Most recent public comments by Shanelle Rucker https://nowcomment.com/users/5784 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505924 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505924 These labels of "deserving" and "underserving" really bothered me because it made me think of all the different competing categories that people put characters of the Wire in (also in Goffman's book): stoop vs. corner; dirty vs. clean. These binaries imposed by those not in the society I think deepens the idea of a caste system because they are able as an authoritative and institutional figures to arbitrarily and define these terms based on their own agenda. Further divisions of a group (in this case, the poor) remove those at the top from those at the bottom. These specific terms reminded me of how black drug addiction was handled vs. white drug addiction. This language furthermore is used to manipulate these people defined under which to the ends of the two parties ensconced in this debate and it's upsetting to see how "other" this is making people. Mon, 04 Apr 2016 22:30:34 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505917 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505917 When I read this sentence, I also immediately thought back to the class where we discussed how helpful watching a fictional (no matter how much it mirrored reality) television show, and I really appreciated this. I feel like in this sentence she has an underlying faith that people, when informed, will do something about the issue. She's right to inform people first too because they are the ones that make up the institutions that perpetuate these customs and norms. It goes to show you how powerful simple information is--I myself have learned so much and have been educated where I didn't even know I needed to be. And as much as I hate the word, awareness is a huge step and I agree with Austin and Alexander here in saying that this is a "much-needed conversation." Mon, 04 Apr 2016 22:16:23 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=481758 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=481758 I agree, she seemed more like she was stifled from overbearing family members that were, and this is key, still very much aware and respectful of the law, than from some sort of cultish gang she makes it out to be. I feel like the only connection to other, "real" gangs is that the violence that happens is because of drugs. Tue, 01 Mar 2016 13:36:42 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=481751 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49881?scroll_to=481751 This reminds me of how McNulty is always trying to get the Feds to participate and help the BPD with the drug war. They usually respond about how they don't get invlved in local police work unless it has to do with Russians or terrorism. Leap is mad that this kind of global issue has more trump than the black woman shot in a street. Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:03:37 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=481717 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=481717 It's interesting because the other main "religious" figure I think of in the Wire is Brother Mouzone. Though I think that he talks the talk of religion (like when he was about to be shot by Omar and made peace before his imminent death), but uses it kind of as a justifier for his actions. He also uses it, seemingly, as a fear tactic. He stands apart--the way he dresses and talks, and he is dangerous. He portrays himself also as an avenging angel, but it's all for the sake of his reputation as muscle rather than real religion. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:03:06 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=481714 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=481714 This description of Eric reminded me so much of Michael and his relationship with Cutty. Cutty took an interest in Michael and really wanted him to succeed, both in the ring and in life, but like Eric, Michael never rally responded to serious questions about his life that Cutty asked. And Michael was the saddest character to me because he had so much going for him, and so many to help him but he keeps turning down the wrong roads because he is the one who built up the walls of isolation himself and he went down and got himself into a life, amidst a group of other men that probably wanted him to uphold the respect that in the Anderson article was so much talked about. Tue, 01 Mar 2016 16:27:18 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481693 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481693 And I think that it makes it all the more interesting that he finally joins the game when Bug's father comes back into his life. That man is, for Michael, the epitome of what takes away his respect. I think that it was assumed he sexually harassed him which strips Michael of masculinity. He is supposed to be a father figure, a symbol of familial and patriarchal law, but, like the the real Law, Michael simply distrusts him. He then must turn to the street which is where you can earn respect and a name for yourself, to get his masculinity and position back, both in the home and on the street. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:26:43 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481690 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481690 This idea of "a man's got to do what a man's go to do" rephrased in this paragraph to a general justified reaction of violence is not new. It's been tied to masculinity and respect in every genre that has to do with men vying to keep their position on the status quo--from Westerns to detective stories to gangster films. It's interesting though that for some (the black community more specifically here) the killing was understandable and fit into their code of the street. This law of the jungle focuses on survival and places the onus on the intruder in this situation to know that. I feel like the Wire encapsulates this because when seen from the outside it could be seen as so many things--a random killing, an act of revenge, the show interprets the code for us and puts it into perspective. Sun, 20 Mar 2016 21:15:52 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452797 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452797 This paragraph reminded me of when Daniels said to Carver, "Comes a day you're gonna have to decide whether it's about you or about the work." And it struck me because the corruption comes from the characters who care about themselves and their career, whether that's the Major, Ronnie, whoever; they are putting themselves first. Juxtaposed to that, the show is filled with castoffs who have done proper police work and care about that more than themselves (clearly, since they were usually transferred to a paper-pushing department or their least favorite one). And in any other sphere of action, you are supposed to care about you--it's the core of the American Dream, the push for the self-made man, the individual--and that's a good thing, but many of these characters just don't see how caring for the work can equate with a paycheck. Sometimes the reward should be more private than public. Tue, 02 Feb 2016 20:09:08 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452779 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=452779 This sentence stuck with me as well because I also struggled to find "good" people anywhere. But I also thought that was the point. Each character whether the detectives (thought to be good guys) or Wallace or Di'Angelo (supposed bad guys) had good in them. Bleak is usually (for me) associated with the color grey, and that's what everyone is in regards to character; there's no stark black or white. Maybe that's the point too: people should see similarities in everyone not just obvious differences and judgements based on those. Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:21:58 -0500