This morning, I finished reading a book called 'Gang Leader for a Day', written by sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh. In the book, Sudhir spends close to 5 years studying gang culture in Chicago by living with and 'running' with an actual gang. His life is completely altered by what he sees in the projects of this city as he learns more and more about the power plays and hierarchy found in the apartment complexes.
On one particular section, the main antagonist, named JT, gives Sudhir the task of actually being the leader of his gang for one day. Many decisions end up going through him for basis of taxation of 'hoes', 'pimps' crackheads', 'shorties', 'squatters' and more. It was funny to read how he handled the pressure of being the boss and interesting to read about inner city life in its truest form instead of glorified on the TV screen.
Reading it got me thinking...what job would I want to do for a day? Here's my list:
President of a non-waring country
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers
Investigative Reporter
Avon Salesman
Sleep tester
Dean of an Ivy League University
Lead Singer of a popular band that just fell off (to know what it's like to lose something huge)
What about you?
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a busker @ bloor-yonge station
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