MIL TWO Speaker Notes

The film Boys in the Hood was groundbreaking for black filmmakers and aimed to increase peace in black communities while addressing systemic racism. However, violence and shootings at some theaters led to the film being criticized for glorifying violence. The movie actually highlighted the reality of systemic racism and violence in communities like South Central LA. Conflict theory, functionalist theory, and interactionist theory can all be used to analyze the film. Conflict theory questions the creation of underprivileged communities like South Central LA and the limited resources available. Functionalist theory emphasizes the interdependence of societies and the impact of poverty on the functioning of the rich. Interactionist theory shows how individuals are shaped by their experiences and interactions within society. Using sociological theories helps convey a specific message and understand social issues. The speaker's career goal is to advocate for underprivileged families in the f When the film Boys in the Hood was released, it was a historical moment for black filmmakers in Hollywood and groundbreaking to society to have the black experience shared with everyone. The film's overall message is truly to increase the peace in the black communities, but also to call attention to systemic racism. When the film was released nationwide, the theaters were selling out. Overall the message was hitting, and the producers were so happy, saying to each other, oh my god, it worked, it worked. Quickly the tone changed when violence and shootings started to break out in some theaters. The message of the movie was now being missed, and people were saying the film glorified violence. They felt the movie was racially charged and encouraging black people to become violent, which to me makes no sense. This to me just shows how relevant this movie is about what is happening in areas like South Central LA. This movie wasn't encouraging violence. This film was highlighting what was really happening in neighborhoods that are experiencing systemic racism. The violence is happening in these communities with or without this movie being made. One of the producers, Alan, said the reason the movie was made was because we wanted to make a statement about kids in these situations, and through Trey's journey, making the right choice. This film was to show that there is a way out, and it was to show that these black communities around the nation that are suffering from the same social issues as racism, violence, drugs, poverty, are not alone. The message was to shine a light on that communities like this do exist, and it doesn't need to be like this. If this film was written about white people, and violence broke out in the theater, would it be called a racially violent, charged film, or would it be just a coincidence? I think conflict theory, functionalist theory, and interactionist theory can all be used to analyze Boyz Mah Hood. Conflict theory being all about money and power, you question how South Central LA was created to be an all-black community with limited resources in the first place. The powers and the city planners who created this community, along with the law enforcement who aren't there to serve and protect for anyone throughout that film. South Central LA has limited job employment opportunities, which then puts an emphasis on being on welfare. Welfare is the money and the power over people. It's there to keep you alive, fed, and paying rent, but with no component to motivate you to find a job that pays better because the jobs aren't there. This is the power over the people in these communities, keeping them in the system, and keeping South Central LA dysfunctional. If you were to look at Boyz Mah Hood through the eyes of a functionalist theory, each society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning. The rich cannot function without the poor. Capitalism cannot function without consumers. The property value of one neighborhood is determined by another. You cannot have one without the other. The systems we have created for the rich to get richer would fail without the impoverished families. For example, in the film, who is buying the drugs, who is selling them, and how do the drugs get into this community? Moving on to interactionist theory among societies, individuals learn about society through interaction. The society is created by experiences of interaction. Generational poverty and trauma are shaping the minds of these boys throughout the film. What these kids are seeing daily is what is shaping their minds and their decisions. Without a sound mind and guidance of a parent or guardian, it is so easy to go down the wrong path. The film depicts this through the relationship between Trey and his father, Furious. I think the point of using any sociological theory is to get your point across of what message you're trying to convey. Just like when you're forming a survey for a study, you have the power of controlling the study's outcomes through questions asked. I usually gravitate towards using conflict theory with most of my social science papers I write. We are never escaping the money and power, and it is relevant to anything we are looking at in any society. Conflict theory will always be perpetual among societies, especially the underprivileged and racially discriminated against communities. With my career goals in mind, I have always been inspired to help those that are being discriminated against. This discrimination happens everywhere and amongst all communities. I wish I could hit it all, but unfortunately I am only one person, which forces us to pick a part of the discrimination that brings you passion, and to put all your efforts in calling attention to it. Mine has always been infertility and fertility options for lower middle-income families. It really shouldn't be a privilege to have a child. It truly is a right. Conflict theory is applied to this topic when I'm analyzing it. The fertility world has turned into a real cash cow, and will only continue to get worse. My career goal is to work as a liaison for the underprivileged families that don't have $100,000 put aside to have a baby, but that are more than capable of affording a child and raising them in a loving home. I want to be able to advocate and run a non-profit organization to get the funds that are needed to be able to help these families have the baby they deserve to have. I think using any sociological theory is inevitable for analyzing anything to do with society and people. We are all a product of our environment. There is no way around it. Using a sociological theory just helps structure your point and get you to the answers you're looking for.