The Code of the Streets: Its Strengthening of the Vicious Circle of Poverty

For many years inner city communities that mostly contain minorities have been run by a set of informal and unwritten rules that are known by all inhabitants as the “Code of the Streets”. The code instills some structure in a inner city setting that is filled with desperation and aggression resulting from some of the poorest living conditions witnessed around the nation. With so much aggression comes along the strong presence of violence, which seems to go hand in hand with the code of the streets. The presence of the code has instilled a vicious circle of violence and defiance towards the culture of mainstream America. To be honest I think this circle would still be present even if the code was not present due to that it is human nature for one to revolt against an institution that prides itself of freedom and prosperity for all. Yet it seems as though the individuals with in these troubled inner cities have been bypassed and left out of mainstream America. Thus leaving them to have no choice but to go against what they can’t go along with.

Anderson in the reading talks about how there are two different types of families with in these inner cities that become trapped in this vicious circle. Decent families are those who are making great efforts to accept mainstream values and to instill those values in their children. These types of families are witnessed to judge themselves upon the mainstream code of conduct upheld throughout society. On the other hand there also are Street families that have given into the code due to physical and emotional distress experienced during their lifetime. These families instill the code in their children and make great efforts to judge themselves in accordance to the code. Although every situation is unique and different I think the main difference between these types of families is one’s recognizing of the environment they are being brought up in and their persistence to ensure that later in life or that their children will have better. Indeed the environment one grows up in has a substantial influence on progression, but it is possible to work oneself out of the problems associated within inner cities.

The idea and persistence of bringing oneself out brings into the picture the prevalent idea of this vicious circle. The idea involves decent families trying to adapt to mainstream culture, but the racism they encounter keeps them within the circle. Racism not only keeps them within, but also diminishes one’s spirits and brings about anger that leads one to comply with oppositional culture. This situation is present all throughout the United States and more specifically in cities that we have read about such as East St. Louis and Camden. One can see how the insufficient living environment and lack of education continuously knocks down those who are repeatedly getting back on their feet but in essence are going nowhere.

These living conditions allow the street type of family to carry out in its own manner by emphasizing violence and the code as a result of joblessness and persistent racism. Although one can see the wrong in this type of family I think one can also come to see the reasoning behind it. How can one get themselves to conform to a society that has left it out to suffer and die? That even if one is to conform it is not nearly safe to say that him or her will be able to escape the circle of poverty and racism. I feel that the code of the streets is the only way of life for most in these inner cities and that by following it many are making their voices heard by society. I think one can even go onto saying that the racism felt by those within inner cities and their lack of hope for the future legitimizes their strong emphasis on the code.

As witnessed for many years and still today the idea of the code of the streets has been portrayed as the dark side of American society and one that is filled with violence. But in actuality I think one could take on the perspective that it is a unification of those who have been racial discriminated against to the point where their physical and emotional environments are nothing but scraps and waste. A unification that stands against a mainstream society that allows for individuals of its community to live a life of hopelessness and disparity with in Americas inner cities. In the end it comes down to what is it going to take for this vicious circle to be broken so that all members of society can enjoy freedom and prosperity.

Boundaries: Those We Can See and The Ones We Choose To Ignore

When thinking about the idea that boundaries are more than just physical I think that there are many different point of views in which you can address it from and all seem to show interconnections to social and cultural boundaries. I think overall when engaging upon the topic of immigration one must go about defining the so-called “problem” at hand. Looking back in America’s history we are a society that is quick to act on a situation that is not in our favor or out of the normal, but not necessarily a problem by other’s standards. We have proclaimed that immigration negatively impacts our country due to that immigrants take our jobs and are free riders when it comes to obtaining benefits. I think this prevalent idea that immigrants are taking our jobs does have some truth to it, but that doesn’t mean it is good or bad. We as a society have praised that America is the land of the free and home of the brave. A place where all individuals have the ability to chase the American dream and live a life of prosperity. So how can we criticize and claim immigrants cause problems when they are indeed just like those who have built our country to where it stands today. I recently read an article in the New York Times relating to the status of U.S. border patrol in the southern U.S. along Mexico. The author spoke about how the smuggling of illegal drugs and guns is an increasing problem due to the high demand being fronted by Americans on U.S. soil. One can easily see that this not only affects the safety with in the U.S., but also hurts Mexican immigrants wanting to obtain entry into America. Mexican immigrants now face a stronger physical barrier relating to heightened U.S. border patrol, but also social barriers as a result of newly acclaimed stereotypes. Stereotypes that depict Mexican immigrants as those who are trying to bring harm to America by smuggling drugs and weapons. We as a society have to realize that this activity is also occurring within our own cities and that this rising problem is a result of our actions. One must realize we have no social right to deny many of the Mexican immigrants entry to our country. Many of which are seeking entry out of desperation to survive or to make a better life for themselves. I also think the real problem is that Americans have become desensitized to the idea that life in America has always been prosperous. American society has come to adapt the point of view of how can I achieve success with putting in the least amount of effort. With the advancements in technology and fast paced lifestyles we have lost sight of the reality that the only way to prosper is through hard work and dedication. A reality that many immigrants know and willingly support as their reasoning for migrating to a place where such opportunities are available.

To solve problems, such as immigration, we tend to go about it two ways in which we address a problem with a public policy or we allow our public policy to create the vision of our problem. This is where I think the idea of boundaries comes into play in that boundaries are created due the solutions we provide to our problems. For instance after World War II when many immigrants were brought to the U.S. to do work in factories and then once the work was done our government began deporting them back. One can see that a physical boundary was set in that immigrants were not allowed to remain in America to live and work. But one cannot help to think that the policy we instilled not only created this physical boundary, but also a social boundary throughout American society. Our solution created this vision for many Americans that immigrants negatively impacted our work force due to their overpowering presence. When in reality, back then and in the present, immigrants account for a substantial amount of the American work force. A work force that allows for the continued success and prosperity witnessed here within America.

I also think that physical boundaries not only create, but they seem to strengthen the intangible social and cultural boundaries of society. Social and cultural boundaries can exist, but as many Americans do one can allow themselves to believe they are not there or are have little significance. The policies we offer and physical boundaries that are created as a result bring these intangible boundaries to reality and make them seem as concrete as the policy itself. One can go onto think about how this knowingly affects immigrants who are kept out, but also affects those who are already accepted with in American society. Although those with in society are not affected by the physical boundary the social and cultural boundaries seem just as concrete and prevalent. Public policy keeping immigrants out clearly portrays to many with in that they are not truly welcome and lead them to question what makes me any different from those who are denied access. A question that most Americans should too ask themselves in which many will answer it is due to a mere problem of overcrowding. Well I think since we pride ourselves so highly on technology and education wouldn’t it seem reasonable for someone to provide a suitable solution for all to live comfortably. I think the American society has to realize that by setting physical boundaries you are not only out casting those pleading for entry, but you are also socially and culturally out casting those already with in our country. Essentially we are socially and culturally out casting individuals that truly make America the great country it is. I think American society has to resurface the respect for diverse groups and individuals due to their unique culture and talents that make this great country so prosperous.

American Society Content with False Sense of Equality

During week three of lecture we discussed the topics of whiteness and how America has become blind to the colorism with in society. American society has now taken upon the belief that race no longer shapes ones mobility in life and that all have an equal opportunity. We also went into detail about how hierarchies and certain privileges have developed out of America’s color blindness. One can go on to think about how our perception of race in the U.S. enables us, but also how it constrains us in political, social, and personal aspects.

I think that society’s color blindness in some ways, however very little, enables individuals in regards to overcoming America’s long history of racism and discrimination. I think that for many people it is a way to comfort themselves into justifying that what happened in the past is being made up for in the present with allowing equal opportunities for all races. That many allow themselves to think equality has been achieved to make up for the mistakes of that past. Along with emphasizing that the society we now live in is less stressful and more pleasurable social environment. Although it is evident that color blindness constrains society more than enables this sense of comfort in my eyes is a positive. I say this solely due to that America has to get over the past and I’m not saying forget the past, but live and learn. There is a false sense of equality that is providing this comfort, but personal growth and progress has to start somewhere.

I think that society’s color blindness mostly constrains us on both political and personal levels with in America. I think that Leslie Carr couldn’t have said it better than she did by stating, “Color blindness is not the opposite of racism; it is another form of racism” (Gallagher 108). Although some may see it contradictory to what I said above, on a personal level I also think that allowing oneself to believe that society now is on an equal playing field is just running from the fact that racism still exists. That one's comfort from believing equality has been achieved cannot, in no way, overshadow the reality that society is running from the problem of racism. Not only thinking that equality has been achieved, but many also allow themselves to bring about reverse racism. One can see this in the example from the reading when it talks about how blacks have their own Miss America Pageant. Many speaking out that it is racist for blacks to have their own pageant when they are already allowed to participate in the “white” people’s Miss America Pageant. This scenario just supports that we as a society are hiding from the reality that racism still exists.

On a political level I think as we continue to hide behind our color blindness we as a society are increasing the gap between achieving true equality. Color blindness masks any discussion of public white supremacy and has allowed society to think of themselves as racially tolerant. I think that as whites of society continue to think that equality has been achieved then in return it allows them to perceive themselves as being politically progressive. Essentially the white individuals of society are growing in political power due to their fairy tale advancements in racial equality, but when in reality minorities are losing the very little power they have left. I think this can be seen in how many have this idea that since white individuals are willing to allow racial equality that minorities have to abide under whites terms of achieving it. I think that this idea is prevalent in society in that racial minorities are expected to mirror the cultural and social routines of a white society. While just simply ignoring the experiences of racism that have brought racial minorities to the status they currently reside at today.

Essentially I think that America’s color blindness gives many a false sense of reality that allows for many to be content with the way society is. Meanwhile this content attitude masks the underlying reality of prevalent racism and society’s regression from achieving true equality for all.

Science: Not Enough to Define Race

During week one we began to discuss how race is a social construct, in which led many American’s into recognizing the concept of race as a biological fact. After reading the article “The Race Myth” by Graves I came to realize that like most Americans I have created this perception that race has always existed. Graves makes an excellent point when he talks about how he asked students when biological race came about and most responded by stating that it was a result due to a certain historical event of the past (Graves XXV). When in reality no one knows exactly when or how the concept of race came about. I think it is evident that it’s human nature to try to solve or at least gain more information about the unknowns in life. Here in America I think we especially emphasize this due to our dominant role in scientific research and reliance on science for approval and disproval. The creation of the concept of race is similar to that of the creation of life on earth in that science can only takes us so far then nonfactual reasoning is given to describe both. I think that if one is to reason about creation, which is poor science in itself, then one cannot possibly reason how to divided races or the concept of race itself. Not only when it began, but also how American’s perception of the concept of race as biological fact remains unjustified according to Graves (Graves XXX).

Graves also makes a good point in that many equate differences in geographic regions to differences in genes. As a society we do focus heavily on external physical characteristics to determine race when in reality genetic variation is minimal between and within races. Physical characteristics are only a small portion of an individual’s genes and thus one cannot clearly determine race by dividing up genetic variation. I also think that due to some groups of people having physical characteristics adapted for their geographic region does not determine their race. These adapted characteristics are simply to allow them to be more fit for their living environment and makes them no different than any other individual on the planet.

I also agree with Grave’s statement of that using physical characteristics to determine race is invalid due to that there would have to be a distinct independent lineage that can be followed back in history (Graves 8). Which there isn’t due to that throughout history humans were never isolated from mixing genetically with other humans. Dividing humans into races is not in any way similar to dividing animals into species. Simply due to the presence of different species of animals mating and producing offspring and humans only reproducing with other humans. One can also go into thinking about how humans have migrated to different geographic regions since the beginning of our time on Earth. These migrations have led to regions that are inhabited by a variety of people from all around the world. Thus eventually these diverse individuals, with in this region, then reproduce and their offspring are more diverse genetically than they were. The mixing of parental genes through countless generations and between people from all around the world makes it impossible to tract a distinct lineage and impractical to define a race based upon unclear biological history.

In conclusion I think that what I mainly took away from the readings and lecture is that science is only one way and not a very good way of describing race. One must create a mixture of all science, social, and cultural opinions to define ones race. I also think that even though having different races seems unjustified it is inevitable in today’s society. Yet as a society we must recognize classifying people with in a race will only have a negative impact if we choose to allow people to misuse classification.