Code of the Street

In this chapter, Anderson focuses on the role of fathers who are trying to lead their families in the context and influence of the code of the street, a role which he considers an important element of understanding life in the inner city. He refers to this figure as the “decent daddy,” who according to him, “tends to carry the weight of the race on his shoulders and represents his community to outsiders” (180). The “decent daddy” is a historically significant role in the Black community, a role that has survived various generations and iterations of racial discrimination and systemic inequalities. Even beyond his immediate responsibility to his own family and children, the “decent daddy” also serves as a significant mentor figure to other children in the neighborhood. However, with competing influences and role models, the “decent daddy” often becomes overshadowed by media portrayals of what it means to be a leader in inner-city communities, which often carry an association with the underground economy. Nevertheless, Anderson maintains that “decent daddies are important for the moral integrity of the community” (187).

The most pressing theme throughout this chapter is