Final answer:
The main symbol in "On the Sidewalk Bleeding" is Andy's purple jacket, representing both his gang affiliation with the Royals and the negative aspects of gang identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main symbol in "On the Sidewalk Bleeding" is the purple jacket worn by the protagonist, Andy. This jacket represents his affiliation with the Royals gang and is indicative of his identity within this group. However, over the course of the story, the jacket also symbolizes the negative consequences of gang membership, such as violence and loss of individuality. Andy's realization of these consequences and his desire to be recognized as himself, not just as a gang member, is a key theme in the story. The jacket, in the end, becomes a symbol of the identity that Andy wants to shed in order to be seen for who he truly is.