Race concepts and social dimensions

Race

The Problems of Race & the Myths of Urban Poverty

Race is a social construct. There is exists very little genetic difference among the various "races" of humans on Earth. This construct is central to many, and perhaps even most people on our planet. Race is a physical difference that draws clearly defined boundaries between people. Race can be the inspiration for war. Race is hardly an inspiration for peace, unfortunately. This paper will briefly examine situations when race has been used to hurt and subordinate others. This paper will reference examples of groups of people that are systematically via the social realms and institutions who suffer due to their race, an aspect over which they had no choice or say. Drawing from the series, The Wire, and a few readings, the paper will propose what the myths of urban poverty are, who are the authors of such myths, and how the myths are distributed and subsequently absorbed into culture.

The Wire was and still is a popular dramatic series produced by the Home Broadcasting Office (HBO). The show's setting is Baltimore, Maryland, the state neighboring Washington D.C. The primary focus of the show is the interaction between the police force and groups of organized crime, namely the organization/family, Barksdale. Baltimore, in reality, can be a harsh place and an unforgiving city. While there are elements of The Wire that are based in fact, it is not safe for the audience to believe that the lifestyle portrayed in the show is the lifestyle practiced by all those in Baltimore, or all African-Americans in Baltimore. There are intelligent audience members that exist who are sophisticated enough to understand that what is on television is not wholly truthful. The style in which the show is shot and produced gives the narratives and characters a realistic feel. This "real" aesthetic can be confusing or misleading to some audience members, making them think there is more reality at work in the show than there actually is. Such aesthetics and beliefs contributed to and/or breed myths of urban poverty.

The creator of the show, David Simon, is a former writer for one of Maryland's most well circulated newspapers, The Baltimore Sun. Simon has additionally authored two books about Baltimore (Atlas, 2010) Ed Burns, another head writer for the show and actor, is a former teacher in Baltimore and former Baltimore Cop. (Atlas, 2010) Therefore, the paper does not contend that the show is a complete falsehood, as a primary draw to the series is the attention to detail and reconstruction of "true" Baltimore reality. It is the assumption that the life shown on the show is the only life that exists for people of color not just in Baltimore, but in America and perhaps the world in general. Of course, even the most media illiterate audience member is aware of African-American superstars such as Beyonce or Kanye West, yet the audience thinks these kinds of African-Americans are the rare case, and likely, these rare cases came from backgrounds depicted in the show. It is no secret that many famous African-American stars boast of their impoverish backgrounds as a way to commemorate their current achievements, such as Jay Z (former heroin dealer), Notorious B.I.G. (former marijuana and crack dealer), or 50 Cent (former drug dealer and gun shot victim).

It is also difficult to contend and battle urban mythos of poverty in regards to race when one can see the urban myth playing in front of one's eyes. The example of "Kyesha's Dilemma" (Newman, 2001) is a stark reality for many African-Americans. How can people of color or people of other marginalized groups fight against myths of urban poverty when for her, it is not a myth, it is a reality. It is a reality for many of the people in Kyesha's life. The myths of urban poverty are fairly static. African-Americans are born poor and they remain poor for their lifetimes. There is little mention of how various institutions are problematic when interacting and servicing people of color. Or if there is mention, those outside of the myth argue that people of color are "lazy," "doomed," or blame others instead of taking responsibility.