Book “The Code of the Street questions
Order Description
5.2 Discussion – The Code of the Street
After reading pages 107-141 and 179-325 in Anderson’s Code of the Street, write of discussion post of at least 2 paragraphs responding to the following questions:
According to Anderson, why is the drug economy so important? How do drug markets help to create/increase violence involving their participants and non-participants who reside nearby? Why are economic changes and conditions so important to understanding the presence of drug markets? Why was the introduction of crack particularly important for the community?
What roles do grandmothers play in some families? How have these roles changed with the introduction of crack?
What does it mean to “see but don’t see”? Why do many people “see but don’t see” instead of calling the police? Why do “old heads” and others hesitate to get involved when they see crime and violence occur? Why don’t people contact the police or assist them with their investigations? How do the police seem to view the community residents and violence victims?
According to Anderson, what are some of the appropriate ways to act to avoid being robbed? If one is robbed what are some of the things one should do? What are some of the things one should not do? What are the benefits of robbery for the offender?
Why does the possibility of a violent death not seem to not matter to some people? How does the community react when homicide does occur?
What does Anderson mean by the “decent daddy”? What role does the decent daddy play for his family? That is, why is he important? Why don’t more of the biological fathers become “decent daddys” (or, what is required to become a “decent daddy”)?
For those individuals who try to become role models in the community after previously having been involved in crime (e.g., Robert), how do others respond? What are some of the difficulties they face in trying to make such changes?
For each of the above Anderson questions, consider the implications of both the proximate factors and, where appropriate, the broader role of
a. Racism, discrimination and exclusion from mainstream society
b. poverty
c. lack of economic opportunities (i.e., beyond the occasional minimum wage or less job)