Deaf community is split over new colloquial ASL for Joe Biden because it resembles the CRIPS sign - and both the Democrats and the gang use the color blue

Members of the deaf community in the United States are sounding off on the recently adopted colloquial American Sign Language used for President-elect Joe Biden, worried that it too closely resembles the Crip gang sign. 

A variety of hands signs have circulated to represent Biden, with the one in question meant to look as if the president elect was sporting his signature Ray Bans.

But Nakia Smith, a prominent TikTok influencer known for her videos about ASL, quickly pointed out that the sign looked all too similar to that of the Crips of the West Coast.

'We BIPOC feel completely disagree with that because of where we come from' she said in a she posted across platforms on Monday. 'We should've worked together and agree on the same thing than move forward when others disagree with that sign name for Biden.'  

Nakia Smith, a prominent TikTok influencer known for her videos about ASL, quickly pointed out that the Biden sign looked all too similar to that of the Crips of the West Coast

 'We BIPOC feel completely disagree with that because of where we come from' she said in a she posted across platforms on Monday. 'We should've worked together and agree on the same thing than move forward when others disagree with that sign name for Biden'

Smith, who resides in Dallas, Texas, also pointed out that Democrats color is blue - one of the primary colors of the gang.  

'Feels so unsafe for us,' she declared in the brief clip. 

In a Saturday post, Smith showed what both President Trump's and President-elect Joe Biden's colloquial ASL identifiers looked like. Trump's is shaped to resemble his comb over. 

'Hell nah not the gang sign! If I do that in South Dallas, I'm done for good,' she said in the post.  

Biden pictured in his signature Ray Bans, inspiration for the ASL gesture

When notable events occur or someone hits new prominent status, a new ASL tag will be given to help the community identify the subject when communicating.

'The deaf community tends to come together to create new signs when our society experiences changes,' Michael Agyin, a deaf activist in Los Angeles who founded the Compton ASL Club, explained to the Los Angeles Times. 'Just as a sign for the coronavirus came about, the same applies to the new president.'

For presidential sign names, a person's initials, physical appearance or reputation may be used. 

'The sign name can go both ways, either positive or negative,' Agyin said. 'There can be other signs, but it won't be dominant.'

Obama favorably had a 'B' was looked like a flag while Nixon had a 'N' paired with a motion for 'liar' following Watergate and Bill Clinton has added the word for 'affair' since his impeachment.  

A member of the Grape Street Crips poses with his purple bandana and flashes his affiliation with a double 'C'  

Trump's colloquial ASL is supposed to resemble his combover

Ones for Biden have failed to inspire, with many fearing an initial based one would be too similar to Obama's. Another, said to poke at his slicked-back hair, has also failed to gain traction.  

'One reason Biden's sign name is tricky is that he has no strong visual characteristics that make him stand out,' Agyin said. 'I mean, Biden has been around in politics for 47 years, and this is the first time he's actually getting a sign name.' 

Agyin and others are hoping that one that resembles Biden's crooked smile catches on.  

'Biden should be proud and honored he's getting a new sign name,' Agyin said. 'Because he's adding new sign language vocabulary, and that's definitely awesome.'

BLOODS VS CRIPS: A LONG AND VIOLENT HISTORY ON THE STREETS 

The rival Crips and Bloods have a long history of violent crime and retribution.

he rival Crips and Bloods have a long history of violent crime and retribution.

The Crips, whose members wear blue clothing, is one of the largest gangs in the U.S. with an estimated 35,000 members after being formed in LA in the late Sixties.

The Crips, whose members wear blue clothing, is one of the largest gangs in the U.S. with an estimated 35,000 members after being formed in LA in the late Sixties.

The gang has been involved in murders, robberies, and drug dealing. Members call each 'Cuzz' and 'Blood Killas'. When writing, members often use the letter 'c' in place of 'b' to disrespect Bloods.

The gang has been involved in murders, robberies, and drug dealing. Members call each 'Cuzz' and 'Blood Killas'. When writing, members often use the letter 'c' in place of 'b' to disrespect Bloods.

Bloods, whose members wear red, was formed as an alliance for people to seek refuge from Crips, but soon became a crime ring itself. 

Bloods, whose members wear red, was formed as an alliance for people to seek refuge from Crips, but soon became a crime ring itself. 

The Crips rivalry with the Bloods dates back to the early days of the gang. In an early violent episode, a Bloods gang member was beaten today outside the Hollywood Palladium by Crips.

The Crips rivalry with the Bloods dates back to the early days of the gang. In an early violent episode, a Bloods gang member was beaten today outside the Hollywood Palladium by Crips.

The rivalry still contributes to a significant portion of gang murders in LA.  

The rivalry still contributes to a significant portion of gang murders in LA.  

The Crips remained the bigger gang, so to assert power, the Bloods engaged in violent crime. 

The Crips remained the bigger gang, so to assert power, the Bloods engaged in violent crime. 

In the 1980s, they were heavily involved in crack cocaine dealing in LA which drove profits and allowed other chapters of the gang to pop up around the U.S. 

In the 1980s, they were heavily involved in crack cocaine dealing in LA which drove profits and allowed other chapters of the gang to pop up around the U.S. 

Members of both gangs are in the majority, young African-American males, but both sides recruit women along with members from different ethnic backgrounds.

Members of both gangs are in the majority, young African-American males, but both sides recruit women along with members from different ethnic backgrounds.

The Black Guerrilla Family was found in prison in the mid-Sixties in Marin County, California and held a Marxist ideology inspired by black political leader, Marcus Garvey. 

The Black Guerrilla Family was found in prison in the mid-Sixties in Marin County, California and held a Marxist ideology inspired by black political leader, Marcus Garvey. 

According to Florida DOC, the BGF recruit from both the Crips and the Bloods.

According to Florida DOC, the BGF recruit from both the Crips and the Bloods.