Elijah Anderson - Code of the Street

Elijah Anderson, a sociology professor at Yale, discusses his book 'Code of the Street', which explores how people navigate inner-city communities. He introduces the concepts of 'decent' and 'street' as labels used by community members to describe themselves. The 'decent' align with societal norms, while the 'street' often engage in behaviors associated with crime. Anderson highlights the challenges faced by these communities, including societal neglect and a lack of trust in law enforcement. To survive, individuals develop 'street credibility', a reputation for responding to threats, which is maintained through actions. The drug trade also plays a significant role in community dynamics, often leading to violence as a means of survival.

In what ways do the economic conditions affect the behavior of individuals in distressed communities?

What does Elijah Anderson mean by 'code switching' in the context of community dynamics?

How do people in these communities perceive the police and the justice system?