The Wire is an amazing, complex, and detailed television series that demonstrates the issues that poison the modern day city. Greed, corruption, and incompetence are at the epicenter of the problems associated with the modern day city. These poisons cycle themselves as they are deeply ingrained into America’s capitalistic society. People want to make their lives better but, not all have the opportunity to do that; such is the way with American capitalism. The Wire attempts to display the deep-seated issues present in modern-day society that inhibit the darkest corners of our nation on screen to witness. It demonstrates the: plight of African-American communities, socioeconomic issues, wealth disparity, corruption in public entities (Elected officials, police department, education, the court system etc.), and finally the war on drugs and how it has shaped entire institutions. However one motif that is familiar in our world as well as anyone else’s is money.
Set in Baltimore, Maryland in 2002-2008, a mostly African-American city left behind by systemic and institutional racism that no one dare admit, no acknowledgement must mean it does not exist, correct? Contrary to this belief, the city does exist and the inhabitants will never be forgotten no matter how hard someone may choose to ignore the ugly and gritty reality. The characters fend for themselves by any means necessary. The average person generally wants three things: a good life for themselves, a good life for their families, and something to leave behind. These ideals are seen in many characters and those that want that life will go about it however they must. Money is the driving factor in Capitalism. With money comes, greed; with greed comes, corruption.
Money is widely spread throughout the show and the consensus seems to be that those who have it, want more for themselves and those who need it, want enough to acquire what they deem as necessary. Those that had it and wanted more were not limited to the drug dealers of the show that preyed on society. It extended to all of the politicians, police officers, news reporters and just about every character on the show. Greed is an evil in all of us. No matter how much we have we desire more; we will never be content. The extent to how much that greed drives us is relative to us all. Some may only want an even more comfortable life relative to what they are accustomed to, some may want to be recognized for the contributions they have given, or some simply want more prestige and with that comes more money. Currency dictates characters’ courses of action. Some are killed simply for money, some betrayed, some bought out to keep silent, and some are content with where they are in their lives. Most are not content and drives them to commit actions that they will later on regret. Some actions include: murdering of family, Blackmail, robbery, and much more.
The Wire explores multiple dynamics that are present in the capitalistic societies. The driving force of capitalism being money and many other items present in capitalism occupy lesser roles. The Wire discusses so many topics that demonstrate why urban cities are so widely spread in terms of wealth and income and why certain individuals decide to bend the law. The Wire is a phenomenal show with deep characterization. It is a show that has so many layers that exemplify we do what we do. It is a show everyone needs to watch, I recommend it highly. Especially you, Mersal, get on that.
You’ve made a compelling argument, i’ll look into it.