Summary Of The Movie 'Crash'
Crash Essay
Christian Ortega
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
During two class sessions, we have viewed the movie Crash. In this particular movie, victims and offenders are shown to be victims of racism and end up being shown as a racist under different circumstances. This shows various characters of different backgrounds and ethnicities going through a certain roadblock in their lives due to a personal matter that may be because of a racial thought. About twenty minutes into the movie, two black men, Peter and Anthony see Jean put her arm into Rick's arm and automatically think she did that because of insecurity walking by two black men. In another scene, while getting door locks to be replaced by a Hispanic male, Jean
believes he will maneuver his way into giving away keys to "his other gang members." These two instances can be viewed as the labeling theory. It is the theory of how self-identity and behavior of individuals can be determined or influenced by terms used to classify or describe them (Deviant Behavior p.259). The racial and social tensions that appear in this movie do intertwine with one another and if not, then it is felt upon one character in the deepest way possible. Also, the socioeconomic status of one can affect ones' behavior. For example, Anthony and Peter do seem to not be the wealthiest people around, let alone two black men in a heavily white populated community. Anthony describes public transportation as a way to 'humiliate' black people for having big windows up for everyone to see them riding in a bus. Therefore, the two succumb to a carjacking. Throughout this movie, there were many racial remarks and stereotypes depicted in various ways. After the Jean and Rick were carjacked, they are getting there locks changed by a Hispanic male. Jean refers to him as a 'gangbanger' because of his shaved head, pants running low on his waist and the tattoos he has on his body. This stereotype can be seen as both truth and generalization because MS-13 gang members all have shaved heads with tattoos covering their bodies and sagging pants. However, not all Hispanic males who have shaved heads and tattoos are gangbangers. In another instance, a Persian man, Farhad, is trying to buy a firearm, as the store clerk refers to him as 'Osama'. Because of the way Farhad appears and talks to the clerk, it gives him reason to call him a terrorist name. As before, this is based on both truth and generalization because Osama was a highly wanted terrorist, however not all people who appear middle eastern are terrorists. This movie also depicts a stereotype against cops. When two cops pull over a black Lincoln Navigator because a wife was performing fellatio to her husband while driving, both are sent out of the car. Meanwhile, one cop searches the man's wife while sexually assaulting her in front of him. The man could not do anything but watch only because he did not want to antagonize the cop in which he could have been arrested for. Corrupt cops are everywhere and people are afraid if either they will get a decent cop or one that will dehumanize them. As described above, your religion, gender, race and ethnicity had all played a factor in how a person is seen to be assumed as or thought of. As I viewed this movie, I can say it had opened my eyes to what people really view other ethnicities, races and genders as. My sociological impression of this movie can be seen as how reality depicts the way we view others because of the way they act, look, talk or even dress. People do certain things to make them feel comfortable around other people such as holding someone's hand or walking on the other side of the road. However, these are all actions made by assumptions about other people just to feel a sense of safety.
Christian Ortega
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
During two class sessions, we have viewed the movie Crash. In this particular movie, victims and offenders are shown to be victims of racism and end up being shown as a racist under different circumstances. This shows various characters of different backgrounds and ethnicities going through a certain roadblock in their lives due to a personal matter that may be because of a racial thought. About twenty minutes into the movie, two black men, Peter and Anthony see Jean put her arm into Rick's arm and automatically think she did that because of insecurity walking by two black men. In another scene, while getting door locks to be replaced by a Hispanic male, Jean
believes he will maneuver his way into giving away keys to "his other gang members." These two instances can be viewed as the labeling theory. It is the theory of how self-identity and behavior of individuals can be determined or influenced by terms used to classify or describe them (Deviant Behavior p.259). The racial and social tensions that appear in this movie do intertwine with one another and if not, then it is felt upon one character in the deepest way possible. Also, the socioeconomic status of one can affect ones' behavior. For example, Anthony and Peter do seem to not be the wealthiest people around, let alone two black men in a heavily white populated community. Anthony describes public transportation as a way to 'humiliate' black people for having big windows up for everyone to see them riding in a bus. Therefore, the two succumb to a carjacking. Throughout this movie, there were many racial remarks and stereotypes depicted in various ways. After the Jean and Rick were carjacked, they are getting there locks changed by a Hispanic male. Jean refers to him as a 'gangbanger' because of his shaved head, pants running low on his waist and the tattoos he has on his body. This stereotype can be seen as both truth and generalization because MS-13 gang members all have shaved heads with tattoos covering their bodies and sagging pants. However, not all Hispanic males who have shaved heads and tattoos are gangbangers. In another instance, a Persian man, Farhad, is trying to buy a firearm, as the store clerk refers to him as 'Osama'. Because of the way Farhad appears and talks to the clerk, it gives him reason to call him a terrorist name. As before, this is based on both truth and generalization because Osama was a highly wanted terrorist, however not all people who appear middle eastern are terrorists. This movie also depicts a stereotype against cops. When two cops pull over a black Lincoln Navigator because a wife was performing fellatio to her husband while driving, both are sent out of the car. Meanwhile, one cop searches the man's wife while sexually assaulting her in front of him. The man could not do anything but watch only because he did not want to antagonize the cop in which he could have been arrested for. Corrupt cops are everywhere and people are afraid if either they will get a decent cop or one that will dehumanize them. As described above, your religion, gender, race and ethnicity had all played a factor in how a person is seen to be assumed as or thought of. As I viewed this movie, I can say it had opened my eyes to what people really view other ethnicities, races and genders as. My sociological impression of this movie can be seen as how reality depicts the way we view others because of the way they act, look, talk or even dress. People do certain things to make them feel comfortable around other people such as holding someone's hand or walking on the other side of the road. However, these are all actions made by assumptions about other people just to feel a sense of safety.