Please post your thesis to this thread or to the one below. Today is preferable, but at least by tomorrow. You will also find it useful to have a copy of your thesis available to you during class on Wednesday.Reminder: Watch 3.5-3.6. Heads up to SAW 29-31.5.
Reminder: Bring three quotations to class (from The Wire, one of the assigned articles, or another source); we will use this as part of the outlining exercise.
Bruce Western, author of Punishments and Inequality in America, insists that American drug policy is severely flawed because it is unjust; it criminalizes and punishes those most stricken by poverty, who instead need treatment and rehabilitation. I am inclined to support his claim because I believe that the drug war is mostly a social dilemma spilling over into the legal system as a result of poor education and high unemployment.
ReplyDeleteContext for thesis: Introduction quoting Ryan Brooks, author of The Narrative of "real police" on his belief that power shifts are generated from "knowledge-power":
ReplyDeleteAlthough many institutional bodies may object Brooks’ notion and argue that institutions with a strong hierarchical structure rarely experience power shifts and that knowledge is not necessarily relevant to one’s rank, I would only agree to an extent. Surely, hierarchical rank gives more authority, and usually with more authority comes more knowledge, but I would say that the power obtained through knowledge, rather than through hierarchical rank, is more commanding and overall, more effective.
Thesis: Critics like Amanda Klein argue that The Wire is a melodramatic television show that uses several elements from popular genres, yet I argue that The Wire still comes off realistic and authentic.
ReplyDeleteThe Wire shows a division of power between many different levels of characters that are involved in the street life portrayed in the show, but I feel that this division of power is happening in life everyday, from lower lifestyles all the way up to corporate America.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Harvey argues that inorder to clean up Baltimore you have to move all the drugs and gangs out, however I feel and The Wire shows that even if you move the drugs and gangs out of the city they will either set up somewhere else or find their way back, because you can't change who people are.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the unspoken rules of "the game," those who work in it have to be hard, tough, and practically emotionless. However, I argue that D'Angelo and Wallace do not fit that mold - this is illustrated in episode 1.7 of The Wire.
ReplyDeleteAnne Klein argues that melodramatic tactics were used in order to evoke feelings of sadness, empathy and a sense of immersion as the viewers continued to watch the series. Although I agree with her arguement, I believe that because of this it adds realism to the entire series as we watched the constant power struggles and uprisings amongst different groups and individuals.
ReplyDeleteSarah Werner said (Yes, but)...
ReplyDeleteWhile David Harvey painted a very bleak picture of urban decline in the city of Baltimore, I do not agree that Baltimore's "problems seem intractable." It has been 11 years since Harvey published "The Baltimore Story," and most of the data he used to support his thesis was collected between 1966 and 1988. Surely there have been many important areas of improvement in Baltimore over the last two decades, and the city will continue to adapt to its changing economic circumstances in the future.
The Wire focuses on young adults who are raised in an environment that thrives on illegal activities, leaving them with little to no other options but to participate and be included in ‘the game’. I believe that the show portrays effective examples of real life situations, through characters such as Wallace and D’Angelo that strive for a life not involving drug activity. However The Wire takes these realistic choices and takes them to the extreme by having them killed, only to exaggerate the tragedies of kids born into the drug dealing industry, making the show more melodramatic than realistic.
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ReplyDeleteThe Wire focuses on the significance of ‘the game’ and how drugs and violence play an important role in contributing to it, and in times even more important than family. In other words, it does not matter who is killed, hurt or who takes the fall because once you’re in the game there is no room for emotion, all that matters is that the business is protected and maintained. I believe this concept is portrayed through D’Angelo because once he was arrested and convicted to serve twenty years in prison did he realize that in the end it was never about blood and family, it is was always about making money and staying alive, and if you did anything to jeopardize the business, your blood is what they’re going to be after.
ReplyDeleteKlein says that The Wire, a show praised for its realism, uses melodramatic codes, which is normally in opposition to realism, to create viewer empathy. I agree but, I say that The Wire's use of melodramatic codes and tactics creates viewer empathy and thus creates a sense of realism in the show.
ReplyDeleteThe Wire shows how characters try to leave the game and change their situation, but are not able to succeed. This can be seen specifically in season one episode twelve with Wallace and D’Angelo. I think that the more limitations and fewer opportunities you have, then the more difficult it becomes to change or rise above your situation. Furthermore, sometimes those in power like Stringer prevent this from happening.
ReplyDeleteBrooks argues that a police suveillance unit must remain hidden in order to have its coercive effect. I agree with this claim made by Brooks and the Wire demonstrates the police struggling to accomplish this.
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ReplyDeleteCritics of the HBO show, “The Wire” may argue that institutions are a positive structure of the social order thus, keeping an eye on the behaviors of individuals. In reality that so called structure is manipulated and corrupt. I believe that the writers of “The Wire” do very well in showing how some of those institutions have ramifications on individual’s decisions. At the end of the day there is very little mobility for the individuals no matter if they are government officials or drug dealers. In addition if they do not abide by the rules of the institution the consequences are far greater and this can be seen in D’angelo, Wallace and McNulty’s lives.
ReplyDeleteRyan Brooks argues that the 'omniscient narrative', a seemingly nonjudgemental all seeing tactic, present in "The Wire"s plot as well as the show's structure is the most effective approach to gain power. He also argues this 'knowledge is power' approach would work in law enforcement environments outside of the show, but that public pressure causes this approach to be virtually impossible. I agree that within the show this tactic produces the most powerful characters, however, I find that the structure of the show does not influence the audience as subtly as Brooks claims and that in law enforcement, this approach would not necessarily be as effective as it is within the show.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, Brooks points out that in "The Wire", power within the two communities, the drug organization and the Baltimore Police Department, power is favored over knowledge. He argues that a good police would able to have knowledge and the power to manipulate people to do whatever they ask; testify against criminals, go undercover, etc. He also goes on and explains that member in the drug organization would also have knowledge and power, but exercise it in their favor by instilling fear within the community which our prevent anyone to testify against them and/or steal their products/money.
ReplyDeleteAccording to The Wire, there is only one destination when you are in the game; either fight or die. Simon describes that The Wire is about how institutions have effect an individual and whether who you are, you are compromised and must contented with your institution you have committed to. I agree that once you have committed to the society, you will not be able to get out of it. Your destination has been decided since you join in to that society. Regardless friends, family, or co-workers, morality does not represent in The Wire because it is all about business and game.
ReplyDeleteThe writers of The Wire shows that power has the ability to shift through different mediums by asserting a theory that people strive for power which makes them stronger in society. I agree because not only are the rules of the game known whether consciously or not, it provides a sense of social order and structure and is ultimately the underlying source in order to be successful in the game.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Klein argues that the melodramatic elements used in The Wire discredits the authenticity of the characters and situations portrayed in the show. I agree with her to an extent, certain scenes and characters are unlikely to exist in real life, however I do not feel that the melodrama removes from the overall reality of the show.
ReplyDeletePeople may argue that anyone involved in “the game” does not have a soft side and always has to have a hard exterior, but I argue that this is not always the case. In episode 3.6, we continue to see Omar in a different light. We see the affects that “the game” and the ruthless things he does has on him.
ReplyDeleteThe Wire gives insight into the lives of west baltimore inhabitants trying to play "the game", the general attitude towards life in Baltimore is bleak and often seen as hopeless to those who have been caught up in the drug trade; I would argue that this vision is not shared by all of the members in this particular trade. They idea of a utopia is often hinted at by the characters who begin to stray from or doubt their future in "the game" this hopeful attitude is often fleeting because of the violence they encounter as they try to break free from their drug dealer image and try to repent for their actions.
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