I was an MS-13 gang member. Here's how I got out. | Gerardo Lopez | TEDxMileHigh
Vložit
- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- Gerardo Lopez grew up in gang territory in Los Angeles, California and was just 14 years old when he joined MS-13, the notorious Salvadorian gang. Why did he join and why did he leave? In this courageous talk, Gerardo reveals how we can help others get out and stay out of gangs. Gerardo "Clever" Lopez has worked in gang intervention for over two decades. Formerly of the notorious Los Angeles gang MS-13, Gerardo escaped gang life and now ensures that at-risk youth from making the same mistakes. He is Executive Director of the Denver chapter of Homies Unidos, a nonprofit dedicated to ending violence and promoting peace through gang intervention and prevention. Gerardo is an avid baseball fan waiting for the Dodgers to win the World Series, and the subject of the award-winning, short documentary CLEVER. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
"I got a degree in criminal justice", that gave me chills. Inspiring.
@jack ramirez how?
@jack ramirez lol
jack ramirez More gangster than you ever will tho
@jack ramirez and that's a bad thing because....
@jack ramirez you're missing the point, wether he comes off as or is a real ganster or not, you can tell he is way past that, his story will still be the same with the same meaning behind it as well, again wether he is or comes off as a real ganster or not.
his accent gets progressively more cholo throughout the video
deeeco this deserves more likes 😂
He talks about himself getting out of the gang but talks like a gangster 😂
@@bryantfg2072 thats how chicanos talk in general... it isnt just the gangsters ones lol
memories of being in the gang will do that. It's like he is reliving each moment as he speaks.
He also seems to get a lot more confident cause he starts off really slow and shaky and by the end that’s all gone
This guy was our head of security at my high school. He’s come a long way damn!
Rlly?
Ok and?
He seems like a really sweet guy tbh. Props for changing his life around and wanting to help other people.
@@melymichu6731 we are almost 5 billions on mother earth. 4.5 billions judge people by appearance....you are not on the right track for sure....
@@meme-bz6iw I would just like to say that there is actually about 7.6 billion people on earth, not 5 billion. that is all i wanted to say lol.
My husband was in the 26 gang in Chicago. Today he's an engineer, we have a son in college and he put me through my master's degree in social work. How did he get out? That kid that's now in college was born. He took one look at that baby boy and wanted to be better. My own father got took him under his wing and just like he expected his own kids to go and finish college, he expected that skinny hood boy to do the same. I am so proud of him, he attended IIT in Chicago and is a great father. He started a robotics club with my younger son. I kid with him and tell him, you're probably the only nerdy, ex-gagbanger dad in the world. :)
That's a blessing!
that's wonderful story- thank you for sharing! a "bad boy" turned good!. That means it was always in him to be better he just needed a purpose and no stronger and powerful bond than father and child. holding his child he held his purpose. congratulations to you for being by his side and reminding him everyday of his value. you are a strong woman on of the real ones!
That straightened me right out as well. Soon as I had my first child it was no longer about me anymore, it was about him. Never turned back.....and I am glad! My son did more for me than he will ever, ever know!
@@Pursuepeace0715 lol. It’s always nice to see one in a million. But that’s all it is.
@@fillyfingerz8425 God bless! You are a good man
I’m from El Salvador. The history of El Salvador is sad. This man speaks the truth. Great speaker
ur names wrong its mdma
There's even a 80s hair metal song about the children of ES.. to raise awareness
_ Cxvenyy think mdna is short for Madonna and he isn’t referring to happy crystals
Smv1312 your absolutely right
Same in Honduras. I just want to leave this country
Everybody talking about how MS-13 is gonna watch this video and track this guy down, they didn't even listen to what he had to say. Dude works as part of a gang intervention group, as the CEO. It's not like he was exactly hiding before this talk
It's because people live in fear
@@emekaamerican863 No, it is because they have a brain and live on intense realism. Doesn't matter if this guy is a CEO of some gang intervention sht. Jesus and Raul MS-13 members in other states or even the top boss in El Salvador might not know about this guy until they watch this video and might order a hit. This guy is a true more-on.
@@chlamydiayourdaddyishere He never said about being threatened if he left the gang. So it's extremely unlikely a hit would he ordered on him.
@Daniel Gosse "CZcams's foul word filter", e-diot. I don't take risks.
@@chlamydiayourdaddyishere MS 13 is not a large gang. lol. There are way scarier gangs. The scariest gangs are the ones on the other side of badge, fighting rival gangs with state authority.
My dad was murdered by 3 MS-13 gang members 22 years ago when I was 11. Glad he's using his past experiences to help younger generations.
😢
What neighborhood did you live in ?
Sorry for your loss. I agree it's good that he was able to overcome his past and police prejudice to help other kids.
You have a good heart, Josh.
That's says a lot about you Josh that you are able to wish the man in the video well. Maybe part of the program he talks about should include meeting family members of the people they murdered and telling them how the loss of their loved one has impacted their family.
"In US, gangster wears mask to hide face from police
In El Salvador police wear masks to hide face from gangsters"
Oi You're Referring Alan Moor's The Watchmen
That’s actually 200% true lmao 😂
In the world, people wear masks to hide from the Coronavirus
That's deep
😂😂😂
“If we want people to leave gangs and re-enter society, then that means we have to let them re-enter society.” That gave me chills.
Doesnt matter if ur in a gang or not. You're also slaves. And you're going to die by 2030. UNITED NATIONS AGENDA 21
That gave you chills..?
@@rudystraight1750 explain bruh
Traww 95 she just cold 🥶
@@rudystraight1750 lmao wtf does that have to do with anything? (I looked it up)
Key statement he made, when he got his first MS 13 tatoo he was excited the "love" he was getting from his gang. It's full of young people looking for love and acceptance.
where are the parents?
@@MrPerfect219 Sometimes parents can be the worst ppl in your life. (not mine but ppl I know)
@@bmerritt2433 fax essay, I’m a MS 13 member, l love my parents through.
That's what everyone wants in the love and acceptance and success in life.
@@MrPerfect219 there's allot of kids from good families that join gangs too.
I'm from El Salvador and I cried while listening to his speech because it brought me many memories back in the 90s about my 2 younger brothers. I am glad they survived, but they could be killed while in the gang in Houston. Thank God they are fine. My mother was praying for them 24/7. The gang was following my brother when he got out, but he started going to church and Jesus Christ saved him. I am so proud of you Gerardo. Sadly, there are still MS 13 and other gangs in my lovely El Salvador :(
wow PRAISE GOD MY FRIEND!!! Jesus is the only Way, and He gives true freedom. PRAISE GOD! He has such a big purpose and plan for your brothers, for you, and your family. To bring glory to the kingdom of God!!! Let me know how I can pray for you, Nery ❤️ God bless you guys with protection, peace, and healing.
Pray 🙏🏽
do you support La Sombra Negra?
Nayib Bukele is cleaning house in El Salvador 👍
Bukele put them in jail, he's building a mega prison just for them.
I get goosebumps hearing this man speak, and I was never in no gangs. Powerful!
When will Ted himself, show up to the talk?
*the final boss*
He’s probably smoking a joint (reference to the movie TED)
Overused joke.
i think he made a movie called ted were he talks it was pretty epic
*chants* TED TALK, TED TALK, TED TALK
He worked at my school last year as an Admin, pretty cool dude.
Kermit E. Frog I actually saw someone else who said that too! Cool
What school did he work at? Was it in DPS?
Adams City in Commerce City
as an admin? so he doesn't have a criminal background?
Charges were dismissed
The amount of pride he had talking about David made me cry.
No it didn't.
Bro, this guy's voice has a beat of its own.
I feel like he's reading a poem the entire time.
That's the way of the Cholo. True poetry
I was trying to figure out what I loved about this. Thanks for pointing it out!
Every saint has a past,
Every sinner has a future (Oscar Wilde)
This hit me hard :^^ what a wise quote
wait isn’t it the other way around?
Jay Gill j cole
Sneaks 🔥
Polite Fahrenheit what do you mean? That’s the whole point...even saints have dark things on their past, and even sinners can do good in the future
So many negative comments and so few comprehending of what this man is saying. He is not trying to excuse his actions or the actions of MS-13, what he is trying to do is give a synopsis of how this gang affiliation came about and if you live in a safe environment you will never understand.
mike askme exactly what I thought. All these terrible comments not contributing to any positive in our world. This guy needs to speak to the children of Long Island where MS13 have a big presence.
I agree with you most of the people commenting are not listening to this guy. He went through what most Americans have never had to deal with.
I applaud this guy for becoming more than what society has determined he should be.
That is the problem: most of them don't want to/don't comprehend no matter how much you try to enlighten them, so for your safety you better avoid them...
Best comment
I love how he speaks up whenever he's discussing his accomplishments, he takes pride in the good he's been able to do for others & I respect him for that
This man, by far, is very brave to testify in public of his past gang membership affiliation. Knowing very well that there are risks involved, to put himself out like that. I commend him for turning his life around, and speaking to help others. One of my fav motto in life is, "Don't judge others if you've never walked in their moccasins."
Exactly but people do judge. It’s unfortunate that our past creeps up on us even when we are trying to do better. I have respect for him. He will change many lives. We live in a imperfect world, he’s a survivor 🙏
@@melissazurita5066 sometimes it seems like people don't want anyone to change or do better
@@Ubermensch201 they are afraid because for so many yrs we were led to believe what was written in our history books. We were introduced to the cyber world which has been good and bad, let’s see what the future will now become.
@@Ubermensch201 Its because they don't understand the process. Each person is unique, and a good case manager will understand. We need more Peer support and mentors.
With his size and intellect, he could have easily become a leader/capo for the gang. Glad he ultimately made the right choice.
Paul G yea but I think he got most of his intellect after getting away from the gang
You have to actually kill your bosses to become the boss, its not like they do intellectual battles or so lul
@@buttermilkbiscuit6712....he did eventually smarten up and decide to leave, right?
@@buttermilkbiscuit6712 his experience with the gang life and his struggle throughout his life has given him the wisdom and the decision-making skills to leave that life.
@Spencer Furby ...I'll bite -- you clearly aren't educated much on the drug war below the border.. are you? "Capo" has been used by Mexicans, Colombians, and even El Salvadorians, for years. It is also a word in the Spanish language (take a guess what it means).
Also, both MS-13 and 18th street (the dominant gangs of his home country), have leaders throughout both of their gangs, with specific hierarchy.
thank you Ted for putting this kind of content out
Just another liberal attempt to make people more sympathetic to people that don't belong here!
@@bilalhernandez8022 your name is very fitting to your posts. I love the cohesiveness. Also I appreciate your point. I am confused as to where you dont find value in this mans openness and honesty to share an experience you could have never had. Technically no one ever asked to be born in history so I cannot agree with your sentiments. We all have no choice on our DNA or socioeconomic status. As humans our goal should be to improve ourselves and learn from our mistakes because we are all here until we are not and all of our actions and existence affects the collective and the future. Cheers on your endeavors and journey. I respect this mans ability to recognize and change for what he believes is the betterment of himself and his community. Thanks for reading my humble opinion on this manner.
The Tech Princess - What do you mean an experience he could have never had? Or do you just mean an experience he never had? But why the could part?
Alcides Fuentes lol
thank you . You are a princess
Not everyone from the neighborhood have role models.
This man walked that line and it made him a great character molded by the rough edges of his life.
Say what you want about the man but this is nothing short of powerful and inspirational.
His voice sounds like he's always about to climax but he never does
British word for cigarette
Read that in his voice.
Saxon Hale LMFAOOOO
No.
Dominic Gunderson ta loca
I hope his mom and grandma got to see his turnaround. He made them both proud
I had the pleasure of meeting Gerardo as he's a personal friend of my brother. Let me tell you this man is every bit as smart, well spoken and welcoming as he appears in his interviews
This is a powerful Tedtalk and I applaud this man's courage and heart to turn into a force of positive change and love for his community and doing all he can to bring change to the lives he can.🙏🎯 He is part of the solution now, God Bless him for his work and his change of heart.💒
so proud of you...thank you for making a difference
youre welcome :)
Yes! Same here!
How did he make a difference? He didnt.
Tiger Kids TV z
Several years ago I lived next to a guy who escaped gang membership in St. Louis, MO. He moved to Texas, deleted all his social media accounts and changed his phone number. That's all he said was necessary. His family had already moved away, so there was no one left in St. Louis to harass regarding his whereabouts. Over time, he said the people who knew him best would either themselves leave, die or receive lengthy prison sentences. As time passes, the possibility anyone would ever track him down significantly decreases. Even if someone was really pissed about him leaving, he said most aren't smart or resourceful enough to find him. He said those resources cost money, and people in the life would never shell out thousands just to exact revenge. They were way too preoccupied with other things to be that unselfish. He told me all about it when we were having beers. At the time we were neighbors, he was in HVAC training and his wife was an executive secretary. After he started working, he began the slow process removing his gang tattoos. I moved from that apartment 11 years ago but we periodically exchange email, mostly about sports. He's still in Texas and doing well.
well ye, if you watched the talk closely it's not that hard to "get out" (even though this can be really hard, cause it can mean leaving family members and close friends behind who are in the same situation, but not aware) but to find purpose outside of the gang. especially setting foot in the regular world with this background. it's not so much about being chased by the gang, they also know that most people come back (actually like he said in the vid 70% of ex-members become members again).
L
@@DubsCheckum I got that. Maybe by hearing the stories of other gang members finding purpose and leaving, current members will realize it's not impossible. Admittedly, he had a advantageous situation. But, it's still a good success story.
Thanks we've been looking for him
Most places that's the way it is but la California is different
The insights this guy gave are absolutely incredible. Big ups to him for the difficult decision he made.
Moment of silence for people that died to gangster life before having a chance to leave it.
They chose that life and they knew the consequences of trying to make easy money. It's a short one.
@@melymichu6731 Well sometimes thats the only way to support their family.
@@gholelarry8007 Gang members destroy honest people just trying to support their family too. What's your excuse?
@@melymichu6731 they dont always get that choice. Sometimes its join or die
@@ashley1872 Not all
You can curse the darkness or light a candle. This guy lit a bonfire. Very cool.
Damn man. This is the smartest comment i read here
What is this Dark Souls?
@@ricohernandez9969 I mean the bonfire signals hope and happines and gives courage to continue on your way so the metaphor is pretty fitting I would say. Praise the sun my friend \[T]/
@@tombuchborn YES BROTHER
B o n f i r e l i t
My man just spilled gang history you only learn by joining.
Crooks not really
Never been in one, huh? That's a good thing. It's not what it's cracked up to be.
It's not uncommon knowledge.
Not true. My late mother was Salvadoran and she told me the same history years before this came out.
Yea, most people who research the subject, understand it's inception. The only thing that isn't spoke about that much is leadership positions and practices.
Lots of people have never seen or know that gang life even exists.
Walking to school, you can get shot by rival gang at age 11 or 12 years old.
Selling drugs and going to jail is a way of life in low income comunity.
I can relate to his story. I left a poor environment.
I went to college to get a degree in teaching.
I now teach in a prison with inmate students.
I would not want to teach in any other setting.
I can relate to this man's story because it is my story.
Breaking the cycle of gang life is not easy.
Great testimony.
I need to do one too some day. My students tell I should share my story more with people.
Awesome job . Loved his video.
"We had gotten out but we're being punished for where we had been" that was powerful af bruh
When the family at home breaks down, the family on the street takes over...and the rules are completely different.
Beautifully put
Zee Mo, my thought exactly.
The absence of proper parenting is one of the most complicated problems the world faces. Sadly, the people who employed Mr. Lopez' mother could have paid her more, so that she might work less--thus being able to be present in her child's life. My theory is that people are inherently greedy: I've caught myself doing it as well as many others. Its not that people are bad, its just they don't think about anything except for whats right in front of them. Let me give an example. Say you are picking berries from a bush on your property, and you have just picked the last berry you need for the day. How often do you stop, despite the fact there are still hundreds of beautiful berries just sitting there, right in front of you?
in my experience, the thrill of getting something valuable (food) for free is exhilarating enough where i will want to keep picking long after my needs are met.
Now imagine this bush sprouts gold.
What then? what are the chances of you leaving gold nuggets just sitting out there for the crows, or any bold enough to take them when you are not looking?
I don't blame people for wanting to milk every dime they can from their business--its human nature to want to take full advantage of an opportunity.
This is the problem with illegal/poorly regulated business practices--the people running them aren't just going to stop once they have enough to eat--for most people the thought of letting something valuable lie untouched is unfathomable, bordering on painful.
How do you combat human nature as a human?
"The absence of proper parenting is one of the most complicated problems the world faces. Sadly, the people who employed Mr. Lopez' mother could have paid her more, so that she might work less--thus being able to be present in her child's life."
Are you blaming her for trying to put food on the table for her sons? Do you know what life was like for immigrants in that time? In this time? She worked 14 hour days in a sweatshop because they probably paid her less than minimum wage. Because she was, likely, an immigrant. They could get away with it because the line for US citizenship is notoriously long. And while she was waiting in limbo she was still an immigrant, so they could get away with paying her less. I know that this ties into your point, but you cant blame her for trying to support her family. The first way you combat human nature as a human is compassion.
On the contrary--i applaud her for the courage she had, and her hardworking nature.
I'm not trying to blame anyone. I'm trying to point out that her employers (and other people in positions of power/wealth etc) are not always thinking of the big picture--merely of how they can turn a profit that is more than what they need--what does a human need with billions of dollars, while the people who work for them get pennies? i am stating there is a massive inequality among people that needs to be addressed.
Let me rephrase what i said earlier to clarify: Parents in Mrs. Lopez position are being grossly taken advantage of by employers who do not have her best interests in mind, therefor taking away her opportunity to be a parent at all.
Let me also say this: when you are a 14 year old, and you see honest people like your mom working for table scraps and getting nowhere--and yet you see gold chains, nice cars, and jewel encrusted rings hanging off of gangsters...who are you gonna work for? i don't blame these children for turning to crime--in their situation, it actually pays.
This man really makes a difference in Denver.. I use to be in his programs before
Too bad the Smaldone's of Denver in the 1920's and 30's aren't around. They would do what they did to punks in those days. Shoot em and dump the bodies in a deep canyon. Thats what they did to their relatives in those days if they crossed the Mob of Colorado.
@@mikecesa4444 What
@@decliningship4208 what
@@mikecesa4444 uhh that just sounds like a gang in itself bro
@@mikecesa4444 mob of Colorado?????😂😂😂
I was never in a gang, but I am a recovering addict. It’s amazing that all of the emotions he is describing, the thoughts he had along the way, his family worrying, and his worry for his family, are EXACTLY the same things I experienced when I was using
Keep up the good work. We’re rooting for you 😘
@@3075bridget thank you!! I will have 2 years in December…I was finally diagnosed as bipolar, and once I was put on meds for it, I lost all interest in drugs. It’s wild
Gotta admire him for making such a massive transformation and being so candid about it. Change is tough, but the change he made is even tougher
Took tremendous courage for him to speak up for himself. This guy had me in a happy tear at least twice. Mad respect, man.
Your soft as a an old tomato
He had to kill someone in order to join MS 13 did you ever think about that ?
Well said, Mr. Lopez. 💜 This is a prime example that your past doesn’t have to define you. Great job!
Thank You Gerardo for your honesty and truth along your way. Thank you as you now inspire others truly. Light and Love along your path.
He’s a homie back in the days
Anyone else waiting for him to end a sentence with "esse" 😂
😂😂😂😂
isnt that tall so you mean paragraph
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAAAAAHAHAHAHA
That word is for Mexican gangs
@Roast Master Yea and they were used in Mexican gangs, specifically sureños and even the Mexican Mafia. Maybe fact check something before you comment?
With this guy’s tone of voice, I was lowkey expecting a “carnal” or “vato” to slip out at the end of one of his sentences lol
ahright cuz
Foreals foo
Serio
😂😂
Brickstun Ram lol
I finally clicked
Nice to see you here boss
yo same this was on my recommended for so long
JTsuits Lol Nice to see you here
Same
why are you in every comments section
I imagine this man has stories that he can't tell on camera.
Glad he got out and is now doing better
This was amazing. Thank you for this TED talk, Gerardo
I thought it was impossible to leave a gang. Like they say"blood in, blood out"
Funny Instagram Vines unless you snitch, pay out or God gets you out.
Its just matter of time
...
nothing is impossible!!
That movie “Blood in Blood out” is so good 💪🏾
You never leave... you just dont bang anymore.. but it’s still in your DNA
I never noticed how great this accent is for speeches. It really makes any speech more moving and captivating
@End Political Correctness of course not! its positive
It's not really his accent, hes quite good at modulating his tone and volume for dramatic effect.
It's not his accent, it's the truth behind the words that moves our souls. We are all here together and built the same way.
I guess it would probably also be great without the accent, but the accent is more like the cherry on top
He walks the walk too. Pretty moving story
I work with at risk children and it’s so difficult sometimes to get them to turn their life around. When the only thing their families have exposed them to is the life of crime and drugs, I can’t blame them for the way they glamorize the lifestyle. I can only hope one day that the reality checks get through to them before it’s too late. People like this give me hope.
Your a product of your environment. This man had the fortitude to look around that environment and realize that even though MS made him feel loved it wasn't real and that he had to not only find himself and leave his environment but now is helping the next generation who he sees himself in. Nothing but respect for this man. God bless him
great speaker and very informative information. God bless him and his organization.
This dude looks like he came straight out of just cause
Rico 💀💀
Chaos*
Rico Rodriguez
*insert spanish name here*
Edson
To get kids out of gangs he made his own non violent gang.
Gang is a gang
The only thing who can stop gangs are armed Fathers and Village Men! The cops have failed.
Everyone needs a foundation for which they can grow, it can be a family, a gang, or anything but we all need something
We should award badges to good gangs and give bad gangs a silly hat to wear.
@@ericmendez5815 the man just explained that MS-13 originally formed to protect El Salvadorian immigrants from Mexican immigrants. This is very similar to how most gangs form...they're discriminated against, they bond together, they protest against discrimination peacefully, the peaceful protests are ignored, then they begin to violently protest. It's the same story throughout history.
You want to stop gangs from forming? Then stop discriminating against people who aren't like you, then there won't be a need for certain people to band together.
Very encouraged by his testimony and what he is doing for the youth. Proud of you bro.
It is crazy how our youth is so easily impressed and joins not fully knowing the outcome...God bless this man and any one out here growing up in that struggle
Yes, easily impressed and easily led. And not just street gangs....
@@jbdbean242 very true
Imagine if at the end he said "jk" and a bunch of gang members came in with weapons
Bladez fnm underrated, sir you are a legend
@@gottagrind22 😂 did you see my insta or my yt? Cuz on @bladez_on_mobile i have more recent clips
Bladez fnm wow so funny
@@chanburrell4513 dark humor isnt for everyone
did you just create multiple accounts to stroke yourself for that joke? so edgy bro. so edgy. you got some juul i can hit?
I want this dude to narrate my life to my kids one day...
Lmao 😅😂🤣
This comment deserves more likes..
salvator visions 😂😂😂
+
haha yes
the keeeeeeds - Cartman
Thank you for being strong and loving yourself first and then loving others 💯💪🏾 Help me
This is one of my favorite TedTalks by far. That man saved houndreds of lives without a single bullet.
Finally a true G doing some tedtalk
💀💀
lol
G’s dont do tedtalks..
@@erkanaga og with an education do
erkanaga and who are you to determine what gangsters do or don’t do?
Proud of you my brother.
R u really his brother??
Yes
Edward Lopez really?
@Zaid Nezam what??
Edward Lopez were you the one staring at him from the apartment window
Congratulation for sharing your story. More need to hear this message. Stay positive in you efforts. It will continue to be at the center of your peace.
Thanks a mil for putting this on here. People really need to know this. The news wasn't telling us what was really going on back in the 80s. ...
Damnit, I need to go to sleep. They just keep popping up.
Jordon Larsen dude I’m legit doing the same thing right now 😂
Dak Koob same bro
Checking in from your comment posted a year ago wondering if you ever got some sleep 😁
@@K_Z_R Yes I did. Lol.
@@jordonlarsen4752 how did you feel the next day because I'm doing the samething
This hit me hard, I was lucky I never got into a gang my cousins and homies all were in one, and never let me join or let anyone try and mess with me, I was always working out and working I had different role models like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Larry wheels, Kai Greene and Ronnie Coleman, and I guess they saw that and made sure my passion was my main priority, I was one of the lucky ones.
Yung Wynna god blessed you
Wow you sound pretty tough
I didnt join cuz they didnt want me when i was annorexic but when i started to get to normal weight and was violating everything, seemed like i was in a gang already.
Yeahhhh buddy!!! I'll never get as big as the men you mentioned but I sure do look up to them. Pure determination and willpower right there (and a sea of testosterone).
@@darrenbrogan5328 wow you sound pretty sarcastic for a simple inoffensive comment
Best Ted talk I've seen in a long time , bravo 👏
His personality and way of speech was so captivating. Hope he's doing well. God bless him. Amen.
His accent! It just keeps getting more pronounced as he goes on. Especially with his hand motions. Reminds me of the mexican dude from Ant-Man.
😂😂😂
This is what Micheal Peña wants to be
No comprende?
Jim Hanratty ¿no hablas ingles?
Reminds me of the guy from thirty minutes or less that's hired as the hitman
"How Ms-13 found me and killed me because I was on ted Talk"
Part 2
"How I came back to life to tell the story"
FAA LCC idk if if ms 13 is sittin around watching ted talks lol
Niko Aguilera lmfao
Niko Aguilera I thought that they may have been sitting around watching CZcams 😂😂😂
Rephrase: "How Ms13 tracked me down through my Ted Talk"
Very inspiring, thank you Gerardo Lopez!
One of the best talks I've heard!!! Excellent advice!
*It was like getting married at the weekend then Monday you regret it that's what it was like when I joined MS13.. what a great comment*
You must never been married lmfao!
Boom im the new king of YT comments
Haha
This guy has a big pair of balls! I must say, I respect that. Getting out is no joke. I know for a fact that he has to be always aware if his going to be killed for getting out. I hope that's not the case. I do wish him and his family the best of luck. I will pray for this dudes security. 🙏
It's like what they say " blood in, blood out"
Did he have to kill someone first to be in the gang ?
@@colleenjohnson1508 probably. Scary position to be in.
@@colleenjohnson1508 No, to be initiated in the gang he had to get beaten up by the gang members for 13 seconds with out surrending
@@sarahirodriguez3679 a lot harder then that
Wow! Congratulations Sir! I am so proud of you! How inspiring. 🙏💙🙏
Much respect and props to him for changing his life around and helping to change the lives of others around for the better. 🤘
My son goes to Adams City High, I gave him his phone back after he got in trouble just long enough to watch a little youtube! He found this and was shocked because he recognized Gerardo as being the principal from his prior year at ACHS in Commerce City Colorado!
Which city. I would love to speak with him. Please any info anyone can help with. Much appreciated. Awesome speaker.
My cousin goes to Adams City also
Cody Ginther, that's cool. i went to the old ACHS back in the day.
Cali commie schools
Justin Terrapin seeming like an MS 13 scout lol
He looks like any normal person you would find on the street yet he was part of a gang.
Bless him and I wish the best for him
Hriday Sainathuni theirs a lot of people like this but soon as people find out they were gang memebers they start to think negative about the person
Oh yeah yeah Why would you not think negatively about someone who was in ms13. He is charismatic and had a good speech. That is probably how he got out but his crimes are not forgivable. How many people he killed will get to go camping?
Oh yeah yeah why is a maximillian fan here lmao
WOW! So proud of your achievements, Gerardo! Keep it up! Continued blessings to all the Davids in your group.
That was beautiful and it hit home for me. Thank you very much!
Ms-13 was literally the name of my middle school bus
Gang Gang
Virtual Dreamscape what
@@DanJFilms nada
Virtual Dreamscape what
Guess at least we all know which gang the driver supported.
Mother Teresa said once, if you want to change the world go home and love your family.
That's why she spent her life as a nun fetching babies out of bins.
I know right. Unbelievable person, she unselfishly left everything and went to help those who didnt have a propper life/family.
Noone ever changed th world by going home and loving their family
Right, they changed the world by changing themselves
Pomonoli that’s true to
First ted talk like. I watch a lot of the videos but this one made me feel connected to my community.
This talk brought me to tears ..
He got out of gangs, and those biceps are about to bust out his sleeves too.
prob not the only thing he busts. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
you win the comments on this video, congrats
😫😂😂😂😂😂
Marcos S lol 😂
Pretty nice bulge too😏
“I used to be a MS-13 gang member. Here’s how they can find me”
ms-13 gang members watching ted x yes
@@spaghettios5252 you wanna kill a traitor bad enough theyll find him anywhere.... just because theyre in a gang doesnt mean they dont do the normal everyday things everyone else does, theyre humans too with more free time than most people
AJ Fisher this got in my recommended so prob theirs too
Cerebrxll this man isn’t itachi they not gone come after him
CTRL AWP DELETE I know, a was just creating a scenario of how they could, because the other guy says they don’t watch Ted x
What a fantastic role model you are for fellow gang members who want to change their life and get out of that life.
Hope for their future, believe in them and giving them love and support. You are living proof that people can change
amazing, thank you for this message!
Always beautiful when one transmutes their darkness into the light
The Lord Jesus Christ loves that.
Are you happy CZcams? I finally clicked the video you’ve been spamming me with.
Ikr
@Gabrielle Mackabee you cute ma
Same😂😂😂
@Gabrielle Mackabee slide that IG or sc
@Gabrielle Mackabee fr slide that Ig
WOW!!!!! You're truly Amazing!!! God Bless You and all your endeavors, You're truly making a difference 🙏
What a powerful speech! Amazing job
It hit me really hard when you said that you were alone a lot. I have two boys. I am committed to being home. We have dinner as a family each night. I vlog about this. It isn't about eating healthy but also about breaking bread together and reflecting on our days together as a family. Thank you for this beautiful and complex talk.
Kristen Linton I hope the father is there too.
@@nicksmith3746 he works swing shift so he is home with us 3 days a week for dinner. subscribe to my channel to see :)
self advertising at its finest
He was born is El Salvador, use your head lady unless you are there or is some super poor area your kiddos are is no harms way of getting into gangs
@@KalvinJack thats not true. kids that grow up with parents absent alot of the time have a great chance to develop some kind of mental problem of disfunction and do bad stuff. do your research.
He chose the gangster life, but changed the life as a “normal” life.
That’s awesome and great.
Not Normal.....”GREAT LIFE” you mean.
@@runeplate123 Not Great….. “AWESOME LIFE” you mean.
I could listen to him talk all day🙌🏾
Where you from
What an awesome message! Stay strong and keep leading our future generation in the right direction.
Plot Twist : He's just promoting his Gang.
Plot Twist: I'm now a pretzel
Haha
Definitely talks it up alot lol
Yep. Too many of these guys are really up there telling everyone what a badass they were, not persuading people not to join.
lol
“CONSEQUENCESSSS”
Legends Never die 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Underrated comments
😂😂😂🙌
key & peele
Got hit by a heard of buffalo
I have much respect for this brother and I salute 🫡 you for everything you have done and been through. Your not just out here talking that talk your walking the walk. I truly believe in your methodology “EACH ONE TEACH ONE IN ORDER TO REACH ONE” great principle to live by.And I feel you when you say the police were punishing you for your sins of the past. And the fact that you didn’t give up and or give in to the pressure and you persevered on through all of that situation is a testament to your commitment. In my 50 plus decades of life on this planet I’ve learned some hard lessons like sometimes we end up paying for the slick ish we did out in the streets and thought we got away with in the past.
Thank you for sharing your story takes courage!