People who watch "The Wire" on HBO

[mduffy31]

Does anyone think that this show has a racist lean to it. I have been reading an interesting discussion where one person says that this show is borderline racist because it doesn't show enough "good" black mothers and that it always has the message that nothing can get solved without the white man.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Mr. Blonde]

1. David Simon (the creator)

addressed this in an interview. He said face facts they aren't looking at the best parts of society. There are not a lot of positive role models of any stripe any where on the show. And what does the white man do when he shows up? He tries to help, but nothing gets done either. Look at Prez this year with the kids. He tried to help and it still did no good. At the same time Cutty was trying to do the same thing and he was also not finding success. I think there are people with good intentions of all colors. The show does a good job of showing the institutional blocks that have been put in to really help anyone. Out of all the kids the only one with any chance of getting out of the game now appears to be Namond who was adopted by a positive black role model.

[kwassa]

2. Nothing racist about the best ever show on television

and as to it's accuracy, a distant member in my wife's extended family grew up in that very Baltimore drug scene, got out of it, and is now a drug counselor. He says "The Wire" is totally accurate. We were at a picnic on Federal Hill, and he grabbed me and showed me the new building where Stringer Bell had his condo. I check in with him from time to time, and share our fanatic fandom.

And wasn't the season finale fantastic?

"this show is borderline racist because it doesn't show enough "good" black mothers and that it always has the message that nothing can get solved without the white man."

I think the real message is that nothing gets solved at all. This is a major underlying theme of the show. There is an unending cycle of the police vs. the drug dealers vs. the politicians that never gets resolved, only occasional small victories on both sides.

"The Wire" has more quality roles for black actors than any production ever on television. It is also superb drama. As to the good black mothers, the foster mother of Randy Wagstaff was a saint, but this is poverty central, and many of the children depicted are the product of very broken homes, including Michael's drug-addicted mother.

[mduffy31]

3. The Finale was fantastic...I am just sorry it is gone

Now that McNulty and Freamon are going to be together again on the case, that is fantastic.

[Mr. Blonde]

4. I almost feel sorry for Marlo

pissing off McNulty is like bringing down the righteous hand of God on yourself.

[mduffy31]

5. Just ask Stringer Bell

He had him...Omar just got there first.

[w8liftinglady]

6. my view..for what it's worth

I love The Wire,and see it as a realistic view of the shit that is the inner city. I find myself intensely drawn towards the boys that are trying to do right..they remind me so much of my own sons.I found myself crying tonight as the cop tried to foster that one kid...it really does mirror the shit that goes down.it is poart of the reason I am drinking hard tonight...the sheer hopelessness these poor kids feel.....it's real.

[lies and propaganda]

7. i think the creators are duplicating their view of B'more the best they can.

Body though! nooooo!