5 replies to this topic

[The Lorcan Nagle]

In 1993, David Simon, then-crime reporter for the Baltimore Sun took a year off to observe the corner of Fayette and Monroe streets - a notorious drug market, with the intention of writing a book about life on the streets. There, he befriended the McCollugh family - Gary and Fran - a divorced husband and wife, both junkies; and their teenaged son DeAndre, who was slowly dropping out of school and flirting with dealing. Over the year, both Gary and Fran would try to get clean, whle DeAndre slowly became a full-time corner boy, a father himself, and eventually an addict. The McColloughs and their friends would become the subjects of Simon's book, title The Corner: A Year on the Streets of an Inner-City
Neighbourood.

I encountered their lives when I watched Simon's TV miniseries The Corner. While a dramtisation of events, everything that happened in that show actually happened. Over the course of 6 hours, the McCollough's fall into poverty and addiction was shown in heart-wrenching detail. It was compelling, if depressing viewing. In the 7 years between the publication of the book and the production of the TV series, all bar 4 of the people depicted in it had died, and at the very end of the show those 4 are interviewed. One of them was DeAndre, now a fully grown man, trying to stay clean and be a good father to his son.

7 days ago, DeAndre died of a massive drug overdose at the very sobering (for me) age of 35. He was never able to fight his way clean of addiction. Having seen his life laid out in such detail, I can't help but feel a level of empathy towards DeAndre, despite obviously never knowing him.

David Simon posted an obituary for him today. The events laid out therein are just as tragic as what came before.

http://davidsimon.co...ough-1977-2012/

[Tonycal]

Since I live in Baltimore I have heard about this. Sad that he couldn't get rid of that addiction. My sister lived in a shitty part of Baltimore a few years ago and was hooked on coke and heroin. She is now clean and sober. But there are a lot of these stories.

Too bad Baltimore is only known for The Wire/The Corner and the drugs/crime.

[The Lorcan Nagle]

One thing I do find interesting about the Baltimore scene is that you do get so many good stories coming out of it - people who do kick the habit, people who go on to do good in the neighbourhood. The Wire and The Corner are very cynical, and a big part of that is because they're trying to tell a specific story which requires acentuating the negative - but at the same time they do have a hint of light to them. If they'd concentrated on characters like Bubbles - who manage to work their way out of the vicious circle (or indeed Fran from the Corner) it may have been fairer - but it would have moved away from the core point of attacking the system that allows the drug society to prosper, but can't comprehend how to defeat it.

[Tonycal]

So true. Many people have kick the habit and moved on up per say. Hell I'm sure it happens every day around the world. But we as a society like to see the bad things over the good.

That said Baltimore is home to one of the best hospitals in the world and one of the best brain surgeons. (who I have met more than once. Really nice man for having such knowledge and skill)

[njerry]

Not to downplay the tragedy of DeAndre's life, but Baltimore has a lot to recommend it. Its Inner Harbor district is pretty cool, with one of the best aquariums I've ever visited. Steve Geppi's Entertainment Museum is a must-see for comics fans. And some really good dining experiences.

Think it's time for another road trip...

[Tonycal]

Not to downplay the tragedy of DeAndre's life, but Baltimore has a lot to recommend it. Its Inner Harbor district is pretty cool, with one of the best aquariums I've ever visited. Steve Geppi's Entertainment Museum is a must-see for comics fans. And some really good dining experiences.

Think it's time for another road trip...

Exactly njerry! We have a lot to offer down here in Baltimore. Geppi's def is a must see for any comic book fan!!! Plus the star spangled banner was wrote here.

PS- Let me know when you come down to Baltimore next. I can recommend some places to eat.