Week 4 – Dr. Masters

 

“Gomorrah” by Roberto Saviano

 

Generations of people living the Naples area have grown up as part of a system that exploits cheap labor in the name of profit.  Profit for the top leaders in the organization.  Organized it is.  A way of life affecting every citizen perpetuates fear and at the same time offers opportunity if you obey the rules.  Whether this could happen anywhere but Italy, I don’t know.  There are many port cities that exploit the lower class for profit.  Singapore, New Orleans, Baltimore have a system where goods are illegally distributed along with drugs.  The system explained in “Gomorrah” seems to be magnified, incessantly penetrating all levels of society.  The very fabric of society is based on the merchandising machine controlled by the different families in power whose legacies ensure the continuation of the system.  Even though violence is used to keep people in line, the almighty dollar rules in the end.  Maybe it is allowed to continue because its roots are so deep and control cannot be established outside the system.  Plenty of arrests were made, but business goes on as usual.  Death is a part of life.  Kids preparing to enter the system discuss the ways in which they would prefer to die. 

Getting shot in the head is preferable because you don’t flop around on the ground or have time to wet yourself.  I guess it is less embarrassing.  Acceptance of this lifestyle means survival, at least for as long as you can stay on the boss’ good side.  The work is long and hard, but you put food on the table and have no time to think about getting out or rebellion.  Rebellion does not work, killings are part of everyday life and the desire for survival is strong enough to keep the average worker working.  Is this any different from multimillion dollar corporations who live by the same creed?  If drugs were legal, wouldn’t someone on top of the pyramid profit?