What happens in the Hood!

Kenyatta Berryhill

Race and Ethnicity
Simon Weffer
Blog #4

What happens in the Hood!

 

                This movie played a great role under the umbrella of sociology. Boyz n the Hood shows a lot of racism via African American authority figures and just society in itself. Since this movie was filmed in the late eighty’s, color blind racism was probably in existence but it was definitely not disguised at this period. The main issue I spotted is the “Black boy dreams”. According to Bonilla-Silva, “If they are not admitted into a college, it must be because of a minority. This story line allows whites to never consider the possibility that they are not qualified for a job, promotion, or college" (Silva 83).  This statement shows racism blatantly and white people not taking account for their problems. Are African Americans only making it into colleges because of their athletic ability or simply because African Americans have great knowledge about what they are studying. White people will never think the acceptance is via education, so the judgmental mind of a white person would always assume athletics.

                Although that is a problem, it is now just one of many. As I stated the “Black boy dream”, in low income urban neighborhoods every young African American boy has dreams of getting famous through sports. Their ultimate goal is to get their family out of the ghetto and live with no struggles! In this movie, Ricky lived in Compton, California with his mother, brother, son and girlfriend. Ricky main goal was to get out of the hood, by going to college playing football working towards playing in the NFL. One main factor of racism stuck out which was environmental racism. The urban area of Compton, California was proven as the last item on the government priority list. In the movie Tre’s father, spoke to locals in the neighborhood about the things they should do to increase their knowledge and help their own community.

                Overall, Boyz in the Hood is one my favorite movies. It shows the world a lot about what goes down in the urban communities and the factor that times doesn’t make a difference. These specific factors that are happening in this movie in the eighty’s are happening today. Bonilla-Silva as well as our class discussions is just some of the evidence that support all of the actions presented in this movie. My favorite scene in the movie is when Tre father spoke. Sometimes it takes that one individual that lives in the neighborhood to care and help others increase their knowledge. If the media and government won’t help, if has to be taken into African Americans hand themselves. Another factor that played a great role was the character of Ricky. The director proved the typical young black man searching for an outlet for him and his family. He chose sports, not only because he loved the sport, but he knew if that’s the only way then I have to exceed in what only opportunity is given to a guy like him.