So says Carcetti as he confronts the racial politics of Baltimore, of America, really. Perhaps, as some of you wrote on your blog last night, he isn't the best candidate for mayor: it's not quite clear why he wants the position (though it's hard not to imagine one reason--power), nor is it quite clear yet what he really believes about what needs to be done about Baltimore. What we do know is what Mayor Clayton Royce believes. When asked by Carcetti for two debates in episode one, he replies, "Two debates. Shit. That lost-ball-in-the-high-grass motherfucker Carcetti. He needs to get used to life in the wilderness." Carcetti's reasons may not be transparent, but Royce's are; and we see what Baltimore has been like under his administration, and, implicitly, how it will stay the same should he be reelected.
But for this entry. First, just for laughs (and to illustrate where real power lies in the Baltimore of the series), Senator Clay Davis:
Second: the scene we briefly talked about in class between Marlo and Michael:
1. My first question: in the scene above, knowing what a ruthless murderous man Marlo is, why would he let Michael go so easily? Why not punish Michael the way he has punished nearly everyone who crosses him (such as Lex)?
2. Isabel said in class today, "It's easier to respect Marlo Stanfield than Clarence Royce." In other words, it's easier to respect a cold-blooded drug dealing killer than a legitimate legally elected mayor. Agree or disagree with Isabel's statement, and say why you answer what you do.
3. We were talking--and will continue to do so--about the Baltimore of The Wire. What to you best describes the city that we see in the show--and why?
4. What in today's episode especially jumped out at you--what scene or moment or character or line of dialogue stayed with you so that even now, hours later, you still can see it in your mind or are thinking about it? And why?
Be sure to answer all these questions in 2-300 words.
1. I think Marlo saw something special in Michael. While all the other kids almost thoughtlessly took the money given to them, Michael thought the situation out and decided that he was better off not taking the money. Along with his intelligence, Michael is also very tough. When questioned and insulted by Marlo Stanfield, the king of the streets of Baltimore, Michael gives him a very defiant stare until Marlo backs down. Some people in class today said that Michael is obviously not cut out for the drug business. I disagree, I think Michael is perfect for it. He has all the winning attributes, tough, intelligent and brave. From what I can tell, he seems to be one of the exceptional individuals mentioned on the first day of class. I think that Marlo went easy on his punishment because he respected Michael and maybe saw a bit of himself in him.
ReplyDelete2. I think you can definitely respect Marlo more. Both are pretty bad characters, no doubt about it (though Royce did have a positive moment near the end of Season 3 when he was excited by Hamsterdam). Both profit from drugs and killing and both have an extremely negative impact on the neighborhoods of Baltimore. Marlo may be easier to respect because at least he is honest about what he is. He puts up no pretenses of being anything he’s not. Meanwhile, Royce pretends to care for the crime-ravaged neighborhoods when he really doesn’t care beyond how they might affect his power.
3. Corruption and selfishness are extremely prevalent in this city. We see this in all levels of the city, almost everyone places personal gain over what is the honest or right thing to do. We see this in the drug organizations (Avon betraying Stringer), MCU (Carver betraying the unit in order to get a promotion, Rhonda wanting to delay the subpoenas so she wouldn’t get demoted), and in the politics (the mayor protecting illegal actions by his friends to stay in power). While some of these actions may be understandable, when taken together they are preventing any establishment of a safe life for the majority of Baltimore’s citizens.
4. What really got me thinking and stuck in my mind was the parallel between Clay Davis and Randy. Both expressed sentiments about how they take money when it’s given to them (without thought of where it comes from) and both express anger or resentment when they get in trouble over it. The only difference is that Randy is just a poor kid and Clay Davis is a corrupt official who, no doubt, will be fine thanks to help from the mayor. Crime is present on all levels of society but only the lower class is targeted.
The Wire Post # 3
ReplyDeleteJohn DuBose
When Michael turns the money down, Marlo is smart enough to realize that there is a reason. He knows that Michael isn’t just a goody two shoes teenager that turns down the money because it came from selling drugs. Marlo is a notoriously powerful drug lord, and Michael knows that. It seems as if Marlo almost respects Michael now, because he had the bravery to not accept. Marlo knows that he is smart, and he didn’t kill him because he knew he could use him in the future. Marlo must’ve thought, “I need a man like this. Someone that can’t be bought and keeps their head on their shoulders. “Michael fits this description, and this is probably why Marlo let him live.
You can’t respect the mayor because he’s fooling around in his office and makes up statistics about crimes. It’s almost as if he doesn’t take it seriously. Marlo, on the other hand, is taking over the drug scene in Baltimore without killing every dealer. He is smart. He wins over the children, and you have to give him props for doing that. He knows that the kids are going to grow up and be a force in the city, so he makes sure they’re on his side. It’s genius. Even though you won’t agree with his morals, you have to respect him.
I think what best describes the city is when Dukie is seen at his house. It’s extremely bad conditions. But Namond has a really nice house. This shows the divide in between the city. There’s rich and poor, black and white, and cops and criminals. The city can have two opposites right next to each other and still be different worlds.
The scene that stuck with me the most was the cop taking the money from Randy. The cop knows that Randy won’t go home to his foster mother to say he got chased down by a cop. He’s probably keeping the money for himself, and that shows how corrupt the police force is. It’s depressing because the police are supposed to be the good guys, but that’s one thing the show does. It turns your perspective around.
I think Marlo lets Michael go because he is trying to make an impression on the young group of boys. He gives them two hundred dollars so that they respect him and owe him a favor in the future. He is recruiting the boys to work for him in the future. When Michael doesn’t take the money and stands up for his values, Marlo doesn’t punish him because he wants to keep the trust and relationship he has started with the other boys. Also, maybe he hopes to get Michael on his side eventually. Or, on a different note, he leaves Michael for now, but will maybe punish him in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statement that it is easier to respect Marlo than Royce. Although Marlo is a drug dealer and murderer, he has good business skills and he is making a living for himself. He is working hard. He also gives money out to the local kids, which is helpful to them. However, his intentions are selfish because he wants them to follow him in the future. Royce, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be working hard, he is taking advantage of the people of Baltimore, and he lies for power. I think another reason why Marlo is easier to respect than Royce is because he is working to provide for himself and to make a living. Royce doesn’t appear to have any goals besides having power and keeping his power. As strange as it might sound, Marlo, the drug dealer and murderer, seems to be more trustworthy and admirable than the lying and lazy Royce.
For me, the scene that best describes Baltimore is the scene where the mayoral debate was going on but Namond, his mom, and Cutty all switch the channel. The scene shows the class differences, the divide between the affluent and the poor, and how the poorer people don’t feel like they can trust the politicians or the people in charge. It emphasizes the divide within the city by showing how the poor people feel like spectators in the “game” of the system.
The scene that stood out to me the most was when Michael refused to take the money from Marlo. I was really impressed by how he decided what he wanted to do and stuck with it. He must be confident and brave to turn down two hundred dollars from a powerful drug lord and also go against what all of his friends did. I respect what he chose to do and his independence and the scene made me admire him as a character.
Evan Gold
ReplyDeleteI think that Marlo did not punish Michael because he respected him for not wanting to be affiliated the drug game. Marlo says “Ain’t no thang shorty, we cool.” This line makes me think that Marlo respects Michael’s decision. I also think he took pity on Michael because Michael is a kid and did not directly disrespect him.
I agree with Isabel’s statement. I think that I do not have very much respect for Royce because he runs a corrupt office. I also do not think he should be influencing police work to benefit him. I have more respect for Marlo, because he is just a poor man trying to make some money in the ghetto. If Marlo was not there, there would be someone just like him in his place.
There is a huge contrast in the city of Baltimore that we are shown. We see Carcetti’s house with its white picket fence and toys in the yard. Then the scene switches and we see Dookie’s house that is a quarter of the size and is in the slums.
The scene that really sticks in my mind is when all the teachers are talking and Pres asks, “Can we make a rule about chewing gum?” To which he gets the response, “We have been trying but if it’s a rule all of the teachers have to enforce it and I don’t see that happening.” I compare that with Paideia where the kids listen and obey (for the most part) anything a teacher asks and it just seems ridiculous that the school in The Wire has so little control over their students.
I think that while Marlo would gladly have taught Michael a lesson for not accepting his "gift," there were a variety of things holding him back. I think that the entire purpose of Marlo giving money to the kids was to get them on his side. If Marlo had had Michael punished like Lex and the others he would have lost any semblance of support from anyone who cared about Michael. In addition, as many have already said, Michael is an incredibly tough kid. Not only does he box, and apparently well, he also had the guts to stand up to marlo, something we haven't seen in any other character so far.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the statement, "It's easier to respect Marlo Stanfield than Clarence Royce" goes, I find it hard to disagree. With Marlo, you can clearly see a good deal of intelligence in his character, the hiding of the bodies, the bribing of middle school kids, although kind of messed up, are both effective techniques to get what he wants. He also works hard at what he does and profits from it. With Clarence Royce however, we can see that although he holds the semblance of a hard working man to the public, behind closed doors he is corrupt and lazy. In the debates in the mayoral race he clearly lies to the whole city about crime rates, he clearly is not anywhere near as clever or hard working as Marlo, a drug dealer.
To me the most simple and effective way to describe Baltimore is to just state that it is completely and horribly corrupt. The easiest way to make this point is to look at the kind of people that the cops are discovering breaking the law. You can easily see that many of the people suspected of breaking the law are directly connected with the Mayor of the very city that the police force is based in. This illustrates the horrible corruption that has seeped into even the highest tier of Baltimore politics.
I actually think the scene that stuck in my head the most is not exactly the most logical scene. I found that the variety of scenes involving carvers interactions with the characters on the streets. The fact that Carver is so connected with Bodie and the kids shows a great deal about the character of the Baltimore police. Carver is running a risky business in relying on Bodie to share information with him and the fact that he has not previously chosen to turn Bodie in for his crimes show a level of corruption even among some of our main protagonists.
1. He let him go because punishing Michael would defeat the purpose of giving the boys money. The boys would see him being cruel to their friend, and any loyalty and respect they had for him would be eradicated. He wants to win them over so later they will work for him or protect him. Michael saw through his ruse, but punishing him will not do anything to help Marlo.
ReplyDelete2. I see them as equally bad. They both campaign using money gotten illegally. Marlo’s campaign is not for voters, but for the young boys he gives money too.
Though the mayor is not brutal like Marlo, he makes up for that by being deceiving. He betrays his duty to his people who elected them, because he does not make Baltimore safer, and they he lies about it. They are both extremely successful, but they got that success immorally. It is impossible to respect them.
3. The Baltimore of the wire is divided between the wealthy and the poor. It is almost as if there is not one Baltimore but two: the white picket fence Baltimore, and Dukie’s Baltimore. The best way to describe it is segregated based on class.
4. The moment in which Senator Clay Davis says that if people give him free money, he doesn’t care where it comes from, reminded me of what one of the boys said to Michael when Michael questioned taking Marlo’s money. Senator Clay Davis reacted to the possibility that the money he profited from was gotten illegally in the same way that young boy did. This shows how childish he is, and thoughtless. It also emphasizes that their situations are not that different.
I think Marlo lets him go for quite a few reasons. First off, there's a sense of respect there. When Marlo asks if he's a punk they have a few seconds of a stare off. During this you can see that Marlo sees that Michael isn't a punk. Another reason is that if Marlo taught Michael "a lesson" then it would counteract his good deed. If all the kids saw Marlo going around beating up kids that wouldn't take his act of goodwill people wouldn't like that. Last off, Marlo realizes Michael doesn't want to become caught up in the drug world, and I think a part of him respects that. Marlo realizes Michael wants to better himself and get himself out of the hood.
ReplyDeleteI think that statement would be correct, Marlo would be the more lovable figure. He follows through with what he says, because on the street your word is your respect. Meanwhile, the mayor constantly says he will reform, but all he has done is hid the crime from the rest of the city. Marlo is smarter than the mayor too, he hides the bodies and tries to buy the younger generation over. The mayor on the other hand is not so smart. When Carcetti attacks him for hiding the crime rates all he can do is stammer and stutter.
The Baltimore shown in this show is full of greed and corruption. Throughout the two episodes we have seen these have been two very prevalent themes. In the mayoral race the current mayor tries to hide the crime rates. Not only that, he also gets illegal money and doesn't care as long as he is getting support. On the street it's every man for himself, people are in gangs but they can go rogue too.
The scene that stuck with me the most is the scene where the kid steals the SUV. I just thought it was funny as poop, the way he rolled up with the bass booming.I just thought it was a strange scene to have in the middle of all this drama, it was sort of a comedic respite.
I think Marlo does not punish Michael because he understands Michael’s opposition to the entire drug culture and he respects that. With Lex and the other nameless victims, they were involved with the system (well I can only definetly say that for Lex not knowing Marlo’s other victims), but Michael is refusing to partake in any part of the system. Also we discussed in class that Marlo was buying the kids loyalty when they grew up and began working for him, but Michael clearly has no intention to do so thus Marlo has no purpose with him but no problem with him either also I think Marlo recognizes the intelligence in Michael’s decision because Marlo is trying to gain control of the kids and Michael does not fall for his ploy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Isabel’s statement because it is about respect not admiration because I do not truly like either of the character’s but I feel like Marlo clearly has a goal and job and does it. The mayor is just holding onto power through “cheap” ploys. It may be unfair to say but Marlo follows the rules of his world to get power whereas the mayor breaks them. Marlo inhabits the drug world where following the law is not the moral code but the mayor represents that law but he also ignores it in order to gain money so he can maintain his position.
I think the school best represents Baltimore because of the line, “nothing around this place works” and also the inability of the principals to find teachers to fill the positions in order to make the school function. I think this can be brought onto the larger scale in Baltimore as the city does not have enough decent people to focus on the cities true problems. Finally, the discussion between the teachers about allowing students to fall asleep so they do not cause problems also adheres with police forces seeming to let certain things “slide” in order to maintain the overall order.
The image of Dukie opening the window and acting so calmly when the girl arrives to drop off clothes for him even though we can clearly see he does not live in normal circumstances really stuck with me. I think because Dukie tries to live his life normally even though his parents are junkies and are clearly not taking care of him. Dukie’s calmness showed that this was a normal occurrence and I think realizing that this was his home life really changed my view of how the other characters (especially Naymond who constantly picks on him) treat him.
I think that Marlo had some respect for Michael not taking the money, and because of that he did not punish Michael. He confronts Michael on why he didn’t take the money and even tests Michael saying he was a “bitch-ass punk”. Michael then looked Marlo in his eyes and showed no fear. They had a short starring battle and Marlo saw that Michael had courage. Marlo being this big drug lord and killer most likely was surprised or wasn’t use to that type of bravery and saw something in Michael. Marlo possibly could plot to punish Michael but I highly doubt that would happen because Marlo saw that Michael was a smart kid, unlike his homies, and showed courage, which Marlo probably respects.
ReplyDeleteI would say I agree with her comment, although it is hard to respect both of these mischievous individuals. I would agree that it is a little easier to respect Marlo than Royce because Royce is ultimately a liar. He lies to get power and definitely has a negative affect on the people of Baltimore and it’s neighborhoods. Marlo on the other hand has a negative affect on the streets of Baltimore but he is easier to respect because he doesn’t fool around with his job. He is real & is ultimately a hard worker. The best way I would describe the Baltimore of The Wire is that it is very corrupt. As we talked about in class, there is the rich or wealthy part of Baltimore and then the very poor part of Baltimore. There are two types of living conditions and the ones that we see are Dukie’s, which was very poor. Then there is the “white picket fence” in which Carcetti lived. There were two scenes that stuck out to me. The first one was the black cop taking the boys money. I felt that he had a right to take the money but I also felt that he should give the money back or at least half of it. I guess that’s another example of the corruption of the city. The other was Michael saying no to Marlo’s money. I was very surprised that he did not take the money but I later realized that he was very smart in knowing that if he took the money he was going to owe Marlo some type of loyalty.
1. The reason Marlo lets Michael go so easily is because he sees potential in him. Marlo realizes this kid is smart and strong. He understands that if he plays his cards right Michael could be a serious addition to his team. He does not want to anger Michael, but rather keep him in his good side.
ReplyDelete2. I do agree with the statement. I also believe that the creators of the show did that intentionally. Marlo Stanfield is just trying to make a living. He is doing what he knows how to do, and he is doing a darn good job at it if you ask me. Royce on the other hand is the Mayor of this city. His job is help and protect the people of Baltimore. If the allegations that Carcetti has made about him are true then it doesn’t appear that he is doing that. When he ran for this job he knew what he was getting into. He wasn’t born into a situation where he had little choice but to become mayor. No, that was Stanfield.
3. The show as focused more on the poorer areas, so we don’t get a very even view of what the whole city is like. But from what we know we can tell that the city seems to have a clear divide between the poor community and the more affluent people.
4. The moment of this episode that stuck out to me was right after Namond comes home and sees all his new clothes. He walks down the stairs and his mother makes some comments along the lines of, “I won’t have my boy showing up to school in old clothes.” The next part is what struck me. Instead of saying thank you or giving her a hug Namond does something different. Namond purses his lips and kisses at her. The gesture to me seemed almost condescending. I can’t explain why, but when it happened it just surprised me. It is almost as if he’s already being taught at a early age to look down at people. As if he is living off the philosophy “In order to be at the top you have to act like you are at the top.”
1. I think that Marlo let Michael off so easily because it was apparent that Michael did not mean any initial harm. Also, on the surface what person is going to be mad that someone is not taking their money, it is more for them. Yet, I also think Marlo realized that killing Michael could have really bad repercussions, worse than Lex or whoever else he has punished. Marlo is smart enough to pick his targets, and not get caught, and with Michael he could possibly get caught. Michael also stood his ground with Marlo, which must have stood out. I think there is a certain respect that is there with Marlo and Michael. I think Marlo is now interested in Michael and what he is all about, because he acts differently than the rest and that is intriguing
ReplyDelete2. I agree with Isabel’s statement, because Marlo gets what he needs to do done, without any back talk or really anyone talking down to him when something goes wrong. Unlike Clarence Royce, that has so many people dictating his moves and what he can do. Also, Royce has two different faces, one for the public, and one for the private, and personally I cannot respect a person who lives a double life. Marlo is straight and honest to the public and private about what he does, and he has no issue with that. Thus, I think it is a fair statement to say that it is easier to respect Marlo, because he obtains more honesty than Royce.
3. What best describes the Baltimore city of The Wire, is a city full of hustlers. I believe that the way Baltimore is depicted in The Wire is by a city full of people that are playing a game, and attempting to hustle it. I believe this because from the mayoral race, to Bubbles on the street they are all hustling (although for different things). Carcetti is hustling by getting dirt on his opponent, Herc is hustling by keeping quite about what he knows about Royce, and Bubbles is hustling because of his need for dope. Everyone in the city of Baltimore is hustling and just playing the game to get what they want.
4. The scene today that stuck out the most to me was when Namond comes home, and he sees all those clothes on his bed that his mom gave him. It was defiantly a nice gesture, but I think it is not teaching Namond anything or really enforcing any values for him. Although people like to look good, looking good is not the total reason why kids go to school, yet when your mother only buys you clothes and no supplies it might look like that. This scene just really stuck with me, because it made me think Namond was just a punk, and it made me really understand a partial reason as to why kids do not value school.
I think that Marlo lets Michael go because punishing him would erode his support among the boys. Marlo gives the kids money so that they will be indebted to him, but also so they will think he is a kind person. Clearly, the kids would not like him as much if he were to hurt Michael, as the boys are more loyal to Michael than they are to Marlo. Marlo could easily rule through fear instead, but he seems to be consciously taking a different approach, possibly to draw the boys to him instead of trapping them. Though the boys end up stuck either way, I think his approach makes the boys less likely to leave his industry because they feel like it is their choice to be there or they owe something to Marlo.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Isabel's statement. Marlo and Royce are both the leaders of their respective worlds, and they govern differently. Royce is supposed to operate through purely legal channels, but his leadership is ineffective because he is concerned only for himself. The real injustice is that he pretends that he is working for the people, even as he lies to them throughout his reelection campaign. Marlo rules his streets effectively. Everyone around him either respects or fears him, and he rules honestly. He is brutal and violent, but he isn't fake. The politics of the city is one giant game where the people always seem to lose. Marlo and the other drug dealers don't buy into the government's game. He plays his own game according to his own rules, and he plays it well. I have to respect that. He doesn't buy into the system, so he is smart enough to invent his own and rule a world that Royce chooses to ignore because he is incapable of besting Marlo.
Baltimore is a city where everyone is looking out for his or her own best interests. This is clear in the political world, where most candidates rehearse whatever they need to say to get power, ignoring the truth when it is inconvenient. Those in the drug trade each do what it takes to ensure their survival. In the first episode, we saw Namond run away as his friend was being beat up, because even at a young age, the boys are learning that everyone is on their own in this world. I did see some hope for the kids when Namond gave his job to Michael simply because the other boy needed the money more. Yet even the school teachers seem to be doing damage control. The major exception I have seen so far is Prez, and while I don't know much about him yet, he does seem to idealistically think he can turn around his classroom and maybe the school by getting the kids to respect him.
The moment that stuck with me was the scene when Namond went to visit his father in jail and his father encouraged him to work hard for Bodie. This confused me at first, because his father, who became heavily involved in the drug world, payed for his illegal activities, and he'll never leave jail. It seemed to me like he would encourage his son to find other opportunities and not wind up where he is. But I suppose it actually makes sense, because as we discussed earlier, the drug world works, and the legal world doesn't. From that perspective, political leaders are ineffective liars, and drug dealers are rich and respected. With this in mind, it seems unlikely that most of the boys would be motivated to leave even if they had the opportunity.
1. Marlo may be a ruthless, murderous man, but he is not stupid. He knows that if he punishes Michael, all of his friends will be afraid and not like Marlo. That would make the $200 he gave the kids amount to nothing. The reason is so they feel gratitude so they feel indebted later. He is a smart guy. He is setting things up before they amount to anything.
ReplyDelete2.I think Marlo is easier to respect than the mayor, Royce because Marlo is a man who doesn't hide what he does from anyone but the cops, whereas Royce is a lying politician, just trying to retain power and money. He doesn't care about public safety like he claims he does.
3.I think the more poor section of the city more defines Baltimore because of what we see and what the debate was about. The streets are unsafe, and there are murders quite frequently. The other side of town, (Carcetti's part of town) is an image of a perfectly crime-free town, however that is only one example of this type of city. The Classroom we see destroyed helps reinforce my previous thoughts as well.
4. The scene where michael declined the $200 was my favorite scene because it showed how strong his morals were. It made me ask myself if i could turn down free money like that, even when i don't need it that badly. This scene made michael one of my favorite characters.
First of all several factors go into Marlo's "merciful" behavior towards Michael. Michael's age has something to do with it. The overarching reason is that not because of appearance, Marlo could kill of michael without anyone knowing about it, but that Marlo acknowledges that Michael has legitimacy to his refusal. Marlo makes a living off getting people high and killing and i'd bet that even Marlo knows that it's an evil business. Michael has ever right to refuse to accept blood money. There seems to be a respect though one sided from Marlo to Michael. Marlo's face right after he figures out why the kid won't take his money registers not only understanding, but respect. Respect for a street kid standing up to the drug kingpin of Baltimore. There is value to the courage that Michael shows in standing up for what he believes and Marlo isn't stupid. He sees it.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with Isabel's statement about who is easier to respect Marlo than Clarence Royce and some of the other major politicians in the series so far. Marlo is a killer and drug dealer, but everyone knows this. There is no doubt as to what his intentions are or what he wants out of the street. Marlo so far is a character that is pretty easy to understand. The politicians on the other hand are devious, corrupted, and liars. They seem to hide behind the banner of wanting to good while their agenda may be something completely different. This isn't a secret. It's common knowledge that the main incentive of mayor, to many perhaps, is the promise of power. In these circumstances it doesn't matter what the politician as opposed to the drug dealer do for a living (although there is an argument that they are both just as evil).
The moment when Carcetti is in the park and is kicked out by the police officer for being drunk. The park is gorgeous, but that beauty is tainted by the inefficiency of the police symbolic of many other problems in the city finds him. Baltimore is place capable of great good while conversely has the potential for people like snoop, chris, and Marlo to operate. It's a place where Michael can stand up to a druglord and get respect for it at the same time averages a homicide daily.
When Carcetti is playing battleship with his daughter. That is the moment that stuck out to me today. Carcetti tells his campaign manager that the board game is the only one that he has a chance of winning, he would rather spend time on it rather than the campaign. Only after he gives up politically, does he start doing better in his Campaign. He outtalks Clarence at the debate. Perhaps since he loses the animalistic drive for power by realizing he can't win gave him a little more transparency. He can truly say what he wants to with the weight of the campaign off his back and this honesty is legitimate as opposed to the other candidates political bullshit.
Michael is different from the other boys. He is street smart, brave, and strong willed. I think that Marlo respected Michael at some level, which is of course, very unusual for a powerful man such as himself. I can see the other boys getting caught up in the negative parts of their life, whereas I think Michael will go far. Whether he becomes a successful drug dealer, mayor, or enforcer, he is so strong that it sets him apart from the other kids.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Isabel said. Wait, I am Isabel. But seriously, I said this because while Marlo Stanfield is a drug dealer, which automatically classifies him as a “bad person” in my mind, he is respectable. For one thing, Marlo is obviously intelligent and he has made a good living out of a bad situation. On the other hand, drug dealing is of course, immoral. However, while I really dislike what Marlo does with his talents, I respect him for his abilities as a leader and strong individual. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Royce holds an admirable position in a public office but he is difficult to respect as a man. He is corrupt and his intentions are not good even though he pretends to look out for Baltimore. He is in a position of great power and he abuses it. I cannot respect his apparent intentions or character from what I know about him now. While one man appears respectable, his character is weak, and the other man with a less respectable job is strong.
Baltimore is interesting to me. In some ways it reminds me of Atlanta. However, the economic situation is much weaker than the booming business in our own city. If I had to describe Baltimore I would say that it is worn thin. There is no vibrancy of life. Things are physically grey, and the feeling of the town is similar to how it looks. People are doing their best to scrape by, there aren’t many jobs, and the government is corrupt.
The final scene jumped out at me the most. For some reason Namond playing video games instead of watching the debate stuck with me. Perhaps it is because in my own life, I often feel tempted to escape into another world, rather than face my own. It is easier to watch a happy comedy than the news. And sometimes I prefer the easy route. And as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that I really should be more aware of the world around me. I should be fully informed about global politics, the presidential race, the economy, etc. I want to be educated and conscious. But I can identify with the desire to do something else, or disregard something as important as the mayoral debate on the show. The scene made me sad because I realized that he was passing by a chance to be more informed about his life.