In this documentary from 1991, the ethnographer Dwight Conquergood creates a remarkably vivid portrait of urban street life in Chicago. By taking up residence in one of the city’s most notorious and gang-ridden neighborhoods, Conquergood crosses a number of boundaries that many social scientists view as impermeable. Gangs are society’s ultimate devil figure. They symbolize transgression and embody the deepest fears of middle-class citizens. Few filmmakers have dared or been able to get behind the headlines to confront the human reality and complexity of street gangs in urban America. Challenging stereotypes, this documentary gives voice to the street youths and reveals their underground culture. Here is an intricate web of symbols and passions, territory and brotherhood, honor and all to often, death.
Discussion Questions:
- Conquergood does not pretend to be an unbiased observer; does that invalidate his conclusions? Does it make them less scientific?
- What knowledge does Conquergood’s qualitative research uncover that more quantitative methods would miss?
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