Consequences Of The Incarceration Of African Americans
Furthermore, in other major productions, criminal activities captivated the big screen and introduced African Americans as robbers, gangsters, prostitutes, drug dealers, and addicts. Directors would showcase black actors as being aggressive and engaging in disputes with other cast members. These senseless on-screen acts would lead to them violently beating up someone thus further leading to incarceration. By putting a black male or female in jail is a false accusation that all colored people behave in a certain manner and will end up behind bars. After an individual is incarcerated, the stereotypical implication could be that of a gangster. For example, in the 1989 film Harlem Nights, Sugar Ray, played by Eddie Murphy owns a gambling shack.
He is forced to be a gangster and fin off the police to keep the business from going under. This film would go on to set the stage or tone for movies to come later down the timeline such as Boyz in the Hood or Friday. Young men during this time were living in dangerous neighborhoods and forced to carry guns for protection. One had to be mindful of just walking down the street wearing certain colors to prevent gang activities. Statistics showed that one out of every 21 black American males would be murdered at the hands of another black male. (LaSane). As seen in Boyz N the Hood, the three adolescent boys were presented with drugs, alcohol, and violence from their environment and everyday surroundings. One character, Ricky, ends up getting shot and his life is taken from him at a young age. Sadly, a girlfriend is left behind to care for their newborn and is faced with the consequences of this act. The family’s life is changed forever at this point. The other boys are forced to live as gangsters and watch their backs to prevent being the next victims. Unfortunately, the decision that one makes, whether purposeful or not, will have a lasting effect on the lives of themselves as well as others.
He is forced to be a gangster and fin off the police to keep the business from going under. This film would go on to set the stage or tone for movies to come later down the timeline such as Boyz in the Hood or Friday. Young men during this time were living in dangerous neighborhoods and forced to carry guns for protection. One had to be mindful of just walking down the street wearing certain colors to prevent gang activities. Statistics showed that one out of every 21 black American males would be murdered at the hands of another black male. (LaSane). As seen in Boyz N the Hood, the three adolescent boys were presented with drugs, alcohol, and violence from their environment and everyday surroundings. One character, Ricky, ends up getting shot and his life is taken from him at a young age. Sadly, a girlfriend is left behind to care for their newborn and is faced with the consequences of this act. The family’s life is changed forever at this point. The other boys are forced to live as gangsters and watch their backs to prevent being the next victims. Unfortunately, the decision that one makes, whether purposeful or not, will have a lasting effect on the lives of themselves as well as others.