Monday, January 14, 2008
Poverty Porn - Or Useful Insight? The book title and jacket cover seem pretty over the top -- more poverty porn -- but this segment from NPR's Weekend Edition (Researcher Studies Gangs by Leading One) is still pretty engaging. 

Not so much because this researcher got to "lead" a gang (the Black Kings) for a day, but rather what he learned about poverty and crime in the Robert Taylor Homes along the way.   They think he's Mexican.  He sleeps overnight in a crack den.  He learns that "there is no future" in this world.  He participates in a beating. 

There's also a Q and A with the guy in the January Chicago Mag.

Useful stuff, or just more of the same old exploitation of the poor? You be the judge.  Or, if you're interested in the topic, check out my post about The Wire from last week:     Poverty Porn.