Boyz N The Hood and The Challenges The Black Characters Face

The film, "Boyz 'N the Hood," directed by John Singleton, has the power to transform one's political sensibilities through Singleton's depiction of the black male in a racially prejudiced and poverty stricken culture. In this film, Singleton challenges social, political, and artistic stereotypes by demonstrating the challenges that black boys must endure in the decrepit conditions that consume the inner city of Los Angeles.

As the rough conditions of the ghetto are featured throughout the film, Boyz' concurrently focuses on the inner strength that exists within black families despite the oppression and injustice that surrounds them. The antiviolence messages that are presented in the film serve to expand the viewer's perspective on what life inside the ghetto is truly like. Because Doughboy did not receive the love and discipline that every boy needs, his emotionally complex character resorted to alcohol use and life on the street in order to numb his pain.

The scene at the end of the film where Ricky is shot several times by gang members shows that even though Ricky was determined to be successful, his dreams were cut short because of a culturally unjust, poverty stricken society. The scene where the lead police officer intentionally intimidates Tre with his gun after pulling him over shows that even the police are corrupt. The lead officer was blatantly disrespectful, and viewed Tre and Ricky as part of an anonymous mass of a drug-pushing, gang affiliated blacks just because they are African-American. The scene where Furious Styles says, "Well, how you think the crack rock gets into the country? We don't own any planes. We don't own no ships. We are not the people who are flyin' and floatin' that shit in here. Why is it that there is a gun shop on almost every corner in this community," demonstrates that although he must raise his children in a violent setting, a black man is still capable of educating his son about how alcohol, violence, and drugs can cause disorder within the community.

The film, "Boyz 'N the Hood," directed by John Singleton, has the power to transform one's political sensibilities through Singleton's depiction of the black male in a racially prejudiced and poverty stricken culture. In this film, Singleton challenges social, political, and artistic stereotypes by demonstrating the challenges that black boys must endure in the decrepit conditions that consume the inner city of Los Angeles. In the course of his narrative (mainly through Tre), Singleton wisely presents these various dangers without offering a solution nor accusing anyone. Consequently, this makes for a powerful production that has the capability of resonating with it's viewers.