Gene V. Gandelman
Lesson Six: Violence—A Way Of Life In The American City
Objective Students will gain insight into contemporary urban life and the cause and effects of human interaction.
Class discussion and writing exercise of a film with graphically depicts contemporary, American inner city life. The 1991 movie “Boyz ‘n the ‘Hood” is perhaps the most valid video presentation ever produced that deals with modern day-to-day life in urban ghetto neighborhood, especially for young people. The video tape is available in nearly every video store and in many local libraries. Many students have private copies available. Although the language and some scenes are extremely graphic, they are not unfamiliar to today’s youth. If a teacher wishes not to view this film in class, he or she can still use this lesson because an extremely high percentage(upwards of 90%) of urban youth have already seen the film.
Questions for Discussion or Writing:
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1. What role does their environment play in influencing the lives of people (adult and youth) in the ‘hood’? Let the discussion lead to explorations of the potential and negative environmental factors in the neighborhood.
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2. Why are the leading characters first shown in the mid 1980’s as small children? What is the significance of the clash between older and younger boys? (In the beginning they are innocent and unspoiled. They are soon taught that might is the only right.)
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3. What is the significance of the body in the bushes at the beginning of the story? (It signifies the lack of respect for life which progresses to the point where taking a life means little or nothing.)
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4. What happened to Doughboy from 1984-1991? What does his character represent? (He starts stealing as a young child and spends the next five or six years in and out of reform school. He represents the end of innocence and the transformation into a dangerous sociopath.)
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5. What is the significance of Ricky’s role? (He represents the aspiring athlete who is trying to get out on his football skills. He is the film’s most innocent victim.)
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6. What does Trae’s character represent? (He is the “good kid” who doesn’t want to hurt anyone, even his best friends’ killers.)
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7. What does the movie say about parental responsibility? (If you have a child, you have to support it like Ricky did. You have to do everything possible to protect your children from danger as Trae’s father tried to do.)
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8. Why is the role of the Black police officer significant? (this shows the intense violence and hatred often displayed by a member of one race towards his own. It is an especially sad commentary.)
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9. What does the movie say about guns and kids in the ‘hood? (It says that everyone either has one or can easily get one.)
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10. How many youths make it out of the “hood” and go on to college like Trae did? (Very few, about one in ten according to government statistics.)
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11. What is the overall message that this movie tries to send? (Life in the ghetto is like living in a war zone with everyone armed, angry and ready to fight.)
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12. What are some of the comparisons and contrasts between Los Angeles and New Haven?
