Confusing 2 Movies Earned a Great Find
Some of the conversations I’ve had sitting around with my friends reminded me so much of some of the conversations the characters had in Boyz n the Hood. Trashing talking, dissing each other, making empty threats, and talking about girls were common things in my youth. Yes, there was generally an “8-ball” or Old English 800 in hand as well. Normally, there weren’t any dominoes or cards, but certainly a beverage. I suppose this is somewhat normal male behavior across all cultures. Oh well, that’s not the point of this blog – anthropology I mean. Let’s look at another classic movie that examines life in gang territory in California.
Recently, while manning a lobby at work, I noticed a man wearing a shirt branded with the Boyz n the Hood poster. I initially confused it with a similar film, Menace to Society. You can read my blog on it here. Boyz n the Hood is more of a documentary than a movie. Based on some books I’ve read, such as Monster by Monster Kody and Life in Prison by Tookie Williams, Boyz n the Hood accurately snapshots what life is like for the youth in gang-ridden neighborhoods. I have blogged about each of these books and linked the title to each blog. I am guilty of taking my easy life for granted. Unfortunately, there are many people who are not as fortunate as many of us are. Boyz n the Hood depicts some things that occur daily in our country.
Observations and Realizations from Boyz n the Hood
Gangs exist all over the world and in all American cities. The seriousness of the lifestyle varies depending on demographics. For instance, there are gangs where I live, and I wouldn’t go looking for trouble with them. However, the gangs in LA are on a whole different level of organized, aggressive, and violent. I’ve talked with several people who have lived in LA neighborhoods and are shocked at how lax life is in my small city compared to the larger city. Young people in gangs are killing each other across the country, and it’s an epidemic, I think. What’s the answer? I think a step in the right direction would be mending fatherless homes, an idea presented in Boyz n the Hood. I don’t claim to have all the answers, and ultimately, many things need to happen.
Fatherhood and Guidance, Themes from Boyz n the Hood
Boyz n the Hood makes this suggestion. Laurence Fishburn’s character is an intelligent fellow who reminded me of Malcolm X or another figure of this nature. He is the father of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character, a business owner, and a military veteran. When Gooding Jr.’s character, Tre, becomes too much for his mother to handle, he is sent to live with his dad. His mother explains that she can’t teach him to be a man. At his father’s house, there are strict rules and discipline, which is important in a young child’s life. Not only does Tre grow up to go to college, avoid gang life, and get out of the hood, but he listens to his dad.
Regarding the fatherless home, let’s look at Ricky’s death. This scene shows the heartbreak of these situations, which I cannot imagine. No one calls an ambulance, and when they finally do, the response time is slow for whatever reason. A mother screams and wails as she holds the lifeless body of her non-gang-affiliated son in her living room. She turns her aggression to her other son and his brother, who is affiliated, and blames him. As this takes place, the wife of the fatally shot Ricky also cries and tries to comfort the screaming toddler who doesn’t realize what is going on. Think about it though; now, there is another child that will grow up in a fatherless home. Not because of divorce but because of murder. Here’s that cycle repeating. How often does this happen?
Tragic Realities Presented in Boyz n the Hood
This is not the only vicious nature of gang life that we see illustrated in Boyz n the Hood though. The thing about a circle is that it never ends. If things are good, this is good, but if they are bad, then it continues forever. A young man named Ricky, who has a bright future in athletics and a child, is shot and killed by gang members. His brother, played by Ice Cube, naturally takes revenge for him. As the movie is ending, the credits explain that a few weeks later Ice Cube’s character is then gunned down in another act of retaliation. One death causes another death, and then revenge is taken for that death. Now, another life must be taken to even the score and on, and on, and on. Monster Kody talked a lot about this in his autobiography that I read.
Revenge for Ricky comes by Kalashnikov rifle is a perfect tool for it. More commonly known as the “AK” or “AK-47”, these assault weapons are made for assault. You can watch a great video on this amazing rifle by Marina Orlova on YouTube here. The AK-47 lays down a lot of fire very quickly and it has a heavy, hard-hitting round at 7.62 x 33mm. The three running men that had killed Ice Cube’s brother in Boyz n the Hood were easy prey for this weapon being fired from his ‘66 Impala. Monster Kody discussed his days on the street before a long stretch in prison and post-release. He mentioned how the weapons that gangs had access to, including AK-47 rifles, were drastically different after he was released from prison.
Talented Cast and Authenticity in Boyz n the Hood
Boyz n the Hood has a great cast list too. The legendary Compton rapper, Ice Cube, was in a lead role, and rightfully so. He grew up in the area, lived the life, rapped about it, and is a natural at portraying it. Laurence Fishburn and Cuba Gooding Jr. are two other well-known actors in this movie. Laurence Fishburn played Morpheus in The Matrix. Cuba Gooding Jr. played the main role in Radio about a football coach at Hannah High School, which is in Anderson, SC, where I live. On a funny note, Grady from Sanford and Son is part of the cast as well. Ice Cube drove one of the many cool cars in Boyz n the Hood, a 1963 Chevy Impala with hydraulics. You can read about this car and others here and the casting here.
Social Commentary
Laurence Fishburn’s character is an intelligent fellow who reminded me of Malcolm X or another figure of this nature. He addresses the local community about a billboard that advertises homes being purchased and the real scheme. Love him or hate him, Andrew Tate explained something similar in an interview I watched recently. Rich people move into an area and build factories, which deplete the area of resources. They then move to the next area rich in resources to repeat the process and leave the poor behind on the destroyed properties. After all, the rich can afford to pack up and leave whereas the poor cannot.
Reflections and Insights
Bill Clinton even commented on Boyz n the Hood and said the following, “…While it was very violent, it had no romance about the violence. That is a movie I would’ve wanted a lot of elementary-age kids in the inner city to see because there was no romance.” It makes no difference if you are a Clinton fan or not; his point is valid. All too often, movies make violence, partying, etc., glamorous, and the youth imitate what they see on the screen. Boyz n the Hood was very blunt and realistic about violence, especially in gang-rich cities. Dead bodies sometimes rot in the streets, stray bullets sometimes kill toddlers as they sleep in their cribs, and sometimes young people who are actively trying to escape become the next victim in retaliation. Like Afroman said, “You quit your gang, but we ain’t never quit ours.”
Personal Perspectives
I’m fortunate that I have not had to grow up in areas where gang violence was a problem. The closest experience I’ve ever had with this was in a subdivision I lived in with my wife and daughters. A 16-year-old had decided to get out of a local gang, so they shot at his house a few times. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the event. For some people, this is an everyday thing. The scene where the female character screams and cries in frustration because her homework is interrupted by gunfire says it all, I think. She’s trying her best to better herself to escape the horror of the community outside her window. As they mention in the movie, “bullets don’t have names on them” – in other words, sometimes stray bullets kill innocent people.
Boyz n the Hood Has Some Eye-Opening Realism
Boyz n the Hood wasn’t a documentary necessarily, but in many ways it was. This movie was eye-opening. I couldn’t help but think of Menace to Society when watching Boyz n the Hood though. Both are gritty, real movies that show the underbelly of our society. It took 28 clips on YouTube to get through this one, so the viewing was frustrating. The movie, however, was great. I’m not gang-affiliated, but based on what I’ve read, I find this movie accurate and intriguing. I would certainly watch this one again. While you’re on my page, read more blogs here, check out my art here, consider buying some of it, and link up with me on social media here. Keep your eyes on my social media because there is some Menace to Society fan art on the way. Peace.