The definition of "cool" has changed over the years. From fashion, to activities and clubs, what's considered "in" is evolving.
A former Chattanooga gang member says social media is boosting the "gang life" into a spotlight for all to see.
Videos showing fights are posted on social media for all to see. Recently a girl fight in Memphis went viral. It all started because of a Facebook feud.
Paul Smith has seen plenty of videos similar to the one out of Memphis. He's now the Public Safety Coordinator for the city of Chattanooga, but was previously the principal of The Howard School for six years.
He's seen how social media interactions are played out.
"When they are confronted with each other face to face, oh now it becomes real," said Smith, "now you've got to act on it to keep your bravado."
As comments fly back and forth, emotions can boil over and social media beefs can get out of control. It's no different in Chattanooga's gang culture.
"They're using social media just like everyone else," said Smith, "they have a thought and they want to put it out there."
Standing by a Chattanooga bus stop at 7:00 a.m., Marques Williams, a former gang member, is trying to send kids down a path he failed to take.
"Come here let me straighten you tie up," said Williams to a young man heading to school.
He now reaches out to current gang members and at risk kids to talk to them about the pressures of social media and gang life.
"When you become a certain age as a man, you start realizing this ain't what it's cracked out to be," said Williams.
Williams says young gang members need to be mindful of their Facebook footprint. He says its easy to hide behind a keyboard, but the streets don't forget.
"Either they kill you or you get beat to death because you were looking for likes on Facebook."
There's been a shift in how gangs are portrayed. Williams says the hustling lifestyle of crime wasn't always "cool," but now, it's all about the social media image.
"That's the way you're cool if you got on red or you blue or you know the lingo," said Williams, "It's a fashion statement to me."
Williams says this image also plays out in what's said and shown online. Comments once reserved for a small group are now broadcast to hundreds and shared over and over.
"It's fun and games right now until somebody gets shot or they end up facing a lot of time," said Williams.
The police are watching too. Paul Smith says they build social media files on gang members and encourage them to make a change in their lives.
"We have enough dead black kids in the street," said Smith, "we don't need anymore."
It's a similar initiative Williams is putting to practice while greeting kids. He's the one standing at the bus stop. Not the gangs.
"[I] try and get them to see that we don't have to live that life all our life," said Williams.
