Summary due October 6, 2011

Goode talks about how poor people are not responsible for the conditions they are in. They try to make the most out of it and adjust within the circumstances. She also says that the poor people are as realistic as any other social class. They try finding solutions to their problems like any other human would. The poor people are very rational. They want to work, but might have no skills. She also says in order to live in these circumstances people have to have family structure and sometimes need help from networks, friends, family and neighbors.

I agree with Goode completely, no one want to be poor! People want or need money to feed themselves and their kids. Everyone wants to live in the best situations with the best house and other modes of living. Blaming poor people for their condition doesn't make sense to me. No one asks to be unsafe, everyone always wants the best. However, not everyone gets the best. There are people out there that want to get out of these poor conditions and are trying. Poor people are not "..flawed individuals who need to be reformed by letting experts repair their damaged psych and values."

Bourgois talks about the drug dealers in Spanish Harlem. He says there are many reasons people choose to drug deal. Most drug dealer used to have appropriate jobs but they didn't like the superiority or felt uncomfortable because of the cultural difference. Most drug dealers wanted to keep their cultural, not feel inferior and make a reputation with in their communities. He also interviewed drug dealers and found for them it was easier and more attractive to drop out of school and earn money. Especially if they come from poor backgrounds. People also brought street culture in factory and working settings, which the higher authorities didn't like. They often tried to change to these behaviors. Drug dealers didn't want to change. So they took up illegal activities so they can be their own boss, keep the street culture and have a reputation.

According to Vigil, poverty is the "central" reason for the street gangs. Vigil says gangs form then there are less family support, bad education system and the laws towards poor. Gangs make people feel more safe. They are usually made up of males who grew up together in low-income neighborhoods.