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Multiculturalism In Film

Brent A. Stone

Ivy Tech

Crim 103

Professor Holsapple

June 26, 2022

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Boyz in the Hood is a 1991 American hood drama film directed by John Singleton and written

by Singleton and Greg Polar. It stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut, Laurence

Fishburne, Nia Long, Regina King, and Angela Bassett. The film tells the story of three young

African-American men in South Central Los Angeles, one of the most gang-infested

neighborhoods in the country. The film became popular for its realistic portrayal of life in South

Central Los Angeles, as well as its exploration of social issues such as racism, police brutality,

and poverty. This along with the well-crafted and rounded plot allows for the viewer to gain

insight into social issues and common perceptions that otherwise would have gone unnoticed or

unknown.

The film centers around a group of young black men in the South Central area of Los

Angeles and the challenges they face growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood. While the

film depicts the struggles of black men in America, it also sheds light on the issues faced by

other minority groups. In particular, the film highlights the discrimination and violence that

Latino immigrants face in the United States. There is no one answer to the question of what

effect the criminal justice system has on the boys in Boyz in the Hood. The film itself offers a

range of perspectives on this issue, from those of the young men who are caught up in the system

to the police officers and lawyers who work within it. What is clear, however, is that the

criminal justice system is a complex and often flawed institution that can have a profound impact

on the lives of those who come into contact with it. The boys in Boyz in the Hood are no

exception, and the film provides a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the effects that

the system can have on young lives. In the movie Boyz in the Hood, we see all three components

of the criminal justice system at work. The police are shown patrolling the streets and responding

to calls for help. The courts are shown adjudicating the cases of those who have been accused of
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crimes. And the corrections system is shown rehabilitating those who have been convicted of

crimes. While the film is set in a specific location, its themes of violence, poverty, and racism are

relevant to many other disadvantaged communities around the world. What makes Boyz in the

Hood particularly unique is its focus on the experiences of black men. This is not a film about

black men as a monolithic group, but rather a film about the unique experiences of black men

living in a specific community. By focusing on the specifics of this community, the film is able

to explore the broader issue of racism and its impact on black men in a more personal and

intimate way.

I was struck by the powerful portrayal of life in South Central Los Angeles. The film

showed the harsh realities of gang violence and the everyday struggle to survive in a community

that is often neglected by the rest of society. It was eye-opening to see how young people are

drawn into a life of crime and how difficult it is to escape that lifestyle once you're in it. Overall,

I was impressed by the film's ability to realistically portray the challenges faced by young people

in inner-city communities. It is a powerful film that sheds light on an often misunderstood part of

society.

One relation the film has to the reading is the concept of group dynamics. In the film, the

main character, Tre, is a member of a group of young African American men who live in the

same hood. This group is united by their shared social identity of being black and living in the

hood. They are also united by their shared experiences, such as growing up in poverty, facing

violence, and experiencing racism. These shared experiences help to create a strong sense of

group cohesion and identity.

The film presents a very negative view of the criminal justice system, which can lead

people to believe that the system is unfair and unjust. This is particularly detrimental to public
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perception of the legitimacy of the criminal justice system, as it can make people less likely to

trust and cooperate with the system.

References

Columbia Tristar. (1991). Boyz In The Hood.

McNamara, R., & Burns, R. (2020). Multiculturalism, Crime, and Criminal Justice (2nd Edition).

Oxford University Press Academic US. https://yuzu.vitalsource.com/books/9780190078669