If you have seen HBO’s “The Wire," then I do not have to do anything to remind you of about the show. If you haven’t, you are missing out on one of the greatest series to ever grace the world of television. The show burst onto the scene 15 years ago on June 2nd, 2002, and despite not garnering the audience it deserves, it has been lauded as one of the best shows of all-time. One of its greatest characters was Omar Little, played by the talented Michael Kenneth Williams. The actor just offered a great way fans of the show can truly honor the legacy left behind by “The Wire."
From the streets to our hearts
“The Wire” remains one of the most realistic pieces of television to this day, despite the golden era of television ensuing soon after the end of the show.
It was set in the city of Baltimore, and did a great deal in covering the sensitive situation developing between the local African-American gangs and the police officers tasked to bringing them to justice.
As the show progressed over the years, it brilliantly highlighted the many pitfalls that come with a bureaucracy, the many layers of corruption stifling good work, and the various departments of police and government engaged in outdoing each other. The show had a slew of fascinating characters, along with a large group of talented actors engaged in portraying those iconic roles. This included the likes of Idris Elba who played Stringer Bell, and Dominic West, who played the eccentric Jimmy McNulty.
Honoring the show
Michael Kenneth Williams’ Omar Little was perhaps the most popular character to emerge from the show. The actor’s brilliant portrayal of a gay criminal who played by his own rules but lived by a strict code has been considered one of the finest performances on television, and Omar Little is even considered one of the great antagonists of all-time.
While speaking to TVGuide.com recently about the upcoming anniversary of “The Wire," Williams offered the perfect way to truly honor the intent of making the show – “Go to your local hood and grab a kid and get a mentorship going, so that we can stop putting our kids in the prison pipeline. That's how you show your love for "The Wire," because those stories are based on real people.
A lot of kids are not given the proper tools to survive in society. We gotta get back into the community aspect of the community healing itself."
The actor’s words are truly meaningful and sensible, and should resound in the hearts and minds of those who were fans of “The Wire."
