Most recent public comments by Ms. Alex Oldham https://nowcomment.com/users/49642 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314971 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314971 The discussion here about Primo's benefits raises many questions for me. I wonder how someone like Primo could turn down such a high-paying and secure (with the said benefits) job for a minimum-wage job where you earn no respect, as well as very limited benefits. When considering the drug trade for a career, one's first hesitation may be on the danger, and the ease of getting thrown in prison if ever caught. By bringing up the discussion of benefits, Ray is completely relieving those doubts about the safety and security of the job. I had not assumed, by just watching the Wire, that the leaders of the organizations, like Ray, had put this extensive amount of thought into offers they make employees upon promotion. This is also just yet another example of how the Game reflects the structure of a legitimate and legal business structure. Thu, 04 Apr 2019 00:07:15 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314956 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314956 Sean, I would have to agree that the "compadrazgo" term and sentiment seems to be for the sake of personal gain and manipulation. It seems as though it is simply a way of making an otherwise silent agreement with a friend you know you can trust, a very formal agreement instead. I think that Ray took advantage of what appears to be a sentimental term to use as a way in which to ensure loyalty by close friends in a high-risk business. Wed, 03 Apr 2019 23:25:54 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314947 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314947 This sentence starting at "... he knew hot to discipline..." brings up an important balance about respect in the players of the game that we also see as a recurring theme in the Wire. In order to uphold their positions of authority, characters like Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell in the Wire had to discipline the D'Angelo and other boys in the Pit on how the structure of their business works; however, I also noticed how important it was for those leaders to not overstep, as showing some sort of acknowledgment was important in keeping the younger boys in their business. Showing acknowledgement or appreciation for their employees is difficult as well, when you consider how the drug lords are assumed to act, and how they are supposed to maintain a facade of "toughness" without any sort of vulnerability. Thu, 04 Apr 2019 08:46:35 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314937 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314937 Anna, I think you make a very interesting point here in the portrayal of the drug trade. This was actually one of the first realizations I had after starting the Wire, that the business is run much more smoothly and organized than the media portrays it to be. When we see examples of how Avon Barksdale and his gang do damage control in order to protect their employees, money, and the business, it is clear that the men had an elaborate and detailed structure to their business that is not assumed when the business of drug dealing comes up. Here, we also see how minutiae details, that many may think are not acknowledged in the drug trade, such as the noise and crowding by the stoop, is actually strategically discussed as an important aspect of the business. Wed, 03 Apr 2019 23:12:02 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314917 https://nowcomment.com/documents/136072?scroll_to=1314917 Sophie, I felt as though your point from this reading about the drug dealers using women to lure clients into their legal business and to bring more customers for the drugs reminds me a lot of the bar Orlando's from season one of the Wire. The Gentleman's club, owned and run by men, with a space for the drug dealers in the back, was actually a strip club. Women in the show were consistently portrayed putting on makeup for the men and acting as submissive to the drug dealers and their customers. This is just yet another example of how the women functioned as individuals to be taken advantage of for the benefits of the dealers. Wed, 03 Apr 2019 23:00:25 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307821 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307821 Emily, I completely agree with your point of how Americans view success as easily attainable through the "American Dream" and upward mobility, yet many fail to recognize the obstacles of our institutions for minorities. As a nation founded on the principles of equality, and with the hope of opportunities for all, it seems ironic that we see so many examples of the national institutions, like law enforcement and education that seem to restrict minority individuals. However I think that the point you make is one that our government still struggles to address today. It makes me wonder how our government can begin to change the narrative on this issue to their citizens in a more effective way? Mon, 25 Mar 2019 21:30:06 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307816 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307816 I agree with Kaitlin's commentary about the parallel between the freedmen of the 19th century and felons freed from prison today. I was also intrigued about Lacy's question on how the government should respond to the problem of prisons and rehab facilities failing to lower the crime rates by failing to support ex-convicts. I wonder if the government could support a program that would give released prisoners choices for housing, employment, and education opportunities despite their restrictions. In addition, I wonder if there is a way in which the government can offer extensive programs for released prisoners so that they can earn their right to vote back. Mon, 25 Mar 2019 20:59:23 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307797 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307797 One of the most surprising aspects of the Wire was learning about how the drug leaders, the characters that control the money and their "employees", those like Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell, are removed from dealing directly with any of the drugs, as well as doing many of their drugs (with a few exceptions). I did not understand at first why this would be, but as I learned more about the law enforcement and the policies that restrict those in legal trouble, this policy makes more sense. As Alexander says, those in legal trouble "...are confined to the margins of mainstream society and denied access to the mainstream economy," it is clear that once denied access from important aspects of life, characters like Stringer Bell and Avon Barksdale would be unable to hold their positions of authority in the drug trade. So, it is clear that these characters use inferior characters, like the young boys in the Pit to handle the drugs directly, so if they were caught and thrown in jail, it wouldn't be the leaders who have to deal with the repercussions when released. Mon, 25 Mar 2019 20:49:45 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307783 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307783 Alexander's point, "I understand well the many ways in which racial stereotyping can permeate subjective decision-making process at all levels of organizations," reminded me of the decision making that the neighborhood security Watch, Zimmerman, made when shooting 17 year-old Trayvon Martin walking innocently through a neighborhood. Instead of seeing that Trayvon was innocently walking with no form of weapons on him back to his father, he immediately assumed the worse of him due to his race and shot him in supposed "self defense." This shooting brought light to the issue in America with an innocent killing due to black stereotypes, but here Alexander brings up the idea that this racial stereotyping is influencing other institutions as well. Her point makes me wonder: What other examples do we see in the Wire or in the institutions of our society that allow racial stereotypes to influence decision-making? Thu, 28 Mar 2019 09:27:47 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307771 https://nowcomment.com/documents/134033?scroll_to=1307771 I agree with both Julia and Joelle's comments regarding the last sentence of the opening paragraph. The author is both able to introduce what she will be discussing in the following pages and is able to keep Jarvious a human character in the eyes of the readers. I also think it is interesting to note that before this final sentence, Alexander points out that Jarvious' father was unable to vote due to "poll taxes" and "literacy tests." I think it is important to recognize that both money and lack of education are still consistent themes in the Wire and for the black community in the 21st century. Mon, 25 Mar 2019 20:01:40 -0500