Alice Goffman On The Run Analysis

In her book On the Run: Fugitive Live in an American City, Alice Goffman points out that law enforcement interferes with the lives of people in the crime-stricken area of 6th street. Their overwhelming activity causes the residents of 6th street to react differently with one another. They have to factor in the police during their daily life, especially when it comes to couple’s relationships. Sometimes, the residents use the police in ways that they’re unintended such as to control one’s partner. In other cases, they use the police to protect one’s significant other, but only when necessary. More often than not, the police complicate relationships by inadvertently causing men to use their women as a way to avoid getting caught. Unfortunately,

The issue now becomes whether the woman would “ride” with her man or to snitch on him. In the book, where Tommy, married to Aisha, will be taken to prison if he doesn’t pay his fees shows the two arguing “‘If they come for me, you better not tell them where I’m at,’ Tommy said quietly. ‘I’m not talking to no cops!’” (57). Tommy’s just making sure that his wife is with him. As noted, Aisha chooses to stand by her man for the sake of their child. In this event, it may seem the authorities’ other to arrest Tommy will hurt their relationship, but Aisha “express her devotion” (58) to Tommy and it strengthens their relationship.

In conclusion, the police have a major impact on the relationships of couples throughout 6th street. They are used in unintended ways, such as the use of threats with Marie and Mike. Or as protection from rivals in the case of Taja. Usually the conflict they cause leads to leads to couple's fighting over trust and betrayal as Rakim explains. In the best cases, the conflict with the police leads to stronger bonds over devotion and allegiance like Tommy and Aisha. Nevertheless, the residents of 6th live with the presence of law enforcement daily. They adapt to survive in their crime stricken