I actually know a snarf who said Stringer’s only problem was getting involved with Avon Barksdale. Uh-huh.
Problem with that pussy logic is forgetting that Bell did it to himself. His “only mistake” was going behind his partner’s back, to the point where he trapped himself without an out for Avon to give him.
Avon was a real soldier. Drug-dealing involves death, and Stringer didn’t want to accept that. To eliminate bodies, he said let’s do a co-op. In the short-term and in the bank, it works. Until someone real comes along (Marlo) and kills you (Prop Joe).
Prop Joe and Stringer Bell were always two-timing and double-crossing and it came back to haunt them.
You still don’t get it, do you?
It’s not about your money, brah. Your BOY sold you out.
Avon had to. There was nothing he could do.
Transcript from IMDB.com:
“The Wire: Middle Ground (#3.11)” (2004)
[Omar and Brother Mouzone have Stringer cornered, their guns turned on him]
Stringer Bell: I ain’t strapped. I ain’t involved, yo. I ain’t involved in none of that gangster bullshit.
[both gunmen are silent, Stringer is breathing hard from running]
Stringer Bell: What y’all niggers want, man? Huh? Money?
[however, he just gets more silence]
Stringer Bell: IS THAT IT? Cause if it is, I can be a better friend to y’all alive.
Omar: You still don’t get it, do you? This ain’t about your money, bro. Your boy gave you up. That’s right. And we ain’t had to torture his ass neither!
[Stringer is silent, realizing that Omar now knows he had his lover Brandon tortured and killed. He then looks to Brother Mouzone, and with him there – realizes he now knows he tried to have him killed, and that both men have come for retribution]
Stringer Bell: [regrettably] Doesn’t seem like I could do anything to change y’all minds.
[long silence]
Stringer Bell: Well, get on with it, motherfu…
[Omar and Mouzone shoot him to death]