Crash

For the past few days in class, we have been watching a movie called "Crash". It was a movie about different races and how different people were racist towards one another. The first time Sal told us about this movie, he said it wasn't just about blacks and whites which really made me feel relieved because it seems like all movies that have to do with racism always have to be "black vs. white". This movie, however, had all different kinds of races - black, white, Asian, Hispanic, etc. While watching this movie, I was fascinated at how the different groups were so vulgar towards one another. I never knew Asians could be racist towards whites because it never occurs anymore. Although this movie had some graphic parts, it hit home for me because it was depressing to watch. It showed the different stereotypes that we expect to have in life. I remember during parts of the movie, people would threaten to shoot one another and at some points, it actually happened. What really struck me, though, was when the guy who owned the shop got the little girl. It brought me back to a memory that is almost too painful to remember. My dad told me before I was born he used to live in Chicago (the 'bad' part). and he would tell me how badly he wanted to leave because of all the shootings that were going on. One of his best friends died because someone shot him on his way home. I hate seeing people get hurt - especially if they mean something to me because everyone deserves a chance to live. Even those who were incredibly racist in the movie - like that one guy who was feeling up the one woman on their way home I know exactly how she felt when that man was doing what he was doing because it's happened to me before. When I was a freshman, I wasn't exactly friends with the 'smartest' people around. I became close to two guys - one who I've known since the first grade, and they turned out to be total jerks. I was especially shocked with the guy I've known since first grade because I never expected him to be so explicit with me. I understand that when you grow up, you develop hormones and sometimes they're difficult to control. But for my situation, it got to the point where he would start stalking me and asking for nude pictures of myself. This other guy wanted me to strip down on school grounds and he would start feeling me thighs and rubbing areas that only I should know about. So I knew exactly how that girl felt; it's not a pleasant feeling. Girls are not 'trophy wives' or 'toys' that boys should mess with. We have feelings and when you mess them, we don't take it very well. I really enjoyed this movie. It was something I could relate to (in a way) and even though there were parts I wanted to black out, it was still interesting to watch. I think there are still some racist people out there, but those people could learn to overcome it. I remember in the movie there was one guy who tried so hard not to be racist, but it ended up getting the best of him. And sometimes, this still does occur in life today, but when you're raised in a certain way, where your mom or dad doesn't like certain people because of their skin color or how they do things, you tend to develop the same feelings. It's hard to do, but as I said before, it can be done. Everyone is created equal in my eyes. It doesn't matter what color you are - you are who you are and nothing/nobody can change that.