Chapter 1- Sudhir is introduced to J.T. through his sociology assignment. Quickly Sudhir realizes that conventional ethnographic techniques are not going to work in this environment after he asks them "what is it like to be poor and black?" It intrigued me to see someone from a middle class suburbian environment submerged in such a culture shock. Although he was a bit naive at times, (or likes to write as if he was naive) I like to think what I would have done in his shoes.
Chapter 2- This chapter made me realize that even the educated can get involved in drug trafficking. Sudhir learns that J.T. is college educated and this probably attributes to why others look up to him as a leader. I was also surprised that he chose this line of work himself- its not as if he was forced into it from being poor. He gives the excuse that other white men were being promoted over him, but I still believe he wanted to lead part of this gang regardless.
Chapter 3- This chapter really highlights Sudhir's ignorance for me. He was hanging out with a gang but is supposedly surprised when he witnesses J.T. beating up C-Note. I just think anyone in their right mind would associate at least some violence with an organized game. Sudhir also learns the in and outs of the community. Since the police do not help them, they rely on gangs and do-it-yourself style justice. This also highlights the violence of this community.
Chapter 4- Sudhir tells J.T. that his job cannot be that hard and takes up being gang leader for a day. He quickly learns that its harder than it looks when trying to mediate disputes within the community such as the stolen money problem between Otis and Billy. I thought parts of this were pretty hilarious such as when Sudhir tries to mimic J.T.'s speech and calls a gang member a n*****. Sudhir is obviously in way over his head and learns that there is a ton of business that goes on behind the scenes. I found it interesting that Sudhir expected to not dish out any punishment to gang members like J.T. does, but that's how gang leaders earn respect.
Chapter 5- Sudhir trails Ms. Bailey to see the inner-workings of the apartment complex. I believe that despite Ms. Bailey's neutral stance, she obviously depends on the gang and even makes some money off of them policing the department. I found it strange that J.T. wouldn't just give information to Sudhir about Ms. Bailey, but rather he had to tail her himself. This shows that even J.T., one of the main leaders of the Black Kings, is afraid of Ms. Bailey to some only.
Chapter 6- Sudhir falls out of graces with the Robert Taylor community in this chapter. He gives away some financial information to Ms. Bailey and tries to rectify that by opening a writing workshop. This then backfires because the tenants think he is having sex with the all-women class. In my opinion, I believe Sudhir was in a rut. This chapter highlighted his broad range of study with a wide variety of people and this eventually turns sour. He has a good heart, well relative to what hes trying to achieve, but he still is stuck in semi-bad graces.
Chapter 7- J.T. throws a party in this chapter in which a drive by happens and two people end up being shot. J.T. was then promoted from his handling of the events. Sudhir also meets with the cops and realizes they are just as corrupt as the gang. I believe this chapter highlights how similar the group of cops that deal with Robert Taylor are to the actually gangs who inhabit it. This proves at least the gang statements about how they are corrupt and cannot be trusted.
Chapter 8- The book ends with Sudhir being invited to a party by J.T. It turns out the Robert Taylor building is being torn down so the gang is disbanding. Meanwhile, J.T. is trying to keep it all together by recruiting new members but it does not work out. Sudhir further widens the gap by saying his research is basically done. I felt bad for Sudhir that he basically had to leave the community but at the same time, he was getting too entrenched in the conflict. This highlights that everything rises and falls and even the "tight-knit" community wasn't safe from this.
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