One of my favorite shows on T.V right now is The First 48 on A&E. The basic premise of the show is a reality-based crime scene investigation where actual cases from Memphis, Miami, Dallas, Detroit, etc. are followed. In these cases, the show highlights the delicate balance between detectives, witnesses, and suspects. The cat and mouse game between the detectives and key witnesses is intriguing because it is a microcosm of the cultural differences and similarities occurring between the inner city and the suburbs.
Usually, whenever a key witness knows about the situation or knows the suspect, they are uncommunicative to the detectives. The idea of not “tattle-tailing” has been engrained since our childhood. From grade school, “tattle-tailing” is considered a bad thing and that everyone should mind their own business. Back then, there were no racial preferences and preconceived notions to who “tattle-tailed”; an Asian, Latino, African-American, or Caucasian kid were all equally liable to “tattle-tail”. However, in The First 48, this idea is conveyed to the extreme because people have died. This is not a harmless game, but rather a torture to the victim’s family because no one wants to fess up.
In essence, those living in the ghetto are living by the street code of “no snitching”. Those brought up in the inner city are afraid to come forward and speak on the crime because of the fear of being retaliated by the gangs. In this situation, there is a cultural difference because the main minority depicted on the show is African-Americans, thus providing an impression that only African-Americans living in the street culture undertake the “no snitching” code. To me, this represents the reality of the differences in cultures and how certain things (tattle-tailing) can be twisted into something more radical (no snitching).
2 comments:
Right now the First 48 is one of my favorite shows too! Before this summer I had never really seen the show, and after watching a few shows I made some of the same observations as you. I notice that all of the suspects are either African-Americans or Mexicans and that almost very witness is unwilling to be forthcoming with the information you know. I understand it’s because of what you said, “no snitching” it’s almost like the “no snitching” is the law of the streets in these poor neighborhoods that are filled with crimes. I know if I saw something I would surely speak up to help it makes me wonder how much fear a person must have inside to not want to help.
I found these sentences particularly interesting: "In these cases, the show highlights the delicate balance between detectives, witnesses, and suspects. The cat and mouse game between the detectives and key witnesses is intriguing because it is a microcosm of the cultural differences and similarities occurring between the inner city and the suburbs."
You seem to be suggesting that there is a sort of ecology being outlined and studied by this show: the "delicate balance" and predator/prey relationships of the "cat and mouse" reflect an ecological sensibility at work. In other words, what the show seems to be *naturalizing* the socio-economic conditions of the show's subject: the "no snitching" rule of the streets becomes a way to inhabit an environment. And of course 'race' is shown to be another distinguishing feature in this landscape—but it race then an 'essential' trait, or an acquired behavior (to see and be seen in terms of 'race')?
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