Most recent public comments by Ana Hagerup https://nowcomment.com/users/28237 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735788 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735788 It is very startling to know that Hitler and the Nazi's looked at the United States, especially the Slave South, when creating their aryan society. But what is even more startling is that Hitler believed that the US was TOO extreme in their laws, especially with marriage laws. Thu, 13 Apr 2017 10:08:27 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735786 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735786 I agree that I had a "feel-good moment" when I witnessed Namond leading a more fulfilling life than the others that he grew up with. But I also feel that my reaction had another layer to it - "wow Namond was very lucky!" Namond's luck is not the case for pretty much all struggling teens in the inner-city. It is frightening to know that statistic and realize that there are so many others like him that do not have the support that he received. Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:59:24 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735785 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735785 Alexander clearly and explicitly lays out the issues and problems in this work but the solution to dissolve second class citizenship is one that is complicated and quite honestly startling. It is going to take a revolution to change the way people view the American penal system. One thing that needs to change instantly is the way that institutions profit off of prisoners. 13th does a great job at showing how many different companies are involved in prison institution and how their interests are taking into account more than the actual prisoners. Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:54:07 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735781 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735781 Like Professor Williams claimed when introducing this new topic and Alexander's work, he was skeptical to believe the claims being made. At first, I had the same thought process and after reading this excerpt I fully believe in Alexander's claim that we have recreated the Jim Crow laws today in a way that has marginalized this criminals as second class citizens. Watching the documentary 13th, provided another lens to see how the criminal justice system and other larger institutions benefit off mass incarceration and the great misuse of power. Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:36:30 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735780 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735780 This sentence really struck me. If someone commits a crime and does the adequate time for their wrongdoing, they have paid back society and should have a clean slate and erased their so-called "scarlet letter." Yet, once criminals are released from jail, their failure continues to haunt them and instead of rejoining society, they are still labeled as criminals and their past defines who they will be forever. Sun, 16 Apr 2017 18:10:25 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668705 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668705 Throughout Season 1, I was constantly wondering if the witness had never testified in D'Angelo's case if any of the murders and violence would have pursued. The experimental idea of "Hamsterdam" is truly unique because once the police got involved to try and dismantle Barksdale's crew, everything was chaotic. But if the police carried on and didn't pry into the matters of Barksdale's crew, it would be interesting to see that state of West/East Baltimore. Wed, 01 Feb 2017 22:39:37 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668684 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668684 It would be very interesting to see if police departments and investigative units learned from any of the techniques from The Wire. I think the strategies and leads that Freamon and Pryzbylewski conducted were so smart and tactical. Was the way that they used the wire taps to put them one-step ahead of the deals advanced for the time? Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:33:29 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668658 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668658 Erin, I totally agree with your observation about how Simon/McNulty both take out their frustrations on different institutions. After reading this article I could see how Simon was angered with the Baltimore Sun. Likewise, McNulty has the attitude that no one or nothing with stop him when he sets his mind to something. I think that Simon and McNulty are both very passionate people that want to see change happen within their perspective institutions. Thu, 02 Feb 2017 01:03:58 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668627 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668627 Catherine, I totally agree with your point about how people might shy away from being decent (helping the police) for fear that it could get them killed. This was something that I struggled with throughout Season 1 - the characters were too far into the game that they would risk their life over ratting to a cop. Simon seemed to show the characters fighting this battle and that there was almost a point where they could show decency, but then something or someone drew them back. Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:09:39 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668612 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668612 I believe that with Simon's great expertise and skill, he has allowed the audience of The Wire to feel as if they are playing the game as well. By creating his "own Baltimore," Simon has combined his knowledge from reporting and investigation with some fiction, while forcing the audience to fill in the gaps. Simon's portrayal of the institutional systems of Baltimore, while some might not want to believe it or not, are reality. Simon seems to grapple with the issues regarding race, class, police, etc. while creating The Wire as his "own Baltimore." Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:53:22 -0500