In this essay, I am going to explore extremely important issues of ethnic marginalization, poverty and why most individuals in developing countries resort to drug dealing. I will be comparing views about this topic made by both Philippe Bourgois, the successful writer of the book “In Search of Respect” and Tupac, who was one of the writers of the brilliant song “Changes”.
Lesane Parish Crooks mainly known as “Tupac Shakur” was born in East Harlem, New York, which ironically is where Philippe Bourgois decided to conduct his ethnography. This showcases that Tupac grew up in a very similar environment as the characters in “In Search of Respect” such as Ray, Primo, Benzie and Caesar who were originally from Puerto Rico. However, I will be focusing on Caesar and primo in my essay. Tupac was as well caught up in the drug industry in his early years before becoming a successful famous rapper, so he could generate some sort of income, as the legal economy was just too difficult for minorities like him to progress in. In addition, he was also imprisoned for sexual assault, which showcases his past reckless behavior.
…show more content…
Well educated in both Harvard and Stanford university. He received his PhD in Anthropology from Stanford. Moreover, he published his award-winning book “In Search of Respect” in 1995. His plan was to conduct an ethnography using participant observation, about social marginalization in the inner streets of El Barrio, that lead to working in the underground economy (drug dealing). Which indeed he accomplished very successfully. “Substance abuse in the inner city is merely a symptom - and a vivid symbol - of deeper dynamics of social marginalization and alienation”