What The Wire Has Taught Me...

[Part 2] 

I've been sitting on a handful of ideas as of late. Articles even. Its been difficult to put them in one place. I won't bore you with how unexciting my life is with work and extracurriculars, but know that there are still fingers typing on this end. There are still ideas being brewed, some not immediately shot down [by me].

I could have posted another gaming-related article [seems like there's been a shortage of them since my television died a couple weeks back]. I could have posted another review of something you may have already read or watched in the ether that is pop-culture. However, as of this summer, something magical has happened.

I went outside.

I began collecting stories from friends and friends of friends. All of them seemed to rely on what we remember from our childhoods. All seem to be devoid of politics [directly] and reliant on how we treated each other in regards to community events. Remember having to do your homework before going over a friend's house?

I think the Wire was the last show I watched that encapsulated stories such as the ones I've been collecting. In the above link we hear the show's creator, David Simon, talk about what inspired him to craft the show. Some of it gets very political, because politics [whether we like it or not] effects our daily lives in some way.

Politics are strickly verboten here on the site. I make exceptions every now and again if its something that moves me.

Oh yeah, the title, "What The Wire Has Taught Me...". I actually didn't have a clever way to put this clip on the site. Nor do I have a segway into promoting the Wire. Chances are, if you haven't seen it now, you probably never will.

I will say the show has reminded me of where I come from. Parts, at least. The Wire serves as this body of work that I can sit any of my friends down, from any socio-economic background, and have a meaty conversation. Arguments, sometimes. It's a show that warrants argument.

Much like the Wire, the conversation Moyers and Simon have, I take minor issues with. Issues I'd like to yell and jaw about. Personally, I think if you are below a certain income-level the political process of election is absolutely worthless to you. Simon 'kinda-sorta' feels this way, but his feelings [angst] on the current American political climate seems very current and recent. 

I feel it's always been this way. The sad thing is, I'm [kinda] okay with that. Simon isn't. I think something terrible needs to happen for a genuine community to rise. Its happened with the upper-class. It has happened with the working-class. Personally, I'd rather argue and build with my neighbor than a politician. Again, that's me.

Enjoy the interview and leave comments if you feel compelled.

Thanks to PBS for providing the video.