Code of the Street: Decent vs. Street

Code of the Street Overview

• The "code of the street" is a concept developed to explain how individuals navigate distressed inner-city communities.
• This code is a set of informal rules and expectations that govern behavior, particularly concerning violence and respect.
• It emerges in communities where residents feel abandoned by the wider society and its institutions, including law enforcement.

Decent vs. Street

• Residents of inner-city communities are often categorized into two groups: "decent" and "street."
• "Decent" individuals adhere to mainstream societal values, respecting authority, property, and neighbors.
• "Street" individuals tend to disregard these values and sometimes engage in criminal behavior, but this is based on stereotypes.
• The terms "decent" and "street" are evaluative labels used by community members themselves, to differentiate between each other.
• Individuals can code-switch, adapting their behavior to be "decent" in some situations and "street" in others, with people generally tending towards predominately one or the other.

Wider Society Abdication and Street Credibility

• Many inner-city residents believe there are two systems of justice, one for white people and one for black people, leading to distrust of law enforcement.
• The feeling of abandonment by the wider society leads people to believe they must fend for themselves.
• "Street credibility" (street cred) becomes essential for safety; signaling a willingness to respond to disrespect and defend oneself.
• Maintaining street credibility is a constant performance, requiring actions that reinforce one's reputation for toughness and willingness to retaliate. This is why violence is so common is these communities.

Drug Trade

• The drug market becomes a viable option for young people seeking to survive in the streets due to the perceived lack of opportunities and support from wider society.
• Involvement in the drug trade often leads to violence as individuals strive to protect their territory and build street credibility.
• The need to survive and build street cred in the absence of formal support structures contributes to a cycle of violence and instability in these communities.