Code of the street

Code of the street

What lies within “Your Code of the Street”
Walking down the city streets in broad daylight, rarely, do I get a urge to glance over my shoulder to look who is behind me. On the other hand, walking down a dark alley in the late hours of the night, I would think otherwise.   I would have my guard up to be consciously aware of who and what surrounds me at all times. To many people, we live in a so called bubble world, where we rarely want to acknowledge the acceptance of mugging, burglaries, car jacking and other drug related crimes occurring daily, but are aware of their existence. To some individuals, that is not an option, having your guard up is an essential factor for the way of life, their world can often use the term, “watching your back” which takes on a literal meaning. Within the book, “The Code of the Street”, by Elijah Anderson, he allows a glimpse of everyday life through the eyes of two completely different worlds wrapped up with in one universe.
Through out his work, a stereotype format of “code of the street” is often presented. Although the meaning can take on different perceptions to the eye of beholder, the author describes it as a code of civility at one end of conduct regulated by the threat of violence.
Within the most economically drugged, crime-related, and depressing atmosphere, the rules of civil action have been severely weakened in some areas, and their stead of survival known as “code of the street” often holds the key to survival. Within the behavior of a middle class society, their norms are often presented with most powerful, strong, loving family that is often committed to their values which counteract the negative influences. Their principles and rules of life observed under the radar known as “an air of conviviality”; where little to none hostility is ever risen to leave the feeling of having a possibility of being compromised, insulted, or robbed.
The author presents the two groups of   people which...