Idris Elba, Michael B. Jordan, Wendell Pierce, Michael K. Williams --
first known as Stringer Bell, Wallace, Bunk, and Omar -- are just a few
of the fruits of The Wire we enjoy today. Since its June 2, 2002,
premiere, The Wire has been a slow burn, picking up steam each and every
year since. As critics continue to grapple with the show and its
enduring impact, some voices and perspectives have still yet to be
heard. Cracking The Wire During Black Lives Matter remedies this
oversight. This provocative exploration of HBO's iconic show touches on
issues of not just race, but also class, power, gender dynamics, police
brutality, addiction, sexuality, and even representations of Baltimore
itself through a Black Lives Matter lens for some, but Black reality for
so many others. Regardless of perspective, Cracking The Wire During
Black Lives Matter is an engaging and compelling conversation about one
of the most important shows in television history. Cracking the Wire
features a cover by esteemed artist Art Sims, who designed the posters
for numerous Spike Lee films, including Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better
Blues, Malcolm X, Clockers, and When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four
Acts, as well as The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, and Black Panther.
