target.
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At minimum, “crab” may label you an enemy. At worst, it could cost your safety or life.
There are cases of Crips severely injuring or killing people for saying “crab,” so take this seriously.
When Use of “Crab” May Be Okay
Given the violent associations with “crab” in gang culture, should the word always be avoided?
It depends on the context. Around Crips, never use “crab” for the reasons above. But in everyday conversations with friends or family, “crab” is fine when simply discussing eating crab cakes or going crabbing. Just be very cautious around Crips, as they find it extremely disrespectful.
Tips for Staying Safe Around Gangs
Learning why you should never say “crab” to Crips is vital for avoiding danger around gangs. Here are some additional tips:
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Avoid language, signs, colors linked to rival gangs.
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Don’t wear sports team logos, as they may have gang ties.
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Speak respectfully and don’t antagonize suspected gang members.
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Don’t assume individuals are in gangs.
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Walk/drive away quickly if feeling unsafe around gangs.
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Report serious gang activity concerns to law enforcement.
The Key Takeaway
I had no idea an innocuous word like “crab” could provoke violent Crips retaliation until researching this topic extensively. It demonstrates the deep animosity between certain gangs like Bloods and Crips.
Hopefully this article provided perspective on why “crab” should be avoided around Crips. Staying informed about gang culture dynamics is invaluable for avoiding dangerous confrontations. And next time you eat tasty crab legs, use a different word to describe them!
Expert’s Opinion[]
Although the Bloods have an advantage in training and in close quarters with their baseball bats and glocks, these were the only advantage that they have. The Waray-Warays took everything else from automatic weapons, tactics and experience. They were more aggressive and crafty hence why they won.
“Hey, John! John, wake up!” Nelson says to him. “Huh?” John asks them as he wakes up. “Were approaching the bank, like you said we would?” He tells John. “Right, right.” he says remembering. They all get out of the car. “Hey, whats wrong with the bank?” Floyd asks as he points at the US Bank Logo. “I dunno. A banks a bank.” Clark replies. They enter the bank. One of the security guards ask “Whats with the suit?” he asks Nelson.
He takes out his Thompson and knocks the guard out. “Everyone on the ground, now!” Floyd says. “Open up the safe!” John demands. He points his gun at the owner. “Alright, alright.” he says he gets his keys. He looks down at the keys and walks over to the door to unlock it.
He slides the key in and unlocks the door. “Get the bags, were in the safe!” John says smiling. Nelson goes outside to get the bags from the back of the car. He came back in and gave both John and Clark bags. They knocked the owner out and took the keys. They unlock every safe and take the money in each one. They put it in the bags and start to walk out the front door. They notice that their vehicle has been destroyed by the police. “Oh, sh*t! Its the police!” Floyd says. “Lets kill some cops!” Nelson says eagerly.
They take out their guns and opens fire on them. “Alright, we move into that neighborhood over to our right.” John says as he fires on to the police. They all start running and gunning over to the side to escape the cops. They start walking through an alley way with the bags on their backs. “Look over there!” Clark says to them. “Yo what up, brother!” An African American in red says to to another one wearing the same colors. They grab each others hands, start to embrace, and pat each others back. “Please, get out of our way.” Floyd asks them. “What did you say to me?” the man asks Floyd. “Get out of the way.” Floyd replies.
“Say that to me again!” the man demands as he pulls out his Colt and turns it to the side. (1,2,3,4,5) and (1,2,3,4,5). “Get… out…. of…. the…. way!” Floyd says to him as he pulls out his Colt. He points at the head and pulls the trigger. (1,2,3,4,5) and (1,2,3,4). “You killed my brother, you motherf**king piece of sh*t!” the other one says angrily. He takes out his Colt and starts shooting at Floyd.
(1, 2, 3, 4) and (1,2, 3, 4). A couple of gunshots are heard from behind and the man falls to the ground, dead. (1, 2, 3, 4) and (1, 2, 3). A man walks between them seeing that there are multiple bullet holes in the torso. “Hello, John.” the man says to him. “Harry? Harry “Pete” Pierpoint?” John asks. “Yeah, thats me.” He replies happily. “These Negros killed Floyd.” John says as he points his pistol at the two dead bodies. “How about, we kill some more!” Harry says eagerly as he puts his B.A.R on his shoulder.
3 more red “Negros” come in from the end of the alleyway. Pointing their AK-47s at the group and opening fire on them. Everyone but Harry, take out their Thompsons and fire back. One of the Bloodz run out of cover and starts charging at them. Nelson spots him while he was shooting and points the barrel of his gun at him. (1, 2, 3,4) and (1 & 2). “Eat this, C*cksuckers!” One of them say as they throw a Pipebomb. They look at it and here a beeping. “Get the f**k away! Harry exclaims. Harry goes up to pick it up and throw it back but, it explodes in the process. (1, 2, 3) and (1 & 2). Clark throws his M1 Frag Grenade to have the Bloodz come out of hiding. “Oh Sh*t! Get out of the way!” One of them say as the both move out of cover.
Each side opens fire but only one side remains. (1, 2, 3) and (1). “You look like Johnny Depp.” the last Blood says. “Who?” John says as he pulls the trigger on his Colt. (1, 2, 3).
Winner: John Dillinger
OriginUnited States of America
“ | Ash to ash, dust to dust, bloods I trust; Crabs we bust, kill a crab, win a prize; Kill a blood your whole family dies. — Bloods motto | ” |
The Bloods are a street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips, and are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs. Various sub-groups known as “sets” makes up the whole gang, with significant differences such as colors, clothing, and operations, and political ideas which may be in open conflict with each other. Since their creation, the Blood gangs have branched out throughout the United States, and in later years similar “Bloods” gang who may or may not be associated with the gang exist outside of America.
The origins of the Bloods can be traced back, oddly enough, to the creation of their archrivals the Crips. The latter gang started terorizing South Los Angeles in the 70s-80s, attacking and robbing people in a tradition they called “Cripping”. In Piru Street, a group of disguntled Black youths and smaller gangs banded together to fight back against the Crips, creating the first set of the now famous Bloods gang. The formation of this new gang led to decades of gang warfare against the Crips, and later Latino gangs who rose to power in the 2000s.
What made the Bloods distinct compared to the Crips was their more centralized and “family-oriented” characteristics (the term “Blood” actually meant “Family” in African-American slang at the time). Unlike the Crips who were made up of separate, independent, and often warring sets, the Bloods prided themselves to being more organized (although in-fighting between the Bloods also exist). They are also one of the few gangs who have a documented presence in the U.S. Military, and many of these gangsters had military training. Family orientation and noble origins aside, the Bloods also proved to be more brutal than all African-American gangs, and they were the forefront of some of the deadliest gangland shootings, such as the 54th Street Massacre in 1984 and the Halloween Massacre in 1993, in which innocent black children were killed. They were also present during the deadly Los Angeles Uprising in 1992.
Besides being a street gang and an organized crime group, the Bloods also earn money from their lucrative hip-hop musical industry. Indeed, the Bloods have quite the influence on what would become modern day hip hop. Although not an official Bloods member, one of the greatest rappers of all time Tupac Shakur, was highly associated with the gang.
It a small insignificant highway in the middle of downtown, five members of the Bloods can be seen chilling in a parking bench. In full view of the pedestrians and neutrals walking by, they happily smoked their joints and weeds without much care in the world. They were supposed to be looking for a group of Filipino thugs by their OG. Huge amounts of money was going to be paid to them if they accomplished their mission, but after 4 hours of driving and searching the Bloods decided to fuck it and take a load off for a while.
They didnt know however, that their opponents were not as lazy and unmotivated. Waray-Waray gangsters were also hired by an unknown party to take out a group of African-American gangsters. They were also given permission to take whatever drugs or money they can scavenge from their kills, which would add more to what they were being paid for. This would help them send money to the poor families back in their province.
Inside a white van, four Waray-Waray gangsters stalked the place looking for the Bloods. The driver spotted a group of African-Americans in red who were sitting in a bench on the side of the street. Those fools… by wearing their colors they became easily distinguishable in this river of people. These African-Americans were right in the open, which made the job much easier. The Waray-Waray gangsters rolled by slowly on the road, carefully approaching the Bloods while preparing their weapons. One of the Bloods saw the van slowly approaching them and became uneasy, and he told the other Bloods to be vigilant.
As the van parked itself right in front of the bench, the Waray-Waray gangsters got out and unleashed hell with their M16 rifles and Tec-9s. The Bloods quickly pulled their guns the moment they saw them and they too fired back with their AK-47s and Remington shotguns. One Blood was riddled and cut completely in half with a barrage of rifle bullets to his stomach, while a Waray-Waray gangster got his head blown up with a shotgun. Screaming in rage, the Bloods continued to empty their magazines on the Waray-Waray gangsters. The resiliency of the Bloods proved too much for the Waray-Waray gangsters and they started to get back to the van. Quickly, they drove away as the gangsters continued to open fire. Another Waray-Waray gangster got clipped in the head as the van tried to escape, and the others had to chuck his body on the road to prevent any dead weight.
The Bloods also got into their SUV and gave chase, and a long running gun battle ensued. With their machine guns and pistols, the two sides continued to pour lead as they drove furiously on the road. The Bloods tried to fire their Glocks and Remingtons but they lacked the range in this firefight. The Waray-Waray gangsters had no problems though with their Tec-9s, and one Blood riding shotgun was hit with well-placed shots in his chest. The two sides continued to fire each other as they swerved through the traffic. They drifted around the corners and maneuvered through the cars in the highway. They were like in a Fast and Furious movie.
One Waray-Waray gangster at the back carefully aimed his M1911 at the Bloods SUV. He got a bullseye as his bullet hit a Bloods member at the backseat in the neck. “Blood!” The others cried as they lost another one of their brethren and they have had enough. As the driver continued driving and dodging bullets being fired upon them by the Waray-Waray gangsters, the other Blood moved to the passenger seat and started to break the windshield open. The moment the glass broke, fast-paced winds blasted the Bloods face, but it was worth it though as the Blood was now capable of using his AK-47. A burst form his rifle got a lucky direct hit as a bullet penetrated the back of the drivers head.
The remaining Waray-Waray gangster inside the car tried to take control of the van. As the Bloods watched, the van started to slow down. It made a turn to the right before stopping in an alleyway. Thinking that they have won, the Bloods got out of their SUVs and charged the van. The remaining Waray-Waray gangster, disoriented and fatigued, wobbled his way out of the vehicle. He was soon beset by the Bloods carrying baseball bats. He quickly drew his machete and managed to jam it at the neck of a Blood, killing him in a gory and bloody fountain of death. But a baseball bat then slammed itself on his jaw, tearing and loping it away. The remaining Blood poured all of his anger and strength as he bashed the head of the Waray-Waray gangster. The beating was so intense that his limbs were like broken twigs and nothing remained of his head besides a salsa of brain matter, eyes and skull fragments.
The Blood started to celebrate by raising his baseball bat in the air, but unknown to him there was another Waray-Waray gangster in the alleyway. It seemed that he has been there the whole time, and the van was supposed to lure the gangsters there so he can ambush them. Although the ferocity if these Africa-Americans created quite the casualties on his group, the remaining Waray-Waray gangster was still determined to finish the job for his fallen friends. The Blood stopped celebrating the moment he saw the Waray-Waray gangster in a balcony with an M16 aimed at his face. Before he can yell, his skull was soon shattered like a coconut as the Waray-Waray gangster emptied his whole magazine.
With the Bloods dead, the final Waray-Waray gangster spat at the formers corpse and yelled, “Mga yawa kamo!”
Winner: Waray-Waray Gang
Words you should never say to Crips or Bloods
FAQ
Why don’t Bloods like Crips?
The Bloods gang was formed initially to compete against the influence of the Crips in Los Angeles. The rivalry originated in the late 1960s when Raymond Washington and other Crips attacked Sylvester Scott and Benson Owens, two students at Centennial High School in Compton, California.
What is Crips short for?
For example, “Crip” has often been described as an acronym for “Community Revolution In Progress“, “Community Resources for Independent People” or even …
Why do Crips wear blue?
In an effort to distingush between the gang members, the Crips began wearing blue clothing or other items, while the Bloods became associated with red.
What is the opposite of a Crip?
The Bloods were formed to compete against the Crips. Their origins stem from a Piru street gang (initially a Crip set) who broke away during an internal gang war and allied with other smaller street gangs to form the present day Bloods.