The problem of systemic racism remains a blight on modern society. Amplified by the tragic legacy of slavery and segregation in the U.S., racism is centered in the sociocultural discourse that has percolated into art as the means of addressing this massive injustice. “Straight Outta Compton” is one of the films that tackle the issue of racism masterfully, shedding light on the contemporary manifestations of racist beliefs. By using the biographical drama genre, the movie director has created an emotionally charged movie that conveys the challenges faced by African American people due to systemic racism nowadays.
The choice of the genre and the perfect acting of the case amplifies the core message, appealing to the audiences on an emotional level. For instance, the movie does not shy away from portraying the dark underbelly of the ghetto environment in which the protagonist spent his formative years: “How you go from selling rocks in a dope house to eating dinner in the White House?” (Gray). Describing the incredible rise to fame that the protagonist has experienced, the specified quote also demonstrates the dire circumstances in which a substantial number of African American people live. Furthermore, the contrast in the quote above points to the presence of an underlying complex problem, namely, institutionalized, systemic racism within American society. Thus, while also portraying the incredible rise to fame of the protagonist, ‘Straight Outta Compton’ also outlines complex sociocultural issue that the African American has to face.
By incorporating the elements of biography into the drama genre, Gray managed to depict the complexity of racial relationships in the 1980s U.S., thus, reflecting upon the sociocultural, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical outcomes of the specified phenomenon. The integration of biography elements into the narrative has allowed making the film’s message especially convincing and passionate.
Work Cited
Gray, F. Gary, director. Straight Outta Compton. Universal Pictures, 2015.