Vicious Cycle

[sheshe2]

David Simon on the Zimmerman verdict:

Behold, the lewd, pornographic embrace of two great American pathologies: Race and guns, both of which have conspired not only to take the life of a teenager, but to make that killing entirely permissible. I can’t look an African-American parent in the eye for thinking about what they must tell their sons about what can happen to them on the streets of their country. Tonight, anyone who truly understands what justice is and what it requires of a society is ashamed to call himself an American.

http://davidsimon.com/trayvon/

It is worth listening to Mr. Simon because he has documented the ongoing shame of what is happening in urban America in The Wire. The truth, as Anthony Hamilton says, "Ain't nobody worryin" about all that.
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/07/vicious-cycle.html

The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002, and ended on March 9, 2008, comprising 60 episodes over five seasons.

Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. In chronological order they are: the illegal drug trade, the seaport system, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of character actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals. Whether one is a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer, all are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution to which they are committed."

Despite only receiving modest ratings and never winning major television awards, The Wire has been described by many critics as one of the greatest TV dramas of all time and is the fourth highest rated TV series on IMDb. The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life, its literary ambitions, and its uncommonly deep exploration of sociopolitical themes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_wire

Except for when vigilantes appropriate this reality to justify arming themselves to racially profile any black teen who dares to invade the sanctity of their gated communities. And when an innocent teenager winds up dead and his killer acquitted, all of a sudden it becomes a justification...something "they" should be worryin about. Its a vicious cycle that locks the privileged out of responsibility for any of it.
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/07/vicious-cycle.html


One more quote from Mr. Simon:

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2007
Simon: On the End of the American Empire

The Wire is certainly an angry show. It’s about the idea that we are worth less. And that is an unreasonable thing to contemplate for all of us. It is unacceptable. And none of us wants to be part of a world that is going to do that to human beings. If we don’t exert on behalf of human dignity at the expense of profit and capitalism and greed, which are inevitability, and if we can’t modulate them in some way that is a framework for an intelligent society, we are doomed. It is going to happen sooner than we think. I don’t know what form it will take. But I know that every year America is going to be a more brutish and cynical and divided place.


I think Simon is both prescient and prophetic in his analysis of our situation. He leaves us with a dilemma that is at least as much personal, social and even spiritual as it is political. He does not claim to have the answers to this dilemma, nor do I. But, as "The Wire" demonstrates, we are creating a jungle mentality in service of this god of capitalism. There is certainly impending doom if we can't find a way to begin to place human dignity FOR ALL above profit, capital, and greed.

http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2007/12/on-behalf-of-human-dignity.html

http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/07/vicious-cycle.html

More at the links.

[Scurrilous]

1. Thanks.

K & R

[Cha]

2. mahalo for this, she.. I saw David Simon's statement on the verdict

earlier today. And, thought it was just brilliant.

“If I were a person of color in Florida, I would pick up a brick and start walking toward that courthouse in Sanford. Those that do not, those that hold the pain and betrayal inside and somehow manage to resist violence — these citizens are testament to a stoic tolerance that is more than the rest of us deserve. I confess, their patience and patriotism is well beyond my own … Tonight, anyone who truly understands what justice is and what it requires of a society is ashamed to call himself an American.“

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3266528

Thank you for bringing his statement from 2007 here via smartypants..

The Wire is certainly an angry show. It’s about the idea that we are worth less. And that is an unreasonable thing to contemplate for all of us. It is unacceptable. And none of us wants to be part of a world that is going to do that to human beings. If we don’t exert on behalf of human dignity at the expense of profit and capitalism and greed, which are inevitability, and if we can’t modulate them in some way that is a framework for an intelligent society, we are doomed. It is going to happen sooner than we think. I don’t know what form it will take. But I know that every year America is going to be a more brutish and cynical and divided place.

We will not stop fighting and standing with our Black brothers and sisters to score victories wherever and whenever we can!

Is it any wonder why so many stood in long lines to vote for PBO in November 2012? And, why so many of us were so grateful?

I was thinking yesterday that someone who makes movies should do one about Trayvon.. Only have a different ending.. one in which the reality of who zimmerman is(a coward and a stalker) would be more evident in court(seems like they needed a brick wall to fall on them) and what would happen if the prosecution did an excellent job of portraying that?

Justice4Trayvon: A Different Verdict

[sheshe2]

3. Thanks Cha~

I had not seen Cal's post until after I posted this one. I tried to see if it had already been done.

I guess it can be said over and over. In different ways until we see some change.

It’s about the idea that we are worth less. And that is an unreasonable thing to contemplate for all of us. It is unacceptable. And none of us wants to be part of a world that is going to do that to human beings.

It is unacceptable and no it is not a world I want to live in. None of us should want that.

We voted for change and by dog ( I saw this on a blog today. I like it.) we will get it.

Stand Tall~

Cha.

[Cha]

4. Oh, yours is a different aspect than cal's altogether ..

Just both got David Simon's statement on Trayvon's Verdict.. which cannot be seen by too many!

Justice4Trayvon~A Different Verdict

Si, she