Introduction
“Crash” is an American crime drama film featuring a star-studded cast, including Terrence Howard and Ludacris. The Paul Haggis movie covers racial and social tensions in Los Angeles. It weaves together many storylines that explore prejudice, racism, and cultural clashes in the contemporary city. Its plot intertwines the lives of different characters, each dealing with their particular biases and preconceptions.
In this context, cultural identity development (CID) can help understand how people perceive themselves within their backgrounds (Batiste et al., 2022). It involves the evolving processes of identity formation and self-discovery, as well as the effects of external factors on a person’s worldview. This essay explores the influence of CID on the interactions, behaviors, and outcomes of characters in “Crash.” This paper uncovers insights applicable to professional interactions beyond the scope of cultural identity, drawing on Cameron’s integrative awareness stage.
Cameron Thayer (Terrence Howard)
Terrence Howard is an African American TV actor and director with significant roles in various films since the 1990s. Acting as Cameron Thayer in the “Crash,” he is married to a mixed-race woman, Christine. He is a character who goes through many complexities related to racial identity and societal expectations in a society dominated by Whites (Haggis, 2004).
In the film, his pivotal moment is when a racist white police officer pulls him over with his wife. Another one is when Anthony and Peter carjack him. His response to most incidents he encounters throughout the movie highlights his internal struggle to balance his cultural identity with pressures from other aspects of society.
Application of Cultural Identity Development (CID)
The CID Model
CID is a framework that describes how people from lower-status communities develop a sense of self in relation to the superior and their own. This model comprises five stages: conformity, dissonance, resistance and immersion, introspection, and integrative awareness (Maehler, 2022). Each represents a different awareness, behavior, and attitude towards one’s own and other people’s culture.
It is dynamic and fluid because individuals may constantly shift between phases. In this context, Cameron falls in the integrative awareness category. The character lets go of Peter, who carjacks him with Anthony (Haggis, 2004). He has developed a positive and flexible sense of self that is neither defined nor limited by culture.
Conflicts Between Dominant and Non-Dominant Cultures
The CID of Cameron influences his reactions to various circumstances he encounters throughout the “Crash” due to his non-dominant cultural background. His response can be seen in multiple situations, including when a racist police officer pulls him over and when two Black men hijack his car (Haggis, 2004). In each of them, he has to confront stereotypes and prejudices others hold about him.
He also had to face his own internalized racism and self-doubt (Sue et al., 2016). For example, when he comes across Officer Ryan, he stays calm even though he knows that he is being harassed and humiliated because of his race. Instead of resisting or complaining, he decides not to make a scene or jeopardize his career. Moreover, he does not initiate a move when the cop sexually harasses his wife in front of him. Later, he tells Christine that he did everything he could to protect her and avoid further trouble. He shows a high degree of racial awareness, guilt, and anger.
Conflict Within Non-Dominant Cultures
Even though Cameron’s passive and submissive behavior protects him from getting into more trouble, it sometimes fails to do so. In one instance, Anthony and Peter expose him to more violence and discrimination when they carjack him. At this point, he feels very betrayed by people from his racial group who feel he is wealthy and privileged because of the car and clothing. He is now torn between rejecting his own culture and embracing it.
He tells the two young Black men, “You embarrass me. You embarrass yourself” (Haggis, 2004). Their behaviors make him feel helpless and frustrated because he has realized that he has no control over his life or his identity. He tries to chase after them, but a Black officer stops him.
The cop goes ahead to subject Cameron to racial profiling and mistreatment without making any mistakes. He refuses to comply with the cop’s order to get to the ground and snaps through outrage. He expresses himself as one who is ready to die rather than live, while full of fear and shame for being himself.
Implication of Cameron’s CID
Cameron’s CID significantly affects his personal and professional life. For instance, he struggles to balance his cultural identity and social status throughout the film. While he always dreams of being successful and respected in his field, he also wants to be true to himself and his heritage.
He constantly comes across pressures and discrimination from the Whites and, worst of all, from his own people, too. They judge him based on his appearance and behavior, as they relate to his skin color (Vezaldenos et al., 2023). He is compelled to deal with the internal and external conflict arising from his CID. These can include factors like guilt, anger, insecurity, and anxiety.
On the other hand, Cameron’s CID represents his potential growth and empowerment. The daily experiences he encounters offer him opportunities to learn and develop a more positive, integrated sense of self. At this point, Sue et al. (2016) note that one can accept and affirm their cultural identity while also respecting and appreciating others. He can use his voice and the influence he has gained to challenge the injustices and stereotypes he and others encounter vigorously. This effort can help promote a more diverse and inclusive society.
Consideration for Working with Cameron Thayer
As an exemplary actor and director, Terrence Howard serves as a role model for students in film studies. In the film “Crash,” he experiences many hardships because of his skin color. He has to keep himself calm despite being discriminated against and assaulted by racist individuals. He also faces the same from people who belong to his racial background because they think he is privileged (Haggis, 2004). He deals with all these to the extent of deciding that he will never live in fear and shame again.
With sufficient information about his characteristics, anyone working with him must anticipate both challenges and opportunities. He is a complex and dynamic character who has undergone significant changes in his CID. His identity as a black man in a society dominated by Whites has shaped his values, experiences, and goals. Therefore, some factors must be considered when collaborating at work with him:
Stage of Cultural Identity Development
One consideration when working with Terence Howard is understanding his current stage of CID. Based on the CID model in the previous section, Cameron is at the integrative awareness stage. This phase of development involves having a positive, flexible sense of one’s own identity and respecting others’ diversity (Sue & Sue, 2015). Therefore, as one prepares to be his colleague, they have to understand that he is likely to be open-minded, confident, and adaptable in his professional interactions. However, they should also be aware of the challenges he and others in his community face.
Cameron may also have a critical perspective on the Whites that dominated his society, together with their values, norms, and practices. This implies that he might challenge or resist them if he finds them oppressive or unfair. Therefore, working with this character would need more sensitivity to his identity, encounters, insights, and feedback.
Style of Communication
The person preparing to work with Cameron must take time to learn about his communication style. From the film, it is evident that the character’s communication changes with context and audience. His experience in this society dominated by Whites has taught him to navigate different cultural settings and expectations.
He may use different languages, codes, and dialects to communicate with people from diverse groups, including his colleagues, family, and clients (Melendres, 2022). He may adjust his volume, tone, or gesture to suit a given situation. Therefore, working with this individual would require more attention to verbal and non-verbal cues and respect for his linguistic and cultural preferences.
Goals and Expectations
Considering Cameron’s expectations and goals would help me work efficiently with him. Based on his journey throughout the film, personal and professional growth have played a part in what he fights for daily. He always seeks to make an impact on his society and ensure that everyone is treated equally (Haggis, 2004). Despite cultural differences, Cameron will expect recognition, respect, fairness, and opportunities for further development and advancement (Chaudhry et al., 2021). He may also envision creating a more diverse and inclusive work environment and empowering marginalized communities. This implies that working with Terrence would require being trustworthy, honest, and accountable in the professional relationship.
Ethics While Working
Working with Cameron would require a deeper understanding of his work ethic. From “Crash,” it is evident that he handles tasks with passion, ambition, and creativity. This ethic explains why he has achieved success and recognition in his field, unlike others from his community.
Cameron may have a high standard of quality and excellence, as he has always strived to make an impact on society. A sense of social responsibility and justice seems to drive them to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes they encounter (Killian et al., 2023). Therefore, one must consider being supportive of Cameron’s goals and aspirations to have an effective professional relationship with him. They should also be collaborative and cooperative in their projects.
Conclusion
The intricate dynamics of race, societal expectations, and personal growth are evident in the exploration of Terrence Howard’s character in the film “Crash.” The TV director is portrayed in the movies as Cameron Thayer. He exemplifies the challenges and complexities that people from marginalized communities face in societies dominated by Whites. In the CID model, specifically the integrative awareness stage, Cameron is seen as having developed a positive and adaptable self-image that is not influenced by culture. Therefore, while working with him, one should consider numerous factors that define him.
References
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Chaudhry, I. S., Paquibut, R. Y., & Tunio, M. (2021). Do workforce diversity, inclusion practices, & organizational characteristics contribute to organizational innovation? Evidence from the UAE. Cogent Business & Management, 8(1).
Haggis, P. (Director). (2004). Crash. Lions Gate Film.
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Maehler, D. B. (2022). Determinants of ethnic identity development in adulthood: A longitudinal study. Journal of Developmental Psychology, 40(1), 46-72.
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Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2015). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and Practice. John Wiley & Sons.
Sue, D. W., Rasheed, M. N., & Rasheed, J. (2016). Multicultural social work practice: A competency-based approach to diversity and social justice. John Wiley & Sons.
Vezaldenos, V. A., Jacobs, L.-A., & Rivas-Drake, D. (2023). Raising “antiracist disruptors”: Illuminating socialization practices that support antiracism in multiracial households. Race and social problems, 15(1), 79-100.