Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Lost in Translation

So, my girlfriend's gotten me into HBO's The Wire, a series that wrapped a few years ago. Currently, we're watching episodes On Demand, and I have a lot of catching up to do.

But basically, I've gotten the gist of it. Set in Baltimore, Maryland, The Wire tells the story of a city plagued with problems by detailing the lives of a seemingly diverse citizenry: Drug Dealers, Police, Politicians, Community Activists, Teachers, etc. The Wire's Baltimore is like most depressed inner cities, filled with people of good and bad intentions joined by common desires. Getting ahead. Making a buck. Or a difference. Taking power. Or staying there.

One thing in particular gives me an edge when watching The Wire: My urban upbringing. Put it this way. When The Wire's inner city characters speak, I'm often called upon to translate. I'm like a walking Urban Dictionary.

Got something you'd like me to translate? Go ahead. Try me. I can take the most urban speak and turn it into something any whitebread motherfucker can understand. Guaranteed.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

And people wonder why I say I cherish my New Bedford upbringing. Valuable skills.