Diversity In The Movie Crash

The movie Crash, written and directed by Paul Haggins, shows many forms of diversity, stereotyping and racism. Each race is represented throughout the movie and blatantly displays racial discrimination and ethnocentrism. Officer Ryan and Officer Hanson are two characters that stood out in particular. Throughout the movie Hanson is portrayed as the "good" white, male, police Officer and Ryan is portrayed as the "bad" white, male, police Officer. During the movie Officer Hanson, is striving to steer clear of being racist and discriminating. For example, in one scene both Officer Hanson and Officer Ryan pull over a black couple. During the investigation, Officer Ryan is intimidating the couple and they aren't sure how to handle the situation.
At this point, Officer Hanson seems compassionate and insecure, and through changing his partner he in a way redeems himself for staying silent during the incident. After hearing of his former partner's move, Officer Ryan says to him " Just wait until you've been on the job a little longer. You think you know who you are? You have no idea." What this statement means is that the more Officer Hanson is exposed to, the more hardened he will become. Of course this line foreshadows the harrowing events to come. Both Officers are faced with more difficulties and hardships, each dealing with or stemming from some sort of racism and discrimination. In another scene, we are again confronted with two familiar characters. This time it is Officer Hanson and Christine's husband, who is thoroughly disturbed by the incident wwith Ryan. In this scene, the husband is confronted by a carjackers who he consequently kidnaps and takes on a high speed chase. The chase ends when the man is confronted by police officers, two of whom are Officer Hanson and his new partner. At this point, the man is armed and mentally unstable, and the situation seems as though it could turn in to a tragedy in seconds. Officer Hanson reinforces the notion that he is a "good guy" by deeming the man a friend to his
It is a constant battle for a person to establish their own individuality. In, Crash," Officer Hanson does his best to do what he has been taught is right. However, racism seems to be inescapable, and is often instilled into the children. The truth is, Officer Hanson murdered the man because he was black. He assumed the man was reaching for a gun although his actions really gave no indication that he was at all threatening. Officer Hanson made this assumption based on something he had been conditioned to think, but never to speak of: Black people are different than white people, and they are dangerous. When Officer Ryan told Officer Hanson that he did not yet know who he truly was, he never knew how right he was. Officer Ryan is prompted to make this statement because seventeen years of experience has taught him that with power comes corruption. There are certain clear cut distinctions between the two officers. Officer Ryan is introduced to the audience as an abusive, overzealous and racist police officer. He molests a saucy African American woman and seemingly feels no remorse. He actually feels vindicated after his actions. However, he demonstrates his true morals when faced again with the same woman. Officer Hanson initially establishes himself as the good cop when he comes to the aid of the same woman's husband. He puts himself on the line in order to help the man. Yet