A Big Shot Smash Analysis

One of the main characters, Smash, makes the correct decision to go on strike and returns at the correct time because of Coach Magill’s dehumanizing comments, the lack of a full-hearted apology, and the needs of Smashes African American teammates. In the beginning of the film, Coach Magill, when being interviewed after the team’s big win at states says that Smash and several of his other black teammates are “junk yard dogs”. The moment he compared black people to animals is where the conversation crossed the line. It is at this point in which the conversation with the reporters changes from lighthearted to racist. This comment is dehumanizing and it is completely understandable how the African American community at Dillon High School reacted.
When Smash confronts the coach about his remarks the coach dismisses him and yells at him. If Magill had handled this situation in a more effective and mature manner Smash would not have needed to go on strike. The fact that the community was so worked up about Magill’s remarks was a very pressing reason for Smash to lead the strike, given that he is one of the captains of the team. Going on strike was important for the African-American community at Dillon because of the lack of acknowledgement of the racial issues, but Smash made the correct decision to reunite his team and bring everyone back to play in the game. Numerous team members were concerned about losing scholarships and facing other issues due to not playing in the game and making the decision that everyone will come back together is very powerful. It stated that they are united. If a few of the team members would have lost their cool and returned individually it would have come off as giving in, but the fact that every single one of them returned to the team together was powerful. Returning to the team was important was because it gave Smash the opportunity to speak to