Most recent public comments by Catherine Ken https://nowcomment.com/users/18884 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505733 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505733 I think one of the reasons it is so hard to affect real change is due to the fact that cultural laws outweigh governmental laws. Even verbally this is hard to explain because it reflects a societal characteristic rather than something tangible. On a much smaller scale, this reminds me of the restaurant scene in season one. Even though D'Angelo knows he is welcomed as a customer, he does not feel comfortable as an individual in the fancy restaurant; his insecurity represents the greater underlying inequalities in society today. Mon, 04 Apr 2016 13:58:56 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505728 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505728 I agree with Meg and with this paragraph that the incarceration system refers to a much broader network than prison alone. How is it fair, or possible, to help an individual reenter society if he or she is already an underdog by simply going to prison? How does this accurately give someone a second chance? I empathize with the individuals faced with returning to society because they face the horrible irony of being deemed worthy of returning to life outside prison walls only to be met with new walls built of prejudice. Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:39:15 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505722 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505722 Agreeing with Carolyn's comment, I would like to add that it would be interesting to know the breakdown of crime rates. In other words, what type of committed crimes are lower in the U.S. than compared internationally? When talking about crime, I think it is important to understand the context of when the act was committed. For example, it seems to me that it would be more likely for a country with a higher poverty rate to have a higher theft rate as well than of a country with a lower poverty rate. Mon, 04 Apr 2016 14:47:20 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505719 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505719 Although I understand what Alexander is trying to convey, I am bothered by the generalization she makes when connecting felonies and race. The way she writes this paragraph implies by that being labeled a criminal has misplaced/disguised race segregation and reach inequality. However, how can she make this argument when there are criminals of all different ethnicities? Rather than focusing on what I believe to be her point of view, that felonies often unfairly discriminate against the individual, she makes it sound like it is particular only to African Americans. Does this make sense? Mon, 04 Apr 2016 17:33:56 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=483566 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=483566 I also feel like this sentence is a demonstration of politics at play. Rather than focusing on the long term reduction of crime, making people feel comfortable in the short term becomes the larger goal. In my opinion, this is a narrow point of view because the police focus on winning the battle instead of winning the war. Thu, 03 Mar 2016 07:26:27 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=483552 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=483552 In addition, we see in The Wire that the FBI often holds the upper hand, therefore controlling the outcome of the case. In season 2, the FBI is only willing to help the team if it remains about monitoring union behavior. Ironically, this endeavor ends up aiding the Greek terrorists. Thus it is important to value both sides: that which is far away and that close to home. Tue, 01 Mar 2016 18:03:37 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=483547 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=483547 The Wire shows that in many families, whether makeshift or blood related, loyalty is the what keeps the individuals alive. From the police perspective there is Bunk, who always backs up McNulty. From street perspective there are the many women and children who are looked after by the gang even after their husbands/fathers are in jail. Nonetheless it is important to note that loyalty within families is honored less in gangs. For example, Stringer kills D'Angelo and Avon kills Stringer, all for seemingly disloyal actions. Wed, 02 Mar 2016 09:54:33 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=483545 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=483545 This sentence calls to mind the scene in season 2 when Beatty discovers the cargo box of dead women. Even after investigating, the identities of the women remain unknown. For example, although McNulty tries to find the name of the woman floating in the water, she is ultimately declared anonymous by the morgue. However not all of death is like this, and I feel The Wire does a fantastic job of humanizing deaths that seem far away from our comfortable lives. The show helps us empathize with these characters by recognizing all dimensions, therefore relating their lives to ours. Tue, 01 Mar 2016 17:57:07 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483541 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483541 I think it is also important to acknowledge that the type of individuals we are addressing, children and not adults, are dependent on their parents. So not only are they restrained by resources and education, children are only as free as their parents. For example, although Dukie is smart and kind, he is devoid of social mobility, or even the charity of others, because his parents prevent any opportunity. Tue, 01 Mar 2016 17:46:14 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483539 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483539 To continue Meg's thought and Tuesday's class discussion I would like to add that this sentence is another depiction of the complexity of Anderson's question of decent vs. street values. In this scenario, most outsiders would view the manager as a decent employer, while the tenant would appear as an indecent guest. The most tragic element is that there is no evidence to support the under guard, but rather a "closed system" that traps the innocent within the power of the enforcers. Of course this is not always the case, however it is a good way to illustrate that behavior is not always what it seems. Tue, 01 Mar 2016 17:40:37 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483534 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483534 As The Wire has thoroughly shown, the image of perceived normal law rules and actual rules are not always equal. Here, the author argues that just like in The Wire, injustice is often acknowledged but not necessarily addressed because of situation within context of the broader institutions. For example, police brutality is often used on gang members but is never reprimanded by superiors even though it is against the law. Tue, 01 Mar 2016 17:33:14 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483529 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483529 This sentence reminds me of the scene in season 1 where Wallace feeds his younger siblings before sending them off to school. For most "decent" standards, using the meaning from Anderson's reading, this would constitute an unhealthy diet and a shameful way of parenting. However the reality is that Wallace is the closest thing to a parent that these young children have and they are lucky to have food at all. For me, this is something shocking and a fact that I believe is not addressed enough. For example, when you hear of world hunger you typically don't imagine the population of a first world country. Nevertheless this state exists and I admire the way The Wire addresses the issue. Wed, 02 Mar 2016 08:51:02 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481883 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481883 This paragraph relates directly to the change in control of the West Baltimore that transitions from Barksdale to Marlo. For example, Bode wishes he could still run the prime real estate, but ultimately is resituated to a new corner, and eventually killed, because Marlo becomes the leading power. I also find it interesting that this paragraph is not a new idea, but rather symbolizes the historic fight of property. From this point of view, "turf" is not a new fight, but a human endeavor that has always existed. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:44:06 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481879 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481879 This paragraph reminds me of the commentary that takes place within the "special" classroom of stoop kids. While in group discussion, Naymond and other friends openly talk about the drug network and what they have learned from their interactions on the streets. However, talking about the violence and leading the violence are two different things. For example, Naymond does not want to discipline one of his younger soldiers, resulting in a string of behavior that eventually leads him to Colvin's care. Thus both the commentary in the classroom and the Naymond's behavior show how real is the violence and that is is neutral to all ages. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:40:28 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481875 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481875 In addition to Shanelle's comment, I would like to add that many of the characters within The Wire recognize this technique of survival. In season 2, Bunk tells McNulty that "It's all about self-preservation Jimmy. It's something you never learned." This quote suggests that individual action does not necessarily reflect his or her morals or desires, but rather conscious decision to perform as instructed because that is the only way to reach his or her end goal within the institution. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 14:07:11 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481859 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481859 I agree with Caroline's commentary and want to add a point we discussed in class regarding the fact that different characteristics are not always equally favored depending on the associated institution. In this case, Naymond, much to the chagrin of his mother, does not have what it takes to make it on the street. Colvin identifies this trait and even openly discusses it with his father in jail. Admittedly, Naymond, his father, and Colvin all recognize that Naymond needs to take a different path. Without this help, however, it is unlikely he would survive. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:30:28 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452702 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452702 I completely agree with Ms. Cosentino's connection between Simon and McNulty. When reading this article and comparing this quote to some of the detective's behavior in Season 1, many scenes of McNulty's authoritative resentment and personal drive came to mind. Nonetheless, I think we need more information into McNulty's background to further understand any personal vendettas; for example, what made him join the police force? Tue, 02 Feb 2016 13:10:28 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452701 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452701 I love this sentence for its ability to help convey Simon's goals for The Wire. This shows how Simon took what he learned from working at The Sun and transformed it into a cinematic newspaper article. Through his plot line and characterization, Simon created an opportunity to report about Baltimore without fear of pesky authoritative intervention or criticism of his opinions. Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:15:05 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452697 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452697 While I understand the author's point of view as well as Ms. Richardson's assertion, I would want to know more specifics regarding the argument. For example, does capitalism represent an umbrella for multiple institutions (ex: government and media)? Could capitalism, if defined in a different context, be seen to improve the lives of some of the characters (ex: creating a better drug product that increases Barksdale's profit)? Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:31:29 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452695 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452695 One of the aspects of the first season that I enjoyed watching was the connection between the opposing sides. Beyond simply appreciating each other's work, such as in the first episode when McNulty says, "Nice work," to Stringer Bell, there is a connection through the mutual understanding of what the work entails. In other words, both gang members and law enforcement must make decisions based on personal ambition, pride, and morality. I think this sentence does a nice job summarizing this characteristic of the show, and can also be supported by examples throughout the first season. Wed, 03 Feb 2016 08:32:46 -0800