The Cocaine Kids by Williams - Book Report/Review Example

The Cocaine Kids by Williams “The Cocaine Kids” by Williams and “Among the Thugs” by Buford are two brilliant research stories told from within a certain group – teenagers who trade cocaine in the first case and National Front members in the second. Both authors witnessed or experienced the events they tell about. Both authors are investigators who became insiders entering specific social groups and deserving their trust to find out information which is known only to the members of the group. The investigations of both authors allow to see the problem from inside, to see it more clearly and from another perspective. The Cocaine Kids” by Williams describes the life and ‘professional culture’ of teenagers who are involved in cocaine business. The author tried to show these people as not opposed to society but as people with their own problems – business, neighborhood, family, “their highs and lows.” The reader finds no prejudices towards kids who are engaged in ‘dirty business’ but views them from other perspective – as individuals who try to survive in the environment they find themselves in. As an ethnographer the author observes “individuals in their own social setting” recording all kind of information – from simple quantitative measures to more “subtle information such as use of language, gestures, facial expressions, style of clothing.” That makes the story very valuable as it reflects life more precisely and more credibly. Williams describes cocaine culture - pharmaceutical preparation of cocaine, the methods of use during different periods and prices and distribution channels as well as the way the kinds are involved in this business. Cocaine business is a way to survive “for African-American and Latino boys and girls under eighteen.” They are all from families who live below the poverty line and no opportunity to earn for a living. Thousand of young people are engaged in cocaine trade. Teenagers see cocaine trade as a job, either full-time or casual, an opportunity to earn. On the other hand they are attracted by the chance to “make big money, and pushed by the desire to “be somebody.” Recruitment of teenagers in cocaine trade has always been advantageous for some reasons: they can avoid the law; they are quite trustworthy; “they are also relatively easy to frighten and control.” (p.8) Teenagers work not only as sales people but as “runners” who serve a bridge between buyers and dealers, as “lookouts” and guards, “catchers.” There are also “transporters,” “babysitter” who watch the cargo, “swimmers” and “mules.” So the system is well-arranged with certain positions like in any well-structure organization where everyone has his own role and task. Cocaine business like any other business has its own selling strategy, distribution channels, price policy, its own heroes. It is not only money or drugs which motivate teenagers but career opportunities, “the desire to show family and friends that they can succeed at something.” (p.10) Max, fourteen year old teenager, whom the author made friends with, “had a story to tell.” As a “comer” in the cocaine business, he tried to “set up an organized “crew” but he meets betrayal. His brothers “were not working out giving the cocaine away to girls, partying, showing off with friends.” (p.14) Like a real businessman Max tried to establish a certain order, to build a kind of business culture. He cut back the amount of cocaine for brothers, asked for “call money” about mid-week, picked up money due to him without a notice. One might say he was building his own company culture where members are aware that they are dependent on him and that there are certain rules to comply with. Over several years Max had a crew the Cocaine Kids to rely on. The author shows that these people are living their life as ordinary people with their own desires, aspirations and expectations. They have their own culture and rules. They have their own structure to live in. They have problems to solve and they have goals to achieve. They are the same people who are sensitive to betrayal, deceit and love. They just found themselves in the situation where they had to survive and they used the tools they had. “Among the Thugs” by Buford is another story which describes another group of people with their own philosophy. The author experienced the way of life of these people being within this group, as an insider and investigator who can have more opportunities to present certain social picture more lucidly. The story of Buford of the National Front members and their activities impresses with its smart details which create an image of the rank and file NF member and views he holds. Cliff, one of the NF, was “big and browny with a tight-fitting T-shirt and fleshy biceps,” nostalgic anomaly” of skinhead period. He had “an aggressive manner – the regulation braces and the heavy black boots and pocket full of twopences … to throw at Cambridge supporters…” The other two were Dougie with the head ‘gaunt and darkened with exhaustion” and his brother Neil who was to organize a Nazi party later. Most of members of NF were unemployed, “people who felt, with some justice, that they had no else to go.” (p.142) The images of NF members as “cultural anomalies, skinheads, out of touch” pictured by Buford are disgusting as well as their activities. Bulldog published by NF talked of “racial injustice” and “account of racial abuse” happening throughout the country. It was repellent for the author even to touch these publications, let alone reading. The most disgusting was that they were widely read and many people shared the views expressed in Bulldog which was actually a recruitment paper “unsophisticated” and “down-market” written in a language to talk to football supporters. The intention of Bulldog to hit football public was obvious. Buford describes very explicit forms of racial prejudices. For example, “ape grunt” practice in football matches – “the barking sound the supporters make when a black player gets the ball.” The friend from USA who visited the author, could not understand what these sounds mean. When explained his face crossed with “bewilderment, outrage, disgust but mainly incomprehension.” (p.137) However, “old, young, father, whole families” who imitated apes were not embarrassed at all. The more bold fascist youth actions are violent attacks of ethnic minority population particularly directed against Black and Asian communities, Muslim communities and refugees. Small minority of aggressive youth provoked racial incidents. The press added to the agitation around the issue. Oldham Evening Chronicle wrote that “racial crime in Oldham has hit record levels, with a massive increase in violent attacks on lone white men.” (Mannion, 2001 p. 3) With 14% of the Asian population in the district ‘racial horror’ was intentionally produced. 76-year old war veteran Walter Chamberlain was attacked by Asian gang. The phrase 'Get out of our area' supposedly heard in the attack appeared in the newspapers. However, it was denied by the victim himself as well as his family who had strong doubts of racial motives of the attack. (Mannion, 2001 p. 3) The reputation of the Fascist movement is connected with such violence groups such as 'Combat 18' or 'Blood and Honour' which are known for violent assaults on their political opponents, Jews, ethnic minorities. Other activities include collecting weapons, exchanging bomb designs and spreading racist materials on the web. (www.xs4all.nl/~afa/alert/engels/combat18.html) That what Buford hears from the members of NF – “an organized army,” “warriors” and “police force” trying “to take over the places they visited.” Buford meet aggression too when he is attacked by Dougie. Another explicit expression of racialist position is the attitude of the pub administration towards the party for NF. “It’s honor and privilege”, they say. (p.143) The barmaid is proud to tell that their pub is the most racialist serving no coloured person. It was incredible surprising to find racism so explicitly expressed by people who work in a pub owned by a pubic company. Both authors were involved in ethnographic work observing the behaviour of certain group of people to produce their “rounded and dynamic portrait.” (Williams, p.2) Ethnographic research is about careful observation and recording of the action, speech and other information which can shed a light on certain practices in certain social groups. It is very important for the ethnographer to set trustworthy relationship with those they work. For both Williams and Buford trust served a pass to enter a group and observe their activities from inside. Williams participated in drug dealings and crew members trusted him so much that he participated in all key events or transactions. Cocaine kids confided him all the secrets “professional and otherwise.” Buford also needed to deserve trust to become an insider. It takes a real mastery to enter the group which you do not belong, communicate with people with completely different views and to be tolerant enough for these people to let you inside their circle. It is also about respect toward other people life which gives possibility for the ethnographer to observe and record inside the group without doing harm or being harmed. References Atkinson, Graeme Combat 18 - January 2004, Searchlight www.xs4all.nl/~afa/alert/engels/combat18.html) retr. 10 Nov. 2007 Mannion, Samantha, Huge Rise in Race Attacks on White Men, Oldham Evening Chronicle, Jan. 31, 2001 p. 3 Read More