source: White Boy

I'm something of a law and order kinda of guy. Or more importantly, a by the books person who feels things should be done a certain way. The War on Drugs is an absolute cluster bomb, and we lost that battle long ago. The biggest issue is the fact the government supplied drugs to cartels, dealers and even its own people. It had idiots that had no idea about drugs making arbitrary rules that ruined lives and destroyed families. And worst of all, law enforcement is the biggest beneficiary of seized goods and contraband, which means they will never want to abolish their cash cow with updated laws and sentencing. The drug problem was never addressed properly and the underlying reasons for the "problem" exploding are never understood. In the end, there are probably hundreds of tales like White Boy Rick, though I doubt they have the insidious details that make this story so interesting. Richard Wershe, Jr. Was a pawn for the drug enforcement community, a teenage carrot to draw out far worse individuals than himself. While his legend has gotten out of control and hyperbolized over the years, in the end he was a small time dealer/government informant who was left to dry. I won't excuse the fact White Boy Rick was a criminal, but the aftermath is where this story is its most interesting. Thirty years for a small time drug crime is utterly ridiculous. The length for most drug offenses in general are an affront to humanity, and Rick payed the ultimate price. This leads to the reason why so many refuse to help the police or other law enforcement, and even for a fastidious person like myself the punishment does not fit the crime. Anyway, this is a very well put together and taut documentary that doesn't dawdle with the facts or the pace. It perfectly illustrates the corruption of higher leveled perpetrators and the aftermath of who really has to do the time for the crime.

Interesting and attention keeping documentary about Rick. He should really be let out of prison.

Thats right, he worked undercover for the FBI, yes he was a young drug dealer, but the FBI didn't give him a choice. I remember the story years ago. Rick was very intelligent, but he was too young to realize he was being used. The FBI didn't come to his trial to set things straight so he could be released or a lesser charge. Goes to show how corrupt the criminal system was at the time, and perhaps even worse now.

An raw look at the the corrupt Detroit political machine and all the hypocritical politicians that drove that city into the ground. White Boy gives insight into a criminal organization that stretched into the highest reaches of the Detroit power structure. Unfortunately, White Boy's story is an important lesson on the political corruption most major American cities contend with to this day.

Growing up in Detroit; YBI till I die was graffitied on shuttered homes. Tony Jack sightings at Paul's Chop House were a thing of substance. People knew Gil Hill for the Beverly Hills Cop films, we knew him because of Damion Lucas. And above all Coleman Young was the MFIC. After Rick Wershe, White Boy Rick was a nick name given to any white boy in the neighborhood who sold a nickel bag, little did we know the reality and intrigue behind the name. This film goes in depth on this urban legend of a story we heard as kids. It's engaging and informative. I had no clue how this story came together and my mind is blown. Amazing documentary.

More proof that the media is completely corrupt and toxic. More proof that the justice system and law enforcement organizations are broken. More proof that "inner city " culture and the "thug life" is a fungus on the ass of life.

Excellent but disturbing documentary on Starz right now, "White Boy Rick". Not to be confused with the fictionalized tv show about the same guy (I will never understand why many people watch unnecessary fictionalized accounts and are bored by documentaries). SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON: Originally sentenced to life for non-violent crimes committed by a juvenile, he's been in prison since 1987 (and is actually scheduled to be released in a couple of weeks) because a hopelessly corrupt political system in Detroit, with the help of the FBI, actually framed him as THE cause for the decline of Detroit! To put Rick's punishment in perspective you will meet a hitman, who says he admitted to 30 murders in court, served 17 years while an actual kingpin of 1980s Detroit served @12 years! Should have been longer, too much content to completely cover in 1 hr 22 minutes. Because it was too short, a lot of info. is jammed into a short period of time and details are left out.

This is a well done documentary and should be seen by anyone that is not already aware of how our government really works. It might be shocking to some people, but it par for the course to anyone that already know how our government works.

Story of a guy who was guilty of selling drugs, lots of murky dirty cop stuff, 17yr old serving 29yrs up to press. All upset and as per normal in these documentaries not one mention of the amount of lives ruined or lost due to the activities of the drug pushers they interview