Advertisement

Learning About Race And Justice Through HBO's 'The Wire'

09:10
Download Audio
Resume
Actor Michael Williams, who played the character Omar Little in HBO's "The Wire," with the real life inspiration for the character, Donnie Andrews. (Anna Miller/Here & Now)
Actor Michael Williams, who played the character Omar Little in HBO's "The Wire," with the real life inspiration for the character, Donnie Andrews, at Harvard Law School. (Anna Miller/Here & Now)

HBO's street drama "The Wire" showed the ugly side of Baltimore, shining a light on police corruption, gang violence and dysfunctional schools. Critics have said it glorifies gang violence and stereotypes inner cities. But academics around the country are increasingly finding teachable material in the series' five seasons.

We stopped by Harvard Law School as a panel about "The Wire" was breaking up, and we sat down with actor Michael Williams, who played the character Omar Little, and Donnie Andrews, who was the inspiration for that character.

This segment aired on April 13, 2011.

Advertisement

More from Here & Now

Listen Live
Close