Crash

1. An example of racism shown by the cop(Matt Dillon) was when he pulled over the tv producer and his wife. He didn't treat them right, didn't supply reasoning for pulling them out of the car, and he mistreated the wife. He probably felt power over them for two reasons. That being, he is a cop and it considered "authority" and because he is white while they are black. However, in the end of the movie when she needs his help, he changed himself very much. I think the idea of him being a police officer kicked in and race didn't apply. This woman had been in an accident and needed help. So without a question he had to calm her down, make peace, and save her. So depending on the situation he was in, portrayed how he acted. I'm glad he didn't let race step into this situation, however ideally, no matter what the situation the race of the person shouldn't matter.

2. In the opening scene of the movie where there was a car accident, things were said like, "call immigration" and "you can't even see over the wheel." These were negative stereotypes grouped with hispanics and asians. Another example was when the white woman associated "gangbanger" and "prison" with the hispanic handyman. She didn't trust him and just assumed he has tattoos and he would give a copy of keys to his "homies." When he heard this he seemed very upset, but not shocked. So many people are used to negative stereoptypes being associated with them and they don't even seem surprised. This upsets me very much.

3. When the tv producer said to the young man, "You embarrass me; you embarrass yourself," I think he means that you are automatically grouped with other people of the same race. If the young man, who is black, commits a crime or is involved in a gang, then other black people would be thought of in a similar way. This happens so much in the U.S. For me personally, i've been attacked for being white and the neighborhood I live in and the one I get attacked on the most is the fact I am Jewish. After the tv producer said this I think the young man really took it in, because later in the movie he did something good for the people in the back of the truck and it seemed like he felt good after doing it.

4. I think certain people see their whole race instead of the specific individuals, because many people judge on first physical appearance. If someone was wearing a suit, holding a briefcase, and was clean cut compared to someone who was wearing baggy pants, had tattoos, and not as clean cut looking, then they are at most times automatically put in a category. How exactly race always fits in actually confuses me. Because I have seen people of different race have the same job and the same position of power. And, I have seen people of different race be at the bottom of the food chain. I think media and stereotypes really contribute to people's automatic placement of entire race. When you look at someone you might think back to something you heard on the news. An example from the movie was that asians can't drive. So, if you hear that enough times, then in your brain you might see an asian driving and just put that stereotype along with them. I think every race has negative stereotypes in some matter and knowing them for your own self, could personally really hurt or bother you. Society in itself could be destructive without really realizing it.

5. I don't believe its natural to be racist in our genes. However, like I said in question #4, media has greatly impacted our society with ideas that aren't always true. The brain has natural instincts and can physically depict differences within skin color, but the negative stereotypes that fall with them, aren't natural. Either kids are taught by their parents or friends, the media, or just generalizations you make about certain kinds of people.

6. I think the two main reasons that race is learned are through media and family/friends. I know one that I always heard on the news when I was younger was bad crimes happening in Chicago. So, I automatically placed "bad" with the city of Chicago and many people living their. Especially, because many parents I know say be very careful while downtown. So, that was something I heard from many people and that I just made a generalization based on the news. Also, whenever I heard about gangs, it seemed that people always made it clear that it was blacks and hispanics. So, if people hear about a gang they will probably make an assumption on the kind of people involved.

7. It's possible to make racism less serious and discussed. But, I don't really see it ending completely. So many people already have their ideas whether strong or not in their minds. However, many people don't show their judgements. But, their are those people who speak freely and make it obvious. I think the more serious cases of racism can end. Maybe if media didn't send out certain messages things could change. But, you still have the impact from family and friends. I think the issue of racism has existed for so long, it is hard to suddenly just change it.