ON THE RUN: FUGITIVE LIFE IN AN AMERICAN CITY By Alice Goffman

On-the-Run-w-Goffman
“The United States currently imprisons five to nine times more people than Western European nations, and significantly more than China and Russia.” Alice Goffman says 3% of the adults in our nation are now under “corrective supervision.” That translates to 2.2 million people in prisons and Jails. An additional 4.8 million are on probation or parole. Goffman lived (more like embedded) with a series of fugitives in urban communities. She shows how lives are impaired by selective enforcement and lack of education. The system is stacked against this population segment and Goffman follows their lives to some heart-breaking conclusions. If you have any interest in what is happening in our cities and why a whole generation of young people in America’s underclass seems to be losing their way, On the Run documents the downward progress. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Prologue
Preface
Introduction
1. The 6th Street Boys and Their Legal Entanglements
2. The Art of Running
3. When the Police Knock Your Door In
4. Turning Legal Troubles Into Personal Resources
5. The Social Life of Criminalized Young People
6. The Market in Protections and Privileges
7. Clean People
Conclusion: A Fugitive Community
Epilogue: Leaving 6th Street
Acknowledgements
Appendix: A Methodological Note
Nones

16 thoughts on “ON THE RUN: FUGITIVE LIFE IN AN AMERICAN CITY By Alice Goffman

  1. Lauren W.

    We read ON THE RUN in two of my classes -urban soc and methods. It is cool to see a sociological book getting so much attention. Unfortunately, in addition to writing a critically acclaimed book, Goffman has also been involved in controversy, including accusations of fabrication. Based on the available evidence (including the sketchy nature in which that accusations against her came out), I tend to side with Goffman, and think that her work simply highlights the difficulties of protecting confidentiality while engaged in ethnographic research, especially while studying people involved in illicit activities. By the way, did you know that her aunt, Frances Bay, played the old lady on Seinfeld whose marble rye was stolen by Jerry?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96bqcoO1cYU

    Reply
    1. Lauren W.

      I should also mention that I think that ON THE RUN is a great book because it helps the reader to gain empathy both for the young men who are on the run as well as their family, friends, and partners whose lives are also turned upside down. At the same time, the book does not portray anyone as saints, and certainly addresses the flawed characters of individuals; thus, realizing that problems arise from both structural or personal failings.

      Reply
      1. george Post author

        Lauren, I also share your concerns. But Goffman’s research brings the plight of the underclass in our criminal justice system.

    2. george Post author

      Lauren, I think Goffman is being attacked because of her methods and her findings. The Sociology Establishment feels threatened by her work.

      Reply
      1. Todd Mason

        A certain ex-president with his notions of “super-predators” probably would feel threatened as well, as he did in a notable local appearance in Philadelphia, the poor put upon dear.

  2. Patti Abbott

    The issues that are most important are not getting the attention they need: our education system, poverty, the lives of former prisoners, stagnant wages. There is a price to be paid for this.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Patti, I completely agree. And we’re seeing this in the political process as groups that feel they’ve been under-represented are demanding real change.

      Reply
  3. Jeff Meyerson

    It does sound interesting but I get depressed enough by what is going on every day to want to read this.

    Reply
    1. maggie mason

      I agree, Jeff. I find myself increasingly just wanting to read light or cozy mysteries, and P.G. Wodehouse. Of course, in the car, I always have an audio book, many stuart woods, wodehouse, david rosenfelt, etc. That is, when I’m not singing along with Hugh Jackman and the Boy from Oz soundtrack.

      Reply
    2. george Post author

      Jeff, part of the reason Alice Goffman is being criticized for ON THE RUN is her novelistic style. Her reporting isn’t “dry” enough for some academics.

      Reply
  4. Deb

    It’s a systemic set of problems: endemic poverty, declining and decimated neighborhoods, children in homes without one or both parents, schools with shrinking resources, crime, drugs, the demonization of people of color, the lack of political will to try to alleviate these problems, and, thus, the continuing circle of crime/ prison/probation/parole/recidivism. (Also, keep in mind that when we have for-profit prisons, someone, somewhere, has a vested interest in keeping that circle unbroken.)

    This book sounds interesting–in your description it reminds me of RANDOM FAMILY which was about several generations of Puerto Rican Americans living in poverty in New York City. A great book about the everyday chaos of a poverty-stricken life.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Deb, Bernie Sander’s took some heat for saying: “Poor people don’t vote.” But Bernie is exactly right. Poverty depresses voter participation in poor neighborhoods. And politicians–ever interested in survival and re-election–don’t pay any attention to groups who don’t vote. The result: failing schools, crumbing infrastructure, and steady decline in our culture.

      Reply
  5. Richard R.

    Apparently my comment was (A) eaten by the Chip Gods, (B) deleted by the blog owner, (C) not acceptable or deemed worthy, or (D) all of the above.

    But I’ll try again.
    Explain to me, George, what is wrong with “the system is stacked” against fugitives from justice.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Rick, I had nothing to do with the disappearance of your comment. I blame the Chip Gods, too! Victims of a rigged system find few choices for survival. In a stacked system, crime becomes a plausible alternative to staying alive. That factor was at the heart of Les Misérables.

      Reply

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