In Search of Respect Selling Crack In El Barrio
... 22, 2003 In Search Of Respect Selling Crack In El Barrio Drug selling is an alternative method of making money and surviving for many who are discriminated against and may be subjected to finical and economic hardships. The book entitled, In search of respect selling crack in el barrio by “Philippe Bourgeois,” takes an ethnographic look at the social marginalization in East Harlem, one of the roughest ghetto neighborhoods in New York. While living there he develops bonds with several street-level drug lords and as their trust for him heightens; he is able to further examine and understand their world and the reasons that are associated with the drug selling business. Poverty and racism leads up to drug selling and the inner city people that purchase drugs from El Barrio allow the million dolor empire to exist and flourish. ... One of the main dilemmas that people of Harmel face everyday is, “The anguish of growing up poor in the richest city in the world is compounded by cultural assault that el barrio youths often face when they venture out of their neighborhood“. ... Although, selling drugs is not the most ethical ways of making money, money gains status and status means a set of accomplishments. According to Philippe during the last twenty years, cocaine, crack and heroin have been the primary choices that inner city buyers have wanted most. Heroin and crack continue to be the rising trend into making multibillion dollar businesses that desolate inner city families.