Most recent public comments by Nellie McCullough https://nowcomment.com/users/28287 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735797 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735797 I believe that this issue will not be addressed during Trump's presidency. He appeals to the very white, working class people that supported the Jim Crow laws and post-reconstruction racism that established black people as permanent second class citizens. This is just my opinion, but I believe no progress in terms of racial equality will be seen in the next four, or eight years. Thu, 13 Apr 2017 10:42:56 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735796 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735796 I agree that I did not see the deeper meanings of some of the institutional changes surrounding incarceration, but I disagree in the sense that I believe it is a very clear relationship between these changes and the increase in incarcerated people. In my opinion, the fact that Bill Clinton apologized for his policy decisions suggests that his actions and their consequences were very intentional. It seemed that at the time, it was favorable to act against crime, even when it was unjust. Thu, 13 Apr 2017 10:39:10 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735795 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735795 I believe the stigma surrounding being convicted of a crime creates this unhealthy and backwards cycle for the criminals and the criminal justice system. Barring these people from basic human rights stigmatizes them and makes reintegration back into society extremely hard. How can they seek a better, reformed lifestyle post incarceration if they cannot even participate in our government, among other restrictions they face. Thu, 13 Apr 2017 10:31:00 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735245 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735245 The War on Drugs cloaked in race-neutral language that allows white people to express their hostility toward black people reminded me of Prez before he was punished and then fired. When I watched the scene where Prez brutally beats and blinds a young black boy, I immediately thought that there was some sort of pent up rage Prez held against the black community he policed. I then compared that to Kima who also at times showed that rage. Now thinking back on these scenes and after watching the documentary "13th", I understand how unfortunate and unfair it is to African Americans to use policy and law to classify them as second class citizens. I also had not thought about the perspective where African Americans during the time of Nixon, Reagan, and Clinton's presidencies actually influenced some African Americans to believe in the policies that allowed the discrimination of their own people. I wonder if what Kima's level of separation is between herself and the black community that she polices and how she feels about their crimes? Thu, 13 Apr 2017 02:32:39 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735180 https://nowcomment.com/documents/76206?scroll_to=735180 This reference to Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey made me think of Naymond. The fact that people have a reaction of pride and shock to the positions that Obama and Oprah hold only reinforces Alexander’s argument that slavery and the Jim Crow laws created a caste system that still exists today. The two are exceptions to this caste system, as was Naymond. The feeling I got while watching Naymond succeed due to Bunny Colvin’s generosity was “Wow! Good for him.” It was a “feel good” moment in the show. I believe that many Americans share that same reaction while considering the success of Obama and Oprah. This reaction in itself proves that the caste system does still exist and it is something that many African Americans still must break away from. Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:59:24 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668535 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668535 Andrew, I agree with you that the show makes an effort to emphasize how both sides of the game use people to their advantage. Originally, I thought that Greggs and McNulty were doing Bubbles a favor by befriending him and giving him a few dollars every time he helped the team. Now, however, I almost feel bad for Bubbles because he is just a victim of the game. He knows how to play both sides to get what he needs, money for drugs. Wed, 01 Feb 2017 19:54:33 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668523 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668523 Mike, I fully agree with you. Although I am not a student filmmaker, nor a Baltimore resident, I believe in and appreciate the authenticity of The Wire. The sheer effort put into portraying the real lingo, scenes, professions and struggles is undocumented. I believe appreciation for The Wire will only increase as television like this becomes more rare. Wed, 01 Feb 2017 19:43:33 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668485 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668485 From this, it is easy to understand one aspect of Simon's character. He apparently is very honesty, attentive, and sometimes unforgiving. To me, this attitude is reflected in the way The Wire portrays each of its characters. The camera illustrates each character in an unbiased and honest way, no matter the harshness of the image. I think this is important in understanding that everyone has flaws, and that whether we like it or not, we are all part of the game. Wed, 14 Apr 2021 22:08:00 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668458 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668458 In my opinion, The Wire has become more of a template to understand the social and political structures of urban American cities. At the time The Wire aired, the United States was in the midst of the war on drugs and the repercussions were about to be seen. Now, more than ten years later, our country is in a place where many do not have faith in the structures of our country. It is a time of reflection and struggle toward understanding. Because of this, I believe The Wire will be a show that is studied in schools nationally in years to come. The Wire and its lessons have increasing value and will not come and go like a lot of empty media today. Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:43:02 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668439 https://nowcomment.com/documents/70146?scroll_to=668439 Although I agree that everything in media is not 100 percent reflective of reality, I also believe that with Simon's background and his team, he created a very realistic portrayal of urban life in Baltimore. I believe that a major accomplishment of the show was just this. Simon and HBO helped bring to viewer's attention that sometimes the "cookie cutter" portrayals of race and class divisions are the reality. Wed, 01 Feb 2017 19:03:38 -0500