American gangster Frank Lucas and his work

Question One 

The depiction of Frank Lucas was meant to balance the perception of the public regarding the kingpins in the drug trade. Many people largely believed that the drug trade in Harlem was the domain of Italian mobs. However, in reality both blacks and Caucasians took part in the drug trade. As articulated by Cooley (2018 ), racial minorities also began to take part in the drug trade in the 1960s. They began an insurgency against the white syndicates to take over the market. Therefore, Frank Lucas was meant to portray what was really happening on the ground. White and blacks both controlled the drug trade. Frank Lucas was the epitome of this situation. 

Question Two 

Russell Crowe was chosen since he would enable the film to gain popularity and hence generate revenue. 

Question Three 

The thesis states that the war against drug drove up violence as parties struggled to gain control of the underground market (Cooley, 2018, p.78). 

Question Four 

The first secondary claim is that the intersection of poverty and segregation drove many minority workers to the drug trade ( Cooley, 2018, p. 78). Many informal workers joined the drug trade as a way to escape poverty. The second claim asserts that the lack of structures that were previously erected by white syndicates prompted many youth to join the drug business in the 1970s ( Cooley, , 2018, p. 80). The battle for drug markets diluted the structures put up by white syndicates, and gave many young people the chance to join the business. 

Question Five 

The author makes valid assumptions. He shows how the lack of opportunities due to segregation in the formal sector drove many minorities to the drug war. Further, he demonstrates why the war on drug wars only acted to perpetuate violence. The war on drugs reduced the scope of the drug market and gangs had to fight over the remaining territory. On the downside, the author could have done more to elaborate how teenagers were used to man drug corners. He only discusses the issues slightly thus there is some vagueness about it. 

Question Six 

I agree with the claim. The war on drugs does not focus on the root causes that force people to sell drugs. Rather than dedicating such a large amount resources to fight drugs, they should instead be re-routed to other activities. Such activities may include something like vocation training for impoverished youth. Such focus would reduce the number of people joining the drug trade. 

Question Seven 

Frank Lucas was able to gain success due to his unique approach. He portrayed himself as a community man concerned about the welfare of his people (Scott, 2007). Further, he collaborated with the Italian Mob rather than fighting them ( Cooley, 2018) . By doing so, he was given control of key markets that could not be touched by white drug dealers. Frank was also an advocate for racial equality. By taking this approach, he was able to reach heights that his predecessors could not. 

References 

Cooley, W. (2018). The work: Dealing and violence in the war on drugs era.  Labor ,  15 (2), 77-110. 

Scott, Ridely. (2007). American Gangster . Image Entertainment