The movie “Boyz n the Hood” is a significant piece that describes the hardships of African-American youths in South Central Los Angeles. It is a guide on what the right way to live is and how to treat others. One of the major themes is that a crime-driven community forces teenagers to get involved in criminal life early on, to survive. This fact is based upon the issue of oppression and limits that were set on the “black” population in America. The problem is that no matter how hard people try, often it is hard to avoid this sort of life. But, there are always exceptions and this movie depicts hope and power of determination and strong will, which can change things around.
The community that is filled with crime and corruption is a cesspool and is hard to avoid. The movie shows a community that is run by gangs and corrupt police and other authorities. In reality, there are several causes for this. Very early on, children are susceptible to negative influence. They grow up in neighborhoods where crime is the predominant force. The laws are unable to regulate the society where guns decide everything. Young individuals go to school and are susceptible to peer influence. The attractive nature of gangs absorbs people. The easiness and quickness with which power and wealth can be accumulated are very hard to resist. If a child wants to lead a lawful and responsible life, they are often put down and picked on by their peers, as being “mamma’s boy” or “soft spined”. This form of pressure almost always has an immediate effect on the psyche of a person (Branch 205). The environment that a child grows up in is very influential on their future life. When a person sees how their family suffers, they feel the need to do something. Often, a single parent experiences difficulty in raising a child and paying for food and shelter, spending many hours working, so it is evident that there is very little time to spend child-rearing. The values and behaviors that a child learns early on are very important. Character forms in the beginning years of life and it is very hard to change later. The movie portrays how uneasy it is to “get out” of an unhealthy way of life, even when such want exists.
The reasons that led to this sort of environment in the “hood” are unfair conditions that society has created for minorities and more specifically African-Americans. For a very long time, there was oppression from the “white” society. When African-Americans were brought into America as slaves, they have always been treated as inferior to others. The denial of rights and freedoms has caused much anger and violence in the later years. Since the civil war and Martin Luther King, there has been a demand to accept African-Americans as equals. Society has come a long way since then but it is evident there was still much oppression that went on in the ’90s and is present even today. The movie shows how the African-American community is secluded from the rest of the world. The race has become such a factor that even police officers treat their “people” as of lower status, compared to others. This can be seen in the movie when Furious calls the police about the burglary. The African-American police officer treats Furious with disrespect and superior behavior. He is shown as being an authoritative power-hungry man who hates “his kind” (Boyz n the Hood). One of the greatest problems is the system that treats African-Americans in a predisposed and stereotypical manner. Very often, law authorities resort to racial profiling and thus contribute and reinforce the negative statistics and views of the rest of society. The work market is also slanted to the negative side. Employees are less likely to hire an African-American because of the constant negative attributes that are forced onto the population. Recently, there have been many changes in the system and the treatment of African-American people. Unfortunately, this does not fully prevent discrimination. It is rooted very deep in society and so, the young generation must make changes that give everyone an equal chance with fair and responsible judgment (Dagbovie 20).
“Boyz n the Hood” depicts how hard it is to avoid the negative influences of peers and society but, at the same, it shows hope. Tre is an example that a person, who is determined and has the right support, can reach anything they set their mind to. His father, Furious, grew up in a harsh environment and so, he explains to Tre that the life of violence and crime is not the right way to live. This makes an impression on Tre and his positive thinking is supported. Tre is determined to move away from the negative influences of the crime-driven community and lead a better life. He understands that the key to this is education and he must do everything in his power to acquire one. In the movie, it is shown that Tre is an intelligent person. When he gets into the right environment, he begins to reach success in school and his understanding of the world around him. This becomes the base for his determination and strong will, to create a responsible way of life. Throughout the movie, it is possible to see that sometimes he is shown to be naive and soft-hearted. But reason and a kind heart always take the right direction. The same principles must be abided by in real life. Close to the end of the movie, when the gang goes to avenge the killing of their friend, Tre is shown as hesitant. The feelings of revenge and “the right way to do things” fight with one another. Finally, Tre decides that he must be above this negativity and does not go through with the drive-by shooting (Boyz n the Hood). The moral of the movie is that sometimes, it is very difficult to stay on the right track. But Tre is an example that it is possible and anyone can accomplish anything they set their mind to.
American society strives towards the best treatment of people and the highest rights and freedoms for everyone. The goals set are very optimistic but many obstacles in life will prevent people from attaining them. The movie proves that when people work together and are focused on fairness and equality for all, this dream can become the reality. The environment is a very strong force and the political system is not perfect, so it is up to individuals and communities to do their part, in changing the world to be a better place for everyone.
Works Cited
Boyz n the Hood. Ex. Prod. Steven Nicolaides. Los Angeles, Cal: Columbia Pictures. 1991. Film.
Branch, Curtis. Adolescent Gangs: Old Issues, New Approaches. Philadelphia: Psychology Press, 1999. Print.
Dagbovie, Pero. African American History Reconsidered. Michigan: University of Illinois Press, 2010. Print.