The movie I decided to watch was “Straight Outta Compton” directed by F. Gary Gray. It is a fictional film which is based upon the true stories of the music group N.W.A. The N.W.A. is an African American rap group who faced racism, censorship, and violence in the United States during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The movie focuses on the growth and evolution of N.W.A. members Ice Cube, Easy-E, and Dr. Dre. A major theme in the movie is the Los Angeles gang culture which was prevalent during the time and had a strong influence in the youth of their respective communities. Racism is depicted throughout the entire movie. Beginning as early as the beginning of the film, Ice Cube sits in a school bus which is held up by a gang of Bloods. Upon
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Dre, the DJ for the group, was the only member to live in the middle class. Unlike the other members, Dr. Dre was able to live a comfortable life; however he still faced issues of racism on a regular basis. While the group is on tour, his brother had gotten himself involved with the local gang. The gang found itself in a brawl with a rival gang which resulted in Dr. Dre’s brother dead (Straight Outta). All African Americans are affected by the racism and violence they are socially trapped to. Racism is indiscriminate and it does not matter weather you are poor or wealthy, everyone in affected group is hindered and endangered by the violence of racism. Moreover, even though Dr. Dre was not poor, large record labels refused to sign him because he was African American. Despite his talent, white Americans were unwilling to hire him because he was African American and produced “black music.” The life of Dr. Dre shows how racism affects even people who have escaped …show more content…
I feel that the movie, though dramatized, displayed accurate representations of the life of an African American during the 1980s. I feel this way because the members of the N.W.A. were present at the filming of the movie. Their presence helped people like me understand the negative effects of racism and how it tore apart families, ruined the lives of children, and trapped the African American People. Dr. Dre lost his brother and left his family in order to pursue his career in music. Easy-E was forced into a life of drug trafficking and was providing for his family and community at a very young age. Ice Cube’s family tried their best to escape poverty, but racism hindered their progress. I would recommend this movie to a student studying Cultural Anthropology because it acts as a gatekeeper, offering insight to historical African American
Dre, the DJ for the group, was the only member to live in the middle class. Unlike the other members, Dr. Dre was able to live a comfortable life; however he still faced issues of racism on a regular basis. While the group is on tour, his brother had gotten himself involved with the local gang. The gang found itself in a brawl with a rival gang which resulted in Dr. Dre’s brother dead (Straight Outta). All African Americans are affected by the racism and violence they are socially trapped to. Racism is indiscriminate and it does not matter weather you are poor or wealthy, everyone in affected group is hindered and endangered by the violence of racism. Moreover, even though Dr. Dre was not poor, large record labels refused to sign him because he was African American. Despite his talent, white Americans were unwilling to hire him because he was African American and produced “black music.” The life of Dr. Dre shows how racism affects even people who have escaped …show more content…
I feel that the movie, though dramatized, displayed accurate representations of the life of an African American during the 1980s. I feel this way because the members of the N.W.A. were present at the filming of the movie. Their presence helped people like me understand the negative effects of racism and how it tore apart families, ruined the lives of children, and trapped the African American People. Dr. Dre lost his brother and left his family in order to pursue his career in music. Easy-E was forced into a life of drug trafficking and was providing for his family and community at a very young age. Ice Cube’s family tried their best to escape poverty, but racism hindered their progress. I would recommend this movie to a student studying Cultural Anthropology because it acts as a gatekeeper, offering insight to historical African American